Significance: This study is the first comprehensive assessment of the policies, organization and attributes of school health education in Texas. Results of the Texas School Health Education Profile will be used to monitor school health and develop preservice/inservice training for health education teachers.Design: Systematic equal probability sampling with a random start was used to select schools for the School Health Education Profile (SHEP). The survey instrument was mailed to a representative sample of 505 secondary school principals and lead health teachers in Texas public schools, grades 6-12, in March 2000. Return rate of the surveys was 67% (340) for principals and 64%(321) for lead health teachers. Among the variables studied in this survey were: school health course content, polices regarding HIV/AIDS and tobacco use, attributes of health education courses, and teacher training. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: The vast majority (84%) of surveyed schools required health education, yet only 36% of surveyed schools had a health education teacher to coordinate the required health course and 7% of the schools did not have anyone who coordinated school health education. Only 30% of the schools used the National Health Education Standards as guidelines for developing health curricula. Almost all (99%) of surveyed schools had adopted school policies prohibiting smoking on the school campus and 94% had written policies for responding to violent episodes at school. Less than 42% of surveyed schools had a written policy concerning issues related to students and faculty with HIV/AIDS. Staff development workshops for health content and teaching methodologies most received by teachers did not match the staff development workshops that were most preferred by health teachers. Lead health education were more likely to have a degree in another subject area rather than health education: 46% in combined health and physical education, 13% in physical education, 10% in science, 9% in health education and 22% in other curriculum areas. It is recommended that Texas curriculum writers use the National Health Education Standards in the development of health curriculum for Texas students. Secondary schools should use certified and qualified trained health education teachers to coordinate and teach school health education. Schools are to be commended for having policies in place that prohibit use of tobacco by faculty and staff and for responding to violent episodes. It is recommended that all schools adopt written policies regarding issues related to HIV/AIDS. Keyword(s): curriculum development, professional preparation, research