The curriculum review committee could be the entity that completes the HECAT analyses and appraisals of curricula. It may also be a decision-making body that reviews and acts on reports from other committees that have completed analyses using the HECAT appraisal instruments.

No, the most knowledgeable person(s) in the specific topic area should complete that section of the HECAT. The committee should consist of members with a broad range of expertise, and members should review only the HECAT components for which they are most qualified. For example, parents are invaluable in completing the Acceptability Analysis but may be less able to review the Skill Application. All members of the curriculum review committee should, however, receive and review the results of the entire HECAT analysis prior to making curriculum recommendations.

It is important to select committee members who have the necessary expertise to complete the HECAT analysis. For example, someone with research expertise should complete the Accuracy Analysis (e.g., a university researcher). Or someone with scientific expertise could complete the content review of a specific area (e.g., a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) for the topic “healthy eating”). Identify these experts prior to beginning the curriculum review, and limit their assignments, if desired, to areas of the HECAT for which they have expertise.

Since the HECAT addresses only health education, the CDC’s School Health Index (SHI) can be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a school’s policies and programs related to health and safety.