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NASBE recently published three chapters of its highly praised Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn series of school health policy guides: Policies to Promote Healthy Eating, Policies to Promote Physical Activity and Physical Education (both of which are completely revised from their first editions), and Policies to Promote School Safety and Violence Prevention.
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| Chapter: D | Chapter: E | Chapter: I |
| Purchase Hard Copy | Purchase Hard Copy | Purchase Hard Copy |
When NASBE first published Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn in 2000 in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a major hurdle to its use was lack of awareness or sense of urgency among most education policymakers about the nation’s steadily rising rates of overweight and obesity. It was also challenging for education policymakers to keep up with rapidly changing standards and expectations for what is considered safe and secure. In addition to evolving standards for physical safety, researchers in recent years have made significant strides in documenting the role and importance of social and emotional security on students’ academic performance and healthy development. These issues have also exploded into the public’s consciousness through widespread media attention and the dire warnings of health groups, politicians, and government agencies. Policy changes to promote safe and healthy school environments have been adopted with amazing speed. Despite this progress, NASBE’s reports make it clear that there is much work to be done.
The primary audiences for these chapters are state and local education policymakers and administrators, as well as school health professionals, youth- serving organizations, and health and safety advocates. The guides are rich with recent scientific data, analysis, examples of state and local best practices, and evidence-based model policies that can be adapted by schools, districts, and states. The guides also cover a wide array of topics, ranging from creating healthy eating environments and nutrition-related school services to what makes a quality physical education program, promoting active commuting to school and the importance of recess and other physical activity breaks. The school safety and violence prevention chapter covers such areas as safe physical and social environments, safe transportation, injury and violence prevention education, emergency planning, and more.
As with the original edition, the primary audiences of this updated and expanded edition are state and local education policymakers and administrators. Secondary audiences are advocates who work to influence education decision-makers. The publications include current scientific findings and refer readers to new and valuable resources of information and assistance. The evidence-based model policies at the heart of the original chapters have needed only minor refinements; the policy solutions identified in 2000 generally remain valid today, while additional evidence has accumulated as to their value and effectiveness.
NASBE has long recognized that education and health are inextricably intertwined. We will continue our mission to draw the attention of education policymakers to every proven strategy that supports high student achievement, educational equity, and lifelong health and success.
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Please use the links below to access copies of these updated chapters of the Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn series.