Independent School Health Check

An opportunity to have real time, self reported survey data on your students’ health related behaviors and attitudes which yield a valid data base for policy and program development.  A student survey self administered on the computer.  Students respond on school computers to a 20 minutes, 80 question survey.  Three age-appropriate versions are available:  6-8 Middle School, 9-12 Day School, 9-12 Boarding School.  Independent schools attract and educate a unique population of students.  The ISHC is the only health survey that focuses on these students.  Computer administration provides rapid, accurate tabulation of student behaviors and attitudes regarding:

• Their strengths and coping skills
• The predictors of resiliency
• Stress management
• Emotional health
• Their use of time
• Attitudes about school, teachers, and parents
• Parental oversight and support
• Academic motivation
• Academic honesty
• Substance use
• Eating and dieting patterns
• Sexual activity

Schools can track behavior changes between grade levels and use follow-up surveys to monitor the school’s intervention response.

School can address the discrepancy between perception and reality.  Numerous studies of schools have shown that students invariably overestimate other students’ unhealthy behavior, thus increasing their own susceptibility, as in the notion “everybody does it.”  Share ISHC data with students and parents to encourage healthy behavior – a proven strategy.

Schools can develop strategies for health education based on empirical data about what students are really doing.

Schools can analyze the ISHC data with a prepared package that includes:

• Tables of data
• Correlations between useful data sets
• A summary of findings

Schools can survey with confidence.  Each survey administrator receives:

• Sample communications with parents, students, and faculty
• Check lists covering every step of administration
• Forms to meet legal and ethical requirements
• Consultations with ISHC staff
• Validated methodology

The Independent School Health Check is administered by Mental Health in Independent School Communities (MHISC).

Contact:

Rosemary Baggish, M. Ed., M.P.H

Director of MHISC

(860) 989-8286

rbaggis@harthosp.org