Developing indicators to enhance school health

There are many indicators used to assess the processes and outcomes of school health promotion and education programs and initiatives. This paper examines the development of such indicators, and the different foci on the biological, behavioral, social and contextual aspects of child and adolescent health measures. It then develops a framework for categorizing them. The variety of stakeholders who have an interest in school health is identified. A matrix is developed which maps the levels of influence the different stakeholders have in the categories of indicators. The paper concludes by delineating a set of criteria designed to assist stakeholders to be more strategic in identifying realistic and practical indicators which will provide useful information in judging their inputs and improving their contribution to school health promotion and education.