School Policies

School Tools

Resources for Schools

School Policies

Policies to Promote Smoke-free Schools

• Coastal Youth Policy Tobacco Summit March 5, 2010
• School Districts with Tobacco Free Policy
• Tobacco-Free School Presentation
• Model 100% Tobacco-Free School Policy For School Districts In Georgia
• 100% Tobacco-Free School Project

Policies to Promote Healthy Eating

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
• U.S. Obesity Trends
• Trends in Childhood Obesity
• Georgia Farm to School Programs
• Georgia Farm to School Bill
• Sample Policies for Farm to School

Georgia Policy to Address Physical Activity and Fitness

• Youth Activity Guidelines Toolkit
• National Physical Activity Plan
• Presidential Challenge

Georgia SHAPE ACT

The Georgia Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Act was passed in the 2009 Georgia legislative session and is now Official Code of Georgia 20-2-777. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the law requires each local school district to conduct an annual fitness assessment program for all students in grades 1 - 12 enrolled in Georgia public school physical education classes taught by certified physical education teachers.

Components

Local school systems must:

• Comply with state physical education instruction requirements
• Conduct annual physical fitness testing of students enrolled in physical education classes*
• Provide for reporting annual aggregate fitness assessment results to the state Board of Education
• Report individual results of fitness assessment to parent or guardian of each student

The State Board of Education:

• Is responsible for coordinating health and physical activity education and fitness activities and requirements
• Provides for an annual fitness assessment report to the Governor, beginning October 1, 2012

The Governor will:

• Acknowledge most improved schools and school systems though a recognition program

*Students who are physically unable to take the entire test battery are to be given as much of the test as they are able to complete, and as conditions permit.

More information

• House Bill 229
• Governor Launches the Georgia SHAPE Partnership
• Wellness in Georgia Schools: Health and Physical Education Update
• Talking Points: Georgia Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) (Georgia Department of Education)
• Talking points for The 2009 SHAPE Act (American Heart Association/American Stroke Association)
• Frequently Asked Questions

Self-Assessment and Planning Guide by School Health Index (SHI)