Schools and School Districts


Schools, whether physical or virtual, are structured institutional settings that educate students and, ideally,  prioritize student and staff health and well-being. Schools play a vital role in fostering academic, physical, and social development, and play a big part in creating safe and healthy environments for children. This involves implementing evidence-based strategies, collaborating with stakeholders, and addressing the diverse needs of the school community. Specific considerations for school practices and policies vary across educational levels, settings, local policies, and stakeholder involvement. 


School districts are administrative units responsible for overseeing multiple schools within a specific geographic area. They play a crucial role in coordinating and implementing not only educational programming, but also health-promoting strategies, policies, and services across schools. School districts typically include a centralized governance structure, comprising administrators, district-level staff, and sometimes elected board members. However, the organization and authority of school districts may vary across regions, and caveats can exist in terms of the jurisdictional structure and level of autonomy granted to individual schools within the district.


While the primary goal of schools is to educate students, they also wield a substantial influence on the health and well-being of students, families, and the broader community, making their role and significance twofold. Schools are essential for promoting health, addressing health disparities, and fostering community engagement. For instance, school lunch programs significantly impact healthy food access, while school-based health care clinics provide accessible medical services. Additionally, emerging efforts, such as integrating mental health providers into school settings, are showing promising evidence of enhancing student well-being. Schools and school districts touch so many community members—whether students, parents, neighbors, etc.—understanding and actively engaging with schools and school districts can contribute to improved community health outcomes, health equity, and positive community change. Nationally, the collective well-being of the population is intricately intertwined with the quality of education and the comprehensive health promotion efforts fostered within school settings. Equitable access to resources within school districts further enhances the interplay between education and the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. 


Historical events have influenced the current situation for schools and school districts:

  • Public Health Movements: The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed public health movements focused on improving community health and hygiene. Concerns about infectious diseases and the need for preventive measures led to the establishment of school health programs and the integration of public health practices within schools.

  • Education Reforms: Education reforms throughout the 20th century aimed to improve access to education, quality of instruction, and equitable opportunities for all students. These reforms led to the establishment of school districts as administrative units responsible for overseeing educational systems, ensuring compliance with standards, and implementing policies related to health and well-being.

  • Civil Rights Movement: The civil rights movement in the mid-20th century brought attention to educational inequalities and discrimination. Efforts to promote desegregation and equal access to education further shaped the landscape of schools and school districts, aiming to address disparities and promote equity. 

  • Global Health Concerns: Global health events and challenges, such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic, emergence of new infectious diseases, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly impacted schools and school districts. These events have necessitated the development of public health strategies, policies, and interventions to mitigate disease transmission and ensure the well-being of students and staff.


Most children in the U.S. are influenced by schools and school districts, given the structure of the national public education system. However, it's essential to acknowledge that throughout history, marginalized populations, including low-income communities, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and those grappling with systemic inequalities, have borne a disproportionate burden of poor educational and health outcomes within schools and school districts. This inequity is often rooted in historical disparities in educational funding, where Black and/or poor communities have historically received less financial support, leading to poorer educational outcomes.


The current status of schools and school districts is influenced by many factors, including:

  • COVID-19 Pandemic: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted schools and school districts worldwide. It has led to disruptions in education, challenges in implementing preventive measures, and concerns about the physical and mental health of students and staff.

  • Health Inequalities: Disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare services persist among students and communities served by schools and school districts. Factors such as socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and geographic location contribute to these inequalities, influencing the overall health and well-being of students.

  • Safety and Violence Prevention: Ensuring safe and secure learning environments is essential for the health and well-being of students. Schools and school districts are tasked with implementing measures to prevent violence, bullying, and other forms of harm, promoting a supportive and conducive atmosphere for learning.

  • Mental Health Concerns: Increasing attention is being given to mental health issues among students, including anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Schools and school districts play a crucial role in addressing mental health needs and promoting positive emotional well-being.


Equity considerations for those working among and with schools and school districts include addressing health disparities, promoting inclusive environments, ensuring equal opportunities, engaging the community, using data-driven approaches, and implementing trauma-informed practices. These considerations aim to reduce inequities, create supportive and inclusive spaces, and provide equal access to resources and opportunities for all students.


The importance of school and school district systems lies in their potential to promote health, prevent risks, address disparities, support early intervention, and contribute to the overall well-being of students and communities. Changemakers and stewards can influence schools and school districts at scale and advance systems change through policy advocacy, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, professional development, community engagement, and research and innovation. These strategies help promote evidence-based practices, address disparities, empower stakeholders, and create healthier and more equitable educational environments for students.


Local communities and changemakers can positively influence the impact of schools and school districts through community engagement, grassroots advocacy, collaborative partnerships, data collection, capacity building, and implementing health promotion programs. These approaches empower community members to voice their concerns, address disparities, and work collaboratively with schools to create supportive and equitable educational environments that prioritize the health and well-being of students.


Resources & Tools


Screen capture of School Budgets, Student Health to Benefit from Higher Nutrition Standards webpage
School Budgets, Student Health to Benefit from Higher Nutrition Standards
Resource
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Education Is a Strong Predictor of Health infographic
Education Is a Strong Predictor of Health
Resource
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Photo by NASA on Unsplash
Transforming Systems for Wellbeing and Equity
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by Community Commons
Student Academic Performance Is Affected by Issues Inside and Outside School infographic
Student Academic Performance Is Affected by Issues Inside and Outside School
Resource
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
First page of
The Time to Act Is Now: Investing in LGBTQIA2S+ Student Mental Health in K-12 Schools With a Youth-Centered Approach
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Society for Public Health Education
Cover page for Active Design Toolkit for schools
Active Design Toolkit for Schools
Resource - Guide/handbook
Screen capture of How the Pandemic is Reshaping Education article
How the Pandemic is Reshaping Education
Resource - Website/webpage
Cover page for Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit
Agricultural Urbanism Toolkit
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Published on 07/01/2015
PDF Cover page: Ending Student Criminalization and the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Ending Student Criminalization and the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by New York University
Economic Evaluation of School-Based Health
Economic Evaluation of School-Based Health Centers: A Community Guide Systematic Review
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Elsevier, Inc.
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Disability Rates Among Working-Age Adults Are Shaped by Race, Place, and Education
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by Brookings
First page of Colorado HB 19-1262: State Funding for Full-Day Kindergarten Health Note
Colorado HB 19-1262: State Funding for Full-Day Kindergarten
Resource - Report
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of Elementary and Middle School Success
Elementary and Middle School Success
Resource - Data Bank/repository
Brought to you by Results for America
Screenshot of the front page of What Works In Schools
What Works In Schools
Resource - Fact Sheet
Brought to you by CDC
Children playing tug-of-war
Bright Spot: Project STRIVE
Resource - Model Policy
Brought to you by 100MHL
Deeper Dives for Schools Home Page
Deeper Dives for Schools: Practical Strategies to Serve Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Resource - Fact Sheet
Brought to you by SchoolHouse Connection
First page of Colorado SB 20-014: Excused Absences in Public Schools for Behavioral Health Health Note
Colorado SB 20-014: Excused Absences in Public Schools for Behavioral Health
Resource - Report
Brought to you by Health Impact Project
Screen capture of School District Policies webpage
School District Policies
Resource - Toolkit/toolbox
Cover page of Why Place Matters: Building a Movement
Why Place Matters: Building a Movement for Healthy Communities
Resource - Report
Brought to you by PolicyLink
Screen capture of High School Graduation
High School Graduation
Resource - Data Bank/repository
Brought to you by Results for America
Screen capture of Kindergarten Readiness
Kindergarten Readiness
Resource - Data Bank/repository
Brought to you by Results for America
Screen capture of In Common Newsletter: Food Insecurity on College Campuses Series
In Common Newsletter: Food Insecurity on College Campuses Series
Resource
Brought to you by Community Commons
Cover page of report on indicators of school crime and safety
Indicators of School Crime and Safety
Resource - Report
Brought to you by National Center for Education Statistics
PDF Cover: The Medicine Wheel Revisited: Reflections on Indigenization in Counseling and Education
The Medicine Wheel Revisited: Reflections on Indigenization in Counseling and Education
Resource - Journal Article
Brought to you by SAGE Publications
Screen capture of Why Strong Afterschool Programs Matter article
Why Strong Afterschool Programs Matter
Resource - Blog
Brought to you by WaPo
Cover page of Guardian of Democracy resource
Guardian of Democracy: The Civic Mission of Schools
Resource - Report
Brought to you by Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
Screen capture of Fast Fact: Preventing School Violence webpage
About School Violence
Resource - Fact Sheet
Community garden with murals
Proviso Partners for Health
Story - Written
Brought to you by 100MHL
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Georgia's Separate and Unequal Special-Education System
Story - Written
Brought to you by TNY
Two children writing answers on paper Photo by Rachel on Unsplash
Bringing the Vital Conditions to Life: Lifelong Learning
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 11/01/2019
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Does Teacher Diversity Matter in Student Learning?
Story - Written
Brought to you by NYT
This American Life Podcast Page
Is This Working?
Story - Audio
Screen capture of A Town Where a School Bus Is More Than a Bus
A Town Where a School Bus Is More Than a Bus
Story - Written
Brought to you by NYT
Two children running on a track
The Impact of Mileage Club
Story - Written
Brought to you by 100MHL
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These Schools Are Taking Action to Keep ICE Out of the Classroom
Story - Written
Brought to you by Vice Media Group
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Healthy Kids Colorado Survey Dashboard
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Staff Pick!
Screen grab of Racial Equity Analysis Tool
Screen capture of Achievement Gaps Dashboard webpage
Achievement Gaps Dashboard
Tool - Data/mapping Tool

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