Profiles Overview
What is the School Health Profiles?
The School Health Profiles (Profiles) is a system of surveys assessing school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, territories, and tribal governments. Profiles surveys are conducted biennially by education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers. Profiles monitors the current status of
- School health education requirements and content
- Physical education and physical activity
- School health policies related to HIV infection/AIDS, tobacco-use prevention, and nutrition
- Asthma management activities
- Family and community involvement in school health programs
- School health coordination
How are Profiles data used?
Education and health officials use Profiles data to
- Describe school health policies and practices and compare them across jurisdictions
- Identify professional development needs
- Plan and monitor programs
- Support health-related policies and legislation
- Seek funding
- Garner support for future surveys
How do specific states and school districts use their Profiles data?
- In Utah, Profiles data were used on an informational handout that included school health policy recommendations on cancer, diabetes, and injury prevention. This handout was shared with stakeholders at a Parent Teacher Association Conference to garner support for coordinated school health.
- In Indiana, Profiles data were used in a state-specific Profiles report that included commentaries from Indiana teachers and suggestions for how to improve student health in the state.
How is Profiles conducted?
Profiles is conducted among a sample of secondary schools in a state, large urban school district, territory, or tribal government. Profiles data are collected from self-administered questionnaires from the principal and the lead health education teacher at each sampled school. In 2012, 45 states, 18 large urban school districts, 4 territories, and 2 tribal governments obtained weighted data. Weighted data means that at least 70% of the principals or lead health education teachers in the sample completed the survey. Weighted data represent the state, school district, territory, or tribal government, whereas unweighted data represent only the schools that completed the questionnaire.
Among states, the average number of principals participating was 249, and the average number of teachers participating was 247. Among school districts, the average number of principals participating was 63, and the average number of teachers participating was 60. Among territories, the average number of principals participating was 12, and the average number of teachers participating was 12. Among tribal governments, the average number of principals participating was 61, and the average number of teachers participating was 58.