Missouri School Health Education Profile, 1998.

Overview & Synopsis

This publication shows gains and losses for health education in Missouri's public schools. Data come from the School Health Education Profile, a survey that monitors the status of health education in public schools, including education to prevent HIV infection and other important health problems, at the middle, junior, and senior high school levels. During the spring of 1998, questionnaires were sent to principals and lead health educators at 420 secondary schools. Usable questionnaires were received from 313 principals and 317 teachers. Results are presented according to school support for health education, teacher preparation, amount of classroom instruction, content of classroom instruction, and parent and community involvement. Positive changes included increases in: the number of schools with a designated coordinator of health education, community representation on school health advisory boards, and the amount of health education required. Negative changes included decreases in: school support for inservice training in health education, the number of school health advisory councils, and the amount of HIV/AIDS education. The study found that health education teachers have become less experienced, feedback from parents tends to result in more health education, and teaching of health-enhancing skills remains high. Three appendixes present the Missouri School Improvement Standards on Health Education and Communicable Diseases, policy guidelines on communicable diseases, and infection control procedures for schools. (SM)