In order to advocate and make a strong case for policy changes, you must first understand the need for these changes. In other words, you need to assess your current school environment in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses. Find out how students feel about issues including physical education, health, and school food. Once you have done this assessment, you can base your goals and plan of action on what you discover.

Step 1: Survey Your School
Ask fellow students to complete the Student Survey, tally the results, and find areas in which your school can improve its health environment.

1. Detailed Survey Instructions, read carefully (PDF, Word)
2. Student Survey (PDF, Word)
3. Score Sheet
   Use the completed student surveys to fill out this scoresheet.

Step 2: Complete Modules
Now that you know what students think about the issues, you can use this data to complete a more detailed assessment of your school’s health environment.

• Print out each of the six modules. These can be completed one at a time.
• Print out the detailed Module Instructions (PDF, Word) to guide you as you begin the modules.
• Keep the results of your Student Survey handy – you will need them to answer some of the questions in the Modules. If this is the case, the module will tell you which survey question to refer to by listing the question number in parentheses.
• Keep in mind – Some schools (especially smaller schools or charter schools) may not be able to answer all of the module questions – and that’s okay. Just answer all questions to the best of your ability!

Get Started:

Module 1: School Health and Safety Policies and the Environment
What are the rules at your school?
• Do you have school policies or handbooks that say anything about physical education programs or the kinds of foods that can be sold on school grounds?
• Maybe you can have a say about the kinds of foods served in the cafeteria or get some cool new activities offered in PE class.

Module 2: Health Education
How does health education weigh in at your school?
• Does the grade you get for Health Education hold the same weight as your Geometry grade?
• Find out how satisfied students are with the health topics covered at school and topics or issues they might like to learn more about.

Module 3: Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs
Does your school need a jump start on physical education?
• How much physical education do you receive? - and - Do you get a grade?
• Let the voice of the students be heard about physical education classes, intramural activities, and your school’s facilities. With enough demand and support, you might be able to start something new!

Module 4: Nutrition Services
You are what you eat. - Right?
• Find out more about the foods and beverages that your school offers in the cafeteria and in vending machines.
• Learn more about what students are eating. Would healthy food choices like salad bars work in your school?

Module 5: School Health Services
Does an apple a day keep the school nurse away?
• Learn more about the services that school nurses and guidance counselors provide for students.

Module 6: Family and Community Involvement
Is your family in the loop?
• How well does your school involve family and community members – and keep them up to speed?
• Find out about the types of materials that get sent home to inform your family about programs and events that take place at school?

Step 3: Complete the Overall Scorecard
So what do these modules mean? Use the Overall Scorecard to record your results for each of the six modules. This scorecard will help you identify areas to focus on as you begin your Plan for Improvement in the next section.