School Health Education Clearinghouse

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Six Preventable Behaviors, Benefits of Coordinated School Health Programs, What Schools Will Need to Develop and Sustain a Coordinated School Health Program, Working Toward Coordinated School Health Programs, HIV/AIDS Content Notice, Training Modules

Eight Components of a Coordinated School Health Program

Comprehensive School Health Education. This classroom instruction addresses the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of health; develops health knowledge, attitudes, and skills, and its tailored to each age level. It is designed to motivate and assist students to maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, and reduce health related risk behaviors.

Physical Education. This instruction that promotes lifelong, safe, physical activity. It is designed to develop basic movement skills, sports skills, and physical fitness, as well as to enhance social and emotional abilities.

School Health Services. These are preventative services, education, emergency care, referral, and management of acute and chronic health conditions. They are designed to promote the health of students, identify and prevent health problems and injuries, and ensure care for students.

School Nutrition Services. These services integrate nutrition education, nutritious and appealing meals, and an environment that promotes healthy dietary behaviors for all children. They are designed to maximize each child’s education and health potential for a lifetime.

School Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services. These activities focus on the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social needs of individuals, groups, and families. They are designed to prevent and address problems and to facilitate learning and healthy behaviors and development.

Healthy School Environment. This is the physical, emotional, and social climate of the school. Designed to provide a safe physical plant as well as a healthy and supportive environment that fosters learning.

School-Site Health Promotion for Staff. This includes assessment, education, and fitness activities for school faculty and staff. It is designed to maintain and improve the health and well-being of school staff who serve as role models for students.

Family and Community Involvement in Schools. These are partnerships among schools, families, and community groups and individuals. They are designed to share and maximize resources and expertise in addressing the healthy development of children, youth, and their families.

The following materials were used with permission to create this section: Health Is Academic; A Guide to Coordinated School Health Programs. Edited by Eva Marks and Susan Frelick Wooley, with Daphne Northrop. New York: Teachers College Press, 1998.
Talking About Health Is Academic; Six Workshop Modules For Promoting A Coordinated Approach To School Health. Copyright © 1999, Education Development Center, Inc.

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