Executive Summary

In March 2020, just as COVID-19 caused schools to shut down across the country, educators were participating in a school health survey. The School Health Profiles (Profiles) is a system of surveys to assess school health policies and practices in states, school districts, and territories. Profiles surveys are conducted biennially by education and health agencies, among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers.

Education and health officials use Profiles to monitor school health policies and practices, comparing differences across jurisdictions. Data are also used to identify professional development needs, inform health programs, and support health-related legislation.

For the first time Profiles will feature national level data indicators, in addition to state and local level data traditionally provided by the system. Given the importance of Profiles, and critical timing of survey administration, the 2020 data release has been much anticipated by education partners, policy makers and public health practitioners.

Differences in School Health Education and Services

2020 Profiles¹ show differences in school health programs and services provided across state and local districts. Many youth are not receiving adequate health education and services needed for healthy development.

These disparities contribute to adverse outcomes, perpetuating health-based inequity among students. Nationwide, 9 in 10 schools worked to increase student knowledge about emotional and mental health. Yet fewer than 7 in 10 lead health education teachers have received professional development training in emotional and mental health. And while 3 in 4 schools encouraged students to respect others’ sexual and gender identities, fewer than half of all schools have a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) (shown to benefit all students independent of sexual and/ or gender identity). Many similar data points vary widely across the nation, providing broad opportunity to improve health education and services for all students.

School connectedness

Student health data collected since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic reveal a worsening mental health crisis among adolescents². Studies also show that students who feel more connected to others at school have better mental health and fewer suicide risk behaviors².

Profiles provides indicators for school connectedness by tracking activities including teacher trainings, as well as mentoring and service opportunities made available to students. Roughly 4 in 5 schools in 2020 encouraged staff to attend professional development on safe and supportive school environments. Half of all schools connected students to service-learning programs, including family or community-based mentoring programs. Profiles data also reveal room for improving student connectedness. Fewer than 3 in 5 educators received training on teaching students from various backgrounds in the past year, and many did not express interest in seeking training. This is especially concerning since there are significant associations between students experiencing racism in schools and adverse health outcomes (including poor mental health and suicide risk behaviors)³.

What Works In Schools

Schools are a critical part of healthy development and serve as an intervention point for youth-focused public health efforts. Nearly 60 million students spend more than 6 hours a day in school, many receiving important services for social development and connection. CDC’s What Works In Schools program employs three strategies to help adolescents: comprehensive health education, referrals to health services, and safe and supportive environments. Research has shown schools that implement the program see decreases in risk behaviors like sexual risk, substance use, violence (including sexual violence), and improvements in mental health.

CDC’s 2020 Profiles is the first routine surveillance assessment of school health programs, policies, and practices since the pandemic. Given the enormous stress and pressure we know many students faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited to release timely data that are critical for understanding and improving teacher professional development, student learning environments, and ultimately the health behaviors and health outcomes of students in schools.