Solutions: Measuring Success of School Wellness Policies
A Healthy Kids Challenge view of measurement and evaluation when it comes to wellness…and one of our simple, every day, evidence based solutions.
What schools tell us:
The law doesn’t include any reporting requirements, so why should we evaluate? We don’t have time.
Research Confirms:
Measuring success is a major challenge. Most school districts do not have staff to measure and evaluate. Part of the challenge is lack of financial resources.
Solution: Measure simple successes – Celebrate!
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just take the HKC Call to Action survey to see where your school stands related to a healthy school environment, to create an action plan, track progress, and measure success – It’s a one-page measurement tool backed by solid CDC research.
Many schools are already measuring basic things like participation in the school lunch program and looking at a la carte sales. Others have nutrition or physical activity-related grants that already require reporting. Use these kinds of data to showcase how wellness policies are working.
High school students could conduct some monitoring and measuring as part of a class project. Local universities or other research organizations may be willing to help develop effective monitoring and evaluation components.
Measuring Success = A Best Practice
Reporting successes to key KidLinksTM in the community and school district shows positive progress and sets the stage for additional support.
