[From MCH Alert - Nov. 21, 2008]

The School Environment and Adolescent Well-Being: Beyond Academics looks at school as an environment affecting multiple aspects of adolescent development. The brief, produced by Child Trends, is designed to be of particular interest to school principals, district staff, and others responsible for all aspects of school functioning as well as to those focusing on narrower ranges of school functions (e.g., academics, health and safety, civic development) who want a better sense of how their concerns fit into the larger environment. National estimates from a variety of sources are presented. Topics include health (obesity, drug use, mental health, health care), school safety and school violence, school social supports,
academic quality, and civic engagement. A discussion of the challenges of changing demographics for school administrators and conclusions are also presented. The brief is available online.