The promise of standardized data collection: school health variables identified by states

A gap in data prevents measurement of the needs of school-age children and the influence of school nursing interventions on student health and education outcomes. Its remedy is in the data collected in school health rooms. A national clinical database describing school health will allow education and health leaders to build evidence-based programs for children. Several states collect school health data describing student needs and school nursing practice. This study identified, collated, described, and evaluated the variables compiled from state school health reporting documents to identify commonalities and form the foundation of a standardized school health reporting system. A comprehensive content analysis of variables in the instruments yielded a framework within which school health data can be organized and described. It consists of five broad categories describing staffing; risk management; health promotion; episodic care; and care coordination. The result provides a nationally standardized coding set to describe school health.