Survey says school health services make a difference

California school districts and county offices of education that provide health services say the programs are reducing absenteeism, improving student learning and helping students build solid relationships with families, teachers and administrators.

That’s one of the key findings from a new CSBA survey aimed at finding out what California public schools are doing to improve student health, determining how health services are making a difference and identifying ways CSBA can help members initiate and expand programs that promote student wellness. As defined in this study, school health services include dental and vision care, mental health services, healthy weight programs and services to manage and prevent chronic illnesses.

The extensive statewide survey, funded by The California Endowment, was conducted in the fall of 2007.

Researchers sent e-mail questionnaires to more than 4,500 superintendents and governing board members from 1,044 districts and county offices—representing nearly all the local education agencies in the state. More than half responded. Researchers also collected qualitative data from superintendents and governing board members who attended three focus groups at CSBA’s 2007 Annual Education Conference and Trade Show.

Martin Gonzalez, CSBA’s assistant executive director for Governance and Policy Services, said the survey yielded vast amounts of valuable data—about both the potential benefits of providing health services at school and the challenges involved in organizing and paying for these programs.

“Those districts already involved in providing a high level of school health services are the districts who anticipate the highest increase in demand and expansion of services in the next three years,” said Gonzalez. “Those already doing it see the value and impact it has on a daily basis and want more.”

Gonzalez said the survey indicates that board members and superintendents see the link between improved health and academic achievement, but when viewed against the multitude of priorities competing for limited public funding and precious minutes in the crowded school day, health services often slip to the bottom of the priorities list.

“Our members expressed a great need for support, resources and trainings on school health services in a multitude of ways,” he said.

The survey findings have implications not only for school governing boards and administrators but also for the organizations that work closely with schools to provide health services to young Californians.

Serena Clayton, executive director of the California School Health Centers Association, said she was intrigued by the finding that 22 percent of survey respondents reported that they either have a school health center or are in the process of establishing one. Since a very small percentage of California public schools have such centers now, Clayton was excited at the prospect that there may be significant numbers of districts and county offices of education interested in expanding health services to children.

The survey is available on the CSBA Web site; CSBA will send research briefs summarizing key findings to members later this summer.

Related link:

Download “Providing School Health Services in California: A Research Report,” a 45-page summary of the survey findings, @

www.csba.org/EducationIssues/EducationIssues/Wellness.aspx.