Introduction -- Instructions for site coordinator -- Module 1: School health and safety policies and environment -- Module 2: Health education -- Module 3: Physical education and other physical activity programs -- Module 4: Nutrition services -- Module 5: School health services -- Module 6: School counseling, psychological, and social services -- Module 7: Health promotion for staff -- Module 8: Family and community involvement -- Planning for improvement -- Resources -- Glossary

Promoting healthy and safe behaviors among students is an important part of the fundamental mission of schools, which is to provide young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. Improving student health and safety can: increase students' capacity to learn; reduce absenteeism; improve physical fitness and mental alertness. The School Health Index (SHI) is a self-assessment and planning guide that will enable you to: identify the strengths and weaknesses of your school's policies and programs for promoting health and safety; develop an action plan for improving student health and safety; involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving school policies, programs, and services. There is growing recognition of the relationship between health and academic performance, and your school's results from using the SHI can help you include health promotion activities in your overall School Improvement Plan.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection