SD48 - Developing, Implementing and Evaluating School Health Programs


Executive Summary:
During the 1994 session, the General Assembly of Virginia proposed legislation to establish a Blue Ribbon Commission on School Health. This Commission was established to collaborate in developing, implementing, and evaluating school health programs in the Commonwealth. The Commission was appointed in July and had their summit meeting in December 1994. It was at this summit meeting that the recommendations to the General Assembly were completed and ratified.

The Blue Ribbon Commission on School Health recommends that school health programs in Virginia be studied in depth during 1995. The Commission has prepared the following workplan that outlines the course of action for this study. In accordance with this workplan, the following objectives will be studied and reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Commission on School Health:

Objective #1: Identify existing state school health programs

In accordance with Senate Joint Resolution 155, for the purposes of this study a comprehensive school health program is composed of the following nine components: 1) health education, 2) health services, 3) healthful school environment, 4) parent/community involvement, 5) counseling, 6) psychological and social services, 7) nutrition services, 8) physical education and 9) health promotion for staff.

It is the intention of the Commission to review objectives of current school health programs and identify the cost of each school health program. Further study will identify the content of typical regional school health programs. As in any comprehensive study, the Commission will identify the perceived benefits received from each school health program and identify any concerns associated with school health programs. This objective is scheduled for completion by March 27, 1995.

Objective #2: Analyze existing state school health programs

The Blue Ribbon Commission on School Health will also devote much time to the analysis of all comprehensive school health programs. The quality and efficacy of each program will be studied. Also, the benefits and the concerns of each program will be addressed. Finally, the Commission will analyze the need for and cost of each program and determine additional issues concerning each program.

It is the intention of the Commission to develop a quality standard for evaluating each program's effectiveness. A cost/benefit analysis for each school health program will be compiled with a complete analysis of the amount of effort needed to implement each program. The Commission will assess parental views of existing school health programs and analyze any pertinent statutory characteristics associated with school health programs. This objective is scheduled for completion by April 24, 1995.

Objective #3: Evaluate the performance of school health programs

The Commission will evaluate the findings of internal and existing studies of school health programs, to measure the performance of school health programs and analyze the factors underlying school health program performance. The evaluation will also assist in the development of strategies for addressing poorly performing programs. This objective is scheduled for completion by May 27, 1995.

Objective #4: Identify and address issues of specific groups of stakeholders

An important aspect of this study is the identification of issues and concerns held by citizens. Therefore, public hearings and community forums will be held during 1995 to determine issues and concerns of students, parents of students, educators working with students, and recent graduates statewide. This objective is scheduled for completion by June 26, 1995.

Objective #5: Formulate the needs of stakeholders

Upon completion of the above objectives, the Commission will determine and compile the needs of students, parents of students, educators who work with students, and recent graduates. This objective is scheduled for completion by July 17, 1995.

The results of this intensive study of Virginia's school health programs will be compiled into a report to the Governor and General Assembly. The Commission will then present its findings and recommendations concerning Virginia's school health programs to the Governor and Members of the General Assembly at the beginning of the 1996 session.