Results
New 2011-2012 school year data indicates that the Healthy NewsWorks program boosts students’ confidence and competence. The multi-pronged assessment of students, teachers, and administrators said the impact of the program extends to include interpersonal skills, health awareness, and personal self-worth. Read more results from the 2011-2012 survey.
Interviews with teachers and principals have found:
- Healthy NewsWorks publications are a tool for reading enrichment.
- Students enjoy reading what their peers write and apply it personally.
- The program reinforces Pennsylvania literacy standards.
In a systematic review of a sample of papers, an evaluator found that a typical edition issue addresses six of the eight National Health Education Standards.
Here are some comments and findings from our surveys about the impact of the Healthy NewsWorks program:
Student journalists
"It improved my writing skills by helping me write more clearly so people could understand it."
- 72% of students in participating schools read, enjoyed and learned something from their Healthy NewsWorks newspaper (2008–2009 results)
- 73% of students learned something about being healthy from reading the newspaper (2008–2009 results)
- 83% of student reporters said participating in the program improved writing skills including writing, creativity and vocabulary (2009–2010 results)
- 80% of student reporters identified the importance of sourcing information they used (2009–2010 results)
Student readers
"I read about a teacher . . . she runs every day. I think I should get outside more than I usually do."
- 80% would recommend that other schools have a Healthy NewsWorks paper (2008–2009 results)
- 73% said they learned something about being healthy from reading the paper (2008–2009 results)
- 72% enjoyed their school's newspaper (2008–2009 results)
Teachers
"Students are learning about health/wellness and applying it to their lives"
- 85% of teachers discussed newspaper content in their classroom (2008–2009 results)
- 81% of teachers believe the newspaper has positive impact on health beliefs and attitudes of their students (2008–2009 results)
- 100% of teachers recommended that other schools have a Healthy NewsWorks paper (2008–2009 results)
- 96% of participating teachers recommend Healthy NewsWorks paper to others (2006–2007 results)
- 56% of teachers have used Healthy NewsWorks as a classroom instructional tool (2007–2008 results)
Parents
"My son has become more aware of what's healthy and what's not"
- Two-thirds of parents who read the newspaper reported a positive impact on the eating habits or attitudes of their children (2007–2008 results)
- 90% of parents recommended that other schools have a Healthy NewsWorks paper (2007–2008 results)
- 70% of parents discuss the newspaper with their children (2006–2007 results)