SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the release of a new publication entitled Getting Results: Developing Safe and Healthy Kids Update 5; Student Health, Supportive Schools, and Academic Success.  The publication summarizes a growing body of research that shows the relationship between nutrition, physical fitness, supportive learning environments, and how students perform in school.

"This publication sends a clear message that California should continue to fund learning support programs that prevent drug use or violence, provide nutrition services, and promote physical activity," said O'Connell. "Students must be active, healthy, and have a safe environment in which to learn and thrive over time in order for them to be successful in school."

Getting Results reviewed all published research articles in respected professional journals that show sufficient evidence of a link between student health and academic achievement. The publication also specifically explores the relationship between the health of California students and the state's accountability model called the Academic Performance Index (API). Schools with lower APIs had a relatively large number of students reporting problems like substance abuse, being threatened or injured, and being charged with weapons possession. Schools with higher API scores had higher percentages of students who were physically active, had good diets, and felt safe at school.

"We know that alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use is related to reduced attention spans, lower investment in homework, a more negative attitude toward school, lower motivation, and increased absenteeism," said O'Connell. "Fortunately, Getting Results illustrates specific science-based programs that can improve both academic and behavioral outcomes by fostering a supportive and positive school climate."

O'Connell has already taken steps to improve student health and academic success with his initiatives to attack the epidemic of childhood obesity, implement nutritional standards for school food services, and promote high-quality instructional programs in health and physical education. For more information about health and prevention programs, please visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Web site at Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug Prevention - Health. For more information on childhood obesity, please visit Childhood Obesity & Diabetes Task Force - Health. For more information on the Superintendent's other initiatives, please visit State of Education - Initiatives.

Free copies of Getting Results will be distributed to every school district in California. The publication may also be downloaded from the CDE-sponsored Getting Results [http://www.gettingresults.org/] Web site (Outside Source).