1. Use of the School Health Index Self-Assessment and Planning Guide to Support Changes in School Health Policies and Practices
Melissa L. Fair1,2, MPH & Alicia R. Powers3, PhD
1University of South Carolina, LiveWell 2Greenville, 3Furman University
School Health Index (
The School Health Index (SHI) is an online self-assessment tool created by the CDC in partnership with school administrators and staff, health experts, parents, and national non-governmental health agencies. Its purpose is to
Identify strengths and weaknesses in health and safety policies and practices
Help schools set goals for potential physical activity and nutrition policy, environment and system changes
Enable schools to develop a plan for improving student health using results from the self-assessment and goal setting strategies
Results (
School Health Index Elementary School Results (n=35)
Learning Module
Mean SD
Min
Max
Percentage
Nutrition Services
4.86
0.36 4 5
97.2%
Health and Safety Policies and Environment
4.54
0.51
90.8%
Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
4.53
0.66 3
90.6%
Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs
4.46
0.56
89.2%
Health Services
4.38
0.60
87.6%
Family and Community Involvement
3.97
0.89 2
79.4%
Health Education
3.57
1.01
71.4%
Health Promotion for Staff
2.97
1.20 1
59.4%
SHI Composite Score
33.28
5.79 22 40
83.20%
School Health Index Middle School Results (n=7)
Learning Module
Mean SD
Min
Max
Percentage
Nutrition Services
4.29
0.95 3 5
85.8%
Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
1.11 2
Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs
0.76
Health Services
Health and Safety Policies and Environment
3.86
0.90
77.2%
Health Education
3.71
1.06 1
74.2%
Family and Community Involvement
3.00
1.16 4
60.0%
Health Promotion for Staff
1.86
1.22
37.2%
SHI Composite Score
29.59
8.11 16 38
73.98% (
Completed by school wellness teams in 85 elementary, middle, and high schools in a large southeastern school district during the academic year
18-member team of health/physical education educators trained in SHI, assisted each school wellness team in SHI self-assessment, goal setting and planning
Schools received a $1,000 stipend to aid in achieving plan
Methods
School Health Index High School Results (n=7)
Learning Module
Mean SD
Min
Max
Percentage
Nutrition Services
4.71
0.49 4 5
94.2%
Counseling, Psychological and Social Services
4.29
1.11 2
85.8%
Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs
Health Services
3.86
0.90 3
77.2%
Health and Safety Policies and Environment
3.71
0.76
74.2%
Family and Community Involvement
3.00
1.41 1
60.0%
Health Promotion for Staff
2.29
45.8%
Health Education
2.00
40.0%
SHI Composite Score
28.15
7.68 18 36
70.4% (
Analysis
Schools received a percentage score in one of five categories for each of the eight modules: 0-20%, 21-40%, %, 61-80%, %
Each module was assigned a value 1 to 5 based on percentage score category to calculate composite score for each school and means for school types
A composite score for each school was created by summing the values across all eight modules and dividing by the maximum number of points (40)
Schools were stratified by type (elementary, middle, high) to determine descriptive statistics
Important Findings
Across all school levels, nutrition services received the highest scores, which is likely related to a county-wide school lunchroom initiative first implemented in
Across all school levels, scores were consistently lower in health promotion for staff, health education, and family and community involvement
Composite SHI scores decreased with increasing school level
No significant differences found in school-level SHI scores by lunch status or racial composition
Findings from SHI provide valuable evidence to allow school districts to identify priority areas of intervention
Potential to inform teacher/staff continuing education based on school needs
District level policies and practices and resource provision targeted at identified need areas may be supportive of healthier school environments
Future Implications
Future Implications