Principals' Attitudes Toward Coordinated School Health Programs

Keith A. King, Ph.D., CHES
Cathy Leahey, RN, BSN
Barbara Hopping, B.S.Ed.

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to examine principals’ beliefs and attitudes toward coordinated school health programs.  Principals’ overall acceptance towards coordinated school health and their perceived benefits and barriers of its implementation were also investigated.  A four-page survey was distributed to all principals in Cincinnati Public and Hamilton County schools.   Results showed that about half of school principals reported that their schools had formal, written goals for health education (58%) and written objectives to measure student health-related skills (48%).  One in three (35%) schools had a lead teacher or designated coordinator to manage the school health education program and one in four (24%) had applied for outside grant funds to enhance or support its health education program.  Only one in ten (11%) schools currently had a committee designed to coordinate school health activities.  On average, schools had last evaluated their health education program 11 years ago (SD = 2.70) and required students to take one health education course (SD = 1.20).  Principals strongly supported the need for more health education in their schools and the overwhelming majority reported that they would like to have a coordinated school health program in the next two years.  Principals also requested the implementation of a school health advisory committee in their schools in the next two years.  Based on the findings of this study, recommendations have been offered to assist school health professionals in advocating for increased coordinated school health.  

Cathy Leahey is Chair of the Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Health Promotion, Coordinated School Health Committee.
Barbara Hopping is Director of Prevention and Early Detection in the American Cancer Society, Ohio Division, Hamilton County Unit.
A manuscript of this study is currently in progress and will be submitted to the School Administrator.
To find out more information, contact: Dr. Keith A. King.