The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66454

John P. Shields, PhD, MSW, Research Department, Education, Training, & Research Associates (ETR), 5616 Geary Boulevard, Suite 207, San Francisco, CA 94121, (415) 933-6095 x413, johns@etr.org and T Bascom, RN, MA, School Health Programs Department, San Francisco Unified School District, 1515 Quintara Ave, San Francisco, CA 94116.

This paper presents data related to school climate from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), administered by ETR Associates (ETR) within the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the district’s School Health Programs Department (SHPD). The YRBS includes data related to essential factors associated with middle and high school climate, including: the number of times students reported being threatened with a weapon on school property; the number of times students reported being in a physical fight on school property; the number of students reporting that someone has stolen or deliberately damaged their property on school property; students’ reports of smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana on school property; and the number of times students’ report that they were offered illegal drugs on school property. Looking at these data elements individually and in relation to each other, this paper provides the most up-to-date data available on trends in school climate in San Francisco in an era of increased policy and practice interventions designed to address issues of school climate.

Learning Objectives:

• Discus trends in the risk behavior data related to school climate in a large urban school district.
• Assess the utility and impact of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) as a local evaluation tool.

Keywords: School Health, Risk Taking Behavior

Related Web page: www.etr.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ETR Associates
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment