Slide III-1

Drafting and Revising School Policies

  • The state of health-related policies in today's schools
  • The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS)
  • The pediatrician's role in influencing school policy
  • An exercise: Assisting a school with emergency care policies
Slide III-2

FAQs About School Policies

  • Who maintains the school health policies?
  • Who develops school health policies?
  • How are the parameters for school health policy established?
  • What are some typical areas covered in school health policies?
  • What are some critical issues in school health that require policy?
Slide III-3

The School Health Policies
and Programs Study (SHPPS)

  • Conducted by CDC-DASH in 1994, 2000
  • Provides information about how school policies and programs relate to causes of morbidity, mortality, and social problems
  • Includes mailed surveys and on-site interviews
Slide III-4

In Middle and Senior High Schools,
Policies are Available in:

  • 97.3% to prohibit tobacco use
  • 49.1% to create a smoke-free environment
  • 97.2% to prohibit alcohol and drug use
  • 90.7% to prohibit violence
  • 77.2% on HIV infection
  • 89.4% to require documentation before administering medications
Slide III-5

Steps to Influencing School Policy

  • Talk to students and parents.
  • Visit the schools.
  • Attend school board meetings.
  • Read local newspapers for reports on health-related school issues.
  • Talk to teachers, principals, superintendents, or school board members.
Slide III-6

Resources

  • Position within the community
  • The media
  • AAP chapter leadership
  • Coalitions of others interested in school health
  • Literature searches and data from the CDC or other federal agencies
  • Policy statements of the AAP and the NASN
  • Sample school policies from the NSBA
Slide III-7

Assisting With Emergency Care Policies

  • Issues to Consider
    • State laws
    • Training of staff, union issues, and how to handle standing orders
    • Qualification of staff in terms of assessment, interventions and management
    • Response of the emergency medical services team
Slide III-8

Assisting with Emergency Care Policies

  • Case Scenarios
    • A student with peanut allergy
    • An elementary school student with diabetes
    • A high school student with asthma