Time is the main resource associated with implementation. Dedicated time is needed for the school health team to come together to complete the self-assessment and create a School Health Improvement Plan. Many of the improvements can be done with existing staff and with few or no new resources. Some improvement may not require any funding. The School Health Index is available at no cost.

Field testing has shown that it can be completed in about six hours, though this time allocation will vary depending on the number of health topics addressed and the amount of time needed to collect information for discussion.

The SHI was field tested for readability and user-friendliness. Validity and reliability data have not been captured because the SHI is not a research tool. It is a community organizing and educational tool.

Low scores on the SHI do not indicate that a school is low-performing. In fact, low scores should be expected. They merely point you to areas in which your school can improve its health and safety promotion policies or practices.

Absolutely not! The SHI is your school’s self-assessment tool and is not meant to compare, rate, or punish schools. There is no such thing as a passing grade on the SHI. Your scores should only be used to help you understand your school’s strengths and weaknesses and to develop a School Health Improvement Plan for improving your promotion of health and safety.

No. Your online scores will not be electronically sent to your school district or state. The only way your school’s information can be viewed online is by using your assigned reference number to access your school’s records in the system.

No. CDC does not ask schools to report their scores. The SHI is a self-assessment process, and the data are not meant to be reported to outside agencies.