Sponsor

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP).

Mode of Administration

State and district level: Self-administered, mailed questionnaire.

School and classroom level: On-site, structured personal interview.

Survey Sample Design

For the 1994 SHPPS, all 50 States and the District of Columbia education agencies; a national probability sample of public and private districts; a national sample of public and private middle/junior and senior high school schools, and a random sample of required health education and physical education classes. About 400 districts and 600 schools participated. Respondents included administrators, teachers, school nurses, counselors, food service staff, secretaries, and other school personnel.

Response Rates

For the 1994 SHPPS: State education agencies, 100 percent; school districts, 82 percent; schools, 79 percent; health education teachers, 63 percent; and physical education teachers, 70 percent.

Primary Survey Content

Characteristics (such as policies, administration, planning, program content, program requirements, teaching methodologies, professional preparation of staff, efforts to promote programs, accessibility of services, training needs, etc.) of school health programs, including health education, physical education, food service, health services, and school health policies were measured in 1994.

Population Targeted

Education agencies in all 50 States and the District of Columbia; public and private school districts; public and private middle/junior and senior high schools; required health education and physical education courses.

Demographic Data

For schools, demographic variables include school size, school type, and urbanicity.

Years Collected

1994; 2000.

Schedule

Periodic: Every 6 years.

Geographic Estimates

National estimates for school districts, schools, and health education and physical education courses; State estimates for State education agencies.

Notes

SHPPS is the most comprehensive source of national data on policies and programs that support school health programs. SHPPS 2000 is an expanded version of the 1994 SHPPS. About 800 districts and 1,400 schools were asked to participate, including elementary schools. In addition to the 1994 survey content, SHPPS 2000 assesses mental health and social services, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. Demographic data will be expanded to include percent of students receiving free or reduced-price school lunches, student-teacher ratios, and race/ethnic distribution of students.

Contact Information

Data system homepage:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/shpps/

Data system phone: 800-231-6405

Agency homepage:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/

Agency phone: 770-488-5401

References

Errecart, M.T.; Ross, J.G.; Robb, W.; et al. The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS): Methodology. Journal of School Health 8(65), 1995.