Evidence is mounting that meeting the basic developmental needs of students--ensuring that they are safe, drug-free, healthy, and resilient--is central to improving their academic performance. Ten years ago, this was a hard truth to sell, but extensive evidence is now available to demonstrate the link between health, as well as school health programs, to academic achievement.

Schools can provide a critical venue in which many agencies might work together to maintain the well-being of young people. However, schools by themselves cannot, and should not be expected to, address the nation’s most serious health and social problems.

NEA Health Information Network and many other organizations and agencies are working to provide key resources and tools to help schools and communities work together to provide high quality and timely health programs and services to students.

Related Resources:

• The Coordinated School Health Model is a framework consisting of eight interactive components that can help schools engage a network of students, families, communities, and other partners to improve the health of students through schools. Academic achievement has been linked to every component of the coordinated school health model. Learn more.
  
• Linking Health & Academic Success. Negative and positive health status have been linked to many spects of acadmic achievement including improved test scores, retention, and absenteeism. See the link for yourself with this summary, by health issue, of quick facts and resources to address heatlh issues that impact academic achievement. Learn More.
  
• Promoting Free and Low-Cost Health Insurance for Kids Through Schools. Everyday, teachers, school nurses, principals and school administrators witness the effects of students not getting the medical care they need for common childhood illnesses such as sore throats, earaches, and asthma. Schools can play an essential role in connecting students and their families with low and no-cost health insurance through school-based enrollment and promotional activities. Learn more.