As part of baseline evaluations for the Texas Tobacco Prevention Initiative, secondary school health coordinators and principals were surveyed to assess: 1) classroom instruction activity levels, 2) nature of instruction, 3) faculty and staff attitudes, and 4) staff development preferences. Questionnaires, corresponding to CDCP’s Tobacco Profiles Questionnaire were modified for Texas. A random sample of schools within the 19 study areas received written questionnaires. 128 health coordinators and 131 principals (75% and 76% responses, respectively) participated. Implementation of TUPE was limited, and in most cases not sufficient to be effective. Few principals reported their schools extremely active in provision of classroom instruction (19%), teacher training (4%), or family involvement (2%). In 40% of schools, TUPE was only infused into one or more lessons or consisted of a single lesson - often an example of life skill or refusal skill training. Materials used for TUPE were predominantly from voluntary community associations; less than 13% used published curricula with proven effectiveness. Predominate instructional methods used by over 50% were seatwork, lectures, films or videos, and group discussions; rarely used were more effective interactive, skill-based, student-centered methods. Only 17% of teachers and administrators viewed TUPE as very important compared to other subjects. Faculty expressed they would like to receive training in behavior change skills (66%), encouraging family or community development (61%), use of interactive teaching methods (59%), and curriculum-specific training (58%). Strategies will be discussed to help schools identify and use effective programs in order to successfully provide TUPE.
Learning Objectives: 1) Identify the scope and nature of school tobacco prevention education instruction and staff development preferences. 2) Provide staff development preferences and strategies for strengthening school programs.
Keywords: School Health, Tobacco Control
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.