School Health Index
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Introduction
The School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2017 is an online self-assessment and planning tool (also available in a downloadable, printable version) that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs. It’s easy to use and completely confidential.
The SHI was developed by CDC in partnership with school administrators and staff, school health experts, parents, and national nongovernmental health and education agencies to
- Enable schools to identify strengths and weaknesses of health and safety policies and programs.
- Enable schools to develop an action plan for improving student health, which can be incorporated into the School Improvement Plan.
- Engage teachers, parents, students, and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors and better health.
The SHI is based on CDC’s research-based guidelines for school health programs, which identify the policies and practices most likely to be effective in reducing youth health risk behaviors.
Self-Assessment & Planning Guide
The School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2017 (and related materials) is available as an interactive, customizable online tool or downloadable, printable version.
The SHI has two activities to be completed by teams from your school: the eight self-assessment modules and a planning for improvement process:
- The self-assessment process brings members of your school community together to discuss what your school is already doing to promote good health and to identify strengths and weaknesses. The SHI assesses the extent to which your school implements the types of policies and practices recommended by CDC in its research-based guidelines for school health and safety policies and programs.
- After you complete the self-assessment process, you will identify recommended actions your school can take to improve its performance in areas that received low scores. The SHI will guide you through a simple process for prioritizing recommendations. More
Download the School Health Index (SHI)
SHI 2017 Features
- Updated to align with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.
- Two new modules added on Social and Emotional Climate and Physical Environment.
Action for Healthy Kids
Action for Healthy Kids has adopted CDC’s School Health Index as its assessment tool for schools to implement policies and practices that can help students stay healthy and ready to learn. The SHI includes an online action plan and a readiness estimate for the Healthier US School Challenge. Access Action for Healthy Kids’ School Health Index to complete the information and learn about school grants for healthier kids.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program has adopted CDC’s School Health Index as its assessment tool to help schools assess their current policies and practices as well as track progress over time. Learn more about how to complete the School Health Index for the Alliance’s Healthy Schools Program.
SHI e-Learning Course
This course introduces you to CDC’s School Health Index: Self-Assessment and Planning Guide. After this course, you will be ready to conduct or participate in a self-assessment and create a plan to improve the health of students in your school or district.
This course will help you:
- Understand the School Health Index modules.
- Identify the steps for implementing the School Health Index.
- Learn the process for conducting a self-assessment and plan for improvement.
Note: The SHI eLearning course is currently in the process of being updated and revised to reflect the features in the School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2017 and include alignment with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, and two new modules added on Social and Emotional Climate and Physical Environment. The revised course will be available in early 2018.
- Page last reviewed: October 10, 2017
- Page last updated: October 10, 2017
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