The Student Wellness Check: Conducting a Student Health Survey to Assess Needs

Abstract:
To help address the health needs of students, many schools are conducting student health surveys, which provide a comprehensive view of student needs and concerns based on feedback from the students themselves. The authors--a professor at the University of Pittsburgh and an assistant superintendent at an area school district--describe the process they undertook to administer a student health survey. Their steps were: 1) Build a health team of representatives from the school and community; 2) Determine the student concerns regarded as most pressing; 3) Gain support from the school and community; 4) Administer the Student Wellness Check; 5) Analyze data; 6) Disseminate results; 7) Develop action plans for specific areas; and 8) Expand the focus, such as to a community-based survey. The specific steps that are outlined, along with the focus on collaboration among staff members, students, community members, and parents, should make this article very helpful to those planning a student health survey.

Author(s): FERTMAN, Carl I., and SOBEHART, Helen

Publication: NASSP Bulletin


Date Published: 5/1/1994

Pages: 7

Location Code: 8177