School Health

1 in 5 parents consider if their child in middle or high school needs a mental health day when deciding whether they’re too sick to go to school. 1 in 4 parents think school attendance policies make it difficult for children with medical conditions. 2 in 3 parents say their child in middle or high school worries about the impact on grades if they are absent from school.

3 in 4 parents are concerned about the impact of air quality problems on their child’s health. 2 in 3 parents report poor or unhealthy air quality in their area, most often related to wildfires. Among parents reporting poor air quality in their area, 1 in 5 believe it affected their child’s health.

Half of parents say their child walks through the car drop-off or pick-up area when going to or from school. Over one-third of parents say drivers not paying attention or speeding are major problems around their child’s school. 1 in 3 parents say schools should suspend or ban parents who do not follow traffic rules from entering the school parking area.

Over half of parents say at least one aspect of the 2020-21 school year was worse for their child than the prior year, while 1 in 3 say at least one aspect was better. 4 in 10 parents say their child is more enthusiastic about the 2021-22 school year than last year. 3 in 5 parents say their child would feel safer if most students and teachers were vaccinated against COVID.

1 in 3 parents definitely support having a mental health program like peer support leaders at their teen's school. 2 in 3 parents would allow their teen to be trained as a peer support leader. Parent concerns about peer support leaders include confidentiality, training, and identifying crisis situations.

3 in 4 parents say their home tap water is safe for their child to drink. 1 in 3 parents believe the city or county would notify them if there was a problem with their home water supply. Two-thirds of parents from higher-income households report that both home tap water and school drinking fountains are safe for their child to drink, compared to only half of lower-income parents.

1 in 4 parents say their middle or high school age-child knows a peer or classmate with depression. Though most parents are confident they would recognize depression in their middle or high school-age child, two-thirds cite barriers to recognizing signs and symptoms. 7 in 10 parents think schools should screen all students for depression; 6th grade is the most preferred age to begin depression screening.

Parents are more confident that their child's school can provide first aid (77%) than assist a student having an asthma attack (58%) or a mental health problem (38%). Parents view school nurses as most likely to provide first aid or handle an asthma attack, but are less sure about which staff would assist with mental health issues. Parents may overestimate the amount of time a school nurse is onsite at their child's school.

Most parents say schools should, and do, teach wellness, drug/alcohol abuse, and sex education. Two-thirds of parents say schools definitely should cover emotional/mental health, yet only one-third say it is currently covered. Over 60% of parents want students to learn basic first aid and CPR.

Half of parents with teens whose schools currently start before 8:30 a.m. would support a school start time of 8:30 or later. 40% of parents believe their teens would get more sleep if school started at 8:30 a.m. or later. 22% of parents say having a start time of 8:30 a.m. or later would not allow enough time for after school activities.