School Health Policy Information by Topic
General School Health Policy Resources
A CDC Review of School Laws and Policies Concerning Child and Adolescent Health Executive summary
Article from the Journal of School Health that provides wide-ranging information about laws and policies important to the health of children and adolescents in schools
State-Level School Health Policies Database
Searchable database from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) allows users to search state education laws and practices on issues such as school health curriculum and instruction, staff education requirements, and crisis management and emergency response. The database also provides access to federal laws.
School Health Resource Database
National School Boards Association database of sample policies, articles, and training tools that address issues facing local school districts, including tobacco use prevention
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: A School Health Policy Guide
NASBE’s policy guide provides direction to states, school districts, and schools on establishing an overall policy framework for school health programs, and covers such topics as tobacco-use prevention, asthma management, physical activity, health eating, skin cancer, and creating a healthy school environment
National Conference of State Legislatures: Youth Resources and Research
Resources on policies related to adolescent health, positive youth development, at-risk youth, youth violence, and youth engagement
Asthma
Asthma Policy Page
CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: A School Health Policy Guide. Part III: Policies Related to Asthma, School Health Services, and Healthy Environment
National Association of State Boards of Education
National Conference of State Legislatures’ Asthma Web Resources
Policy and state-related resources, including state policies regarding student rights to possess and self-administer prescribed medications for asthma and anaphylaxis
Resolution on Asthma Management at School
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, National Institutes of Health
Improving Childhood Asthma Outcomes in the United States: A Blueprint for Policy Action
RAND Corporation
Food Allergy
Safe at School and Ready to Learn: A Comprehensive Policy Guide for Protecting Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies [pdf 4.5M]
National School Boards Association
School Guidelines for Managing Students with Food Allergies
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
Managing Food Allergies in the School Setting: Guidance for Parents [pdf 234k]
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, with support from CDC, presents guidelines to help parents prepare for sending their child with food allergies to school
Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Obesity
Competitive Foods and Beverages in U.S. Schools: A State Policy Analysis [pdf 14M]
CDC analysis of state competitive food policy alignment with the IOM’s Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools
School-Based Obesity Prevention Strategies for State Policymakers [pdf 149K]
Describes physical activity and healthy eating strategies undertaken by states that have shown promise in helping schools address and prevent childhood obesity
State Legislative and Regulatory Action to Prevent Obesity and Improve Nutrition and Physical Activity
Searchable CDC database of state legislation and regulations related to obesity, nutrition, and physical activity
Local Wellness School Policy
Provides links to tools and resources for schools to assist with the development of local wellness policies in accordance with federal law
Team Nutrition: Local Wellness Policy
USDA clearinghouse to help school districts develop and implement local wellness policies
Classification of Laws Associated with School Students (C.L.A.S.S.)
A scoring system for state-level codified laws for physical education and nutrition in schools
Water Access in Schools Model Wellness Policy Language
Guidance for developing policies and best practices to increase access to free drinking water in schools
Tobacco
Best Practices User Guide: Youth Engagement—State and Community Interventions
CDC resource focusing on the role youth play in advancing policy as part of a comprehensive tobacco control program
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: A School Health Policy Guide: Chapter F: Policies to Prevent Tobacco Use [pdf 1.5M]
National State Boards of Education
Synar Amendment
Discusses implementation of the Synar Amendment, which requires states to have laws in place prohibiting the sale and distribution of tobacco products to persons under 18 and to enforce those laws effectively
