Formative evaluation results from the Mariner Project: A coordinated school health pilot program

This study determined the extent to which a coordinated school health progr am (CSHP) infrastructure was in place and functioning adequately within a t wo- to three year developmental period in South Carolina. The Mariner Proje ct's eight-component model Mas implemented in three middle schools and thei r four feeder elementary schools in three communities. Evaluation criteria for the Mariner Project reflect rigorous, minimum adequacy performance stan dards, and were based on national standards for school health practice and research and objective judgments of project performance. Eleven critical pe rformance elements were developed, and a modified indexing procedure was ut ilized for project evaluation efforts. Results suggest that a combination o f four critical performance elements, 1) Administrative Support/Buy-In, 2)C oordination of the Eight-Component Personnel School-Based Health Promotion Team, 3) Program Champion/Liaison/Facilitator, and 4) Staff Wellness Coordi nator served as the foundation for adequate or less-than-adequate performan ce for each school among the remaining critical elements, and subsequently for the overall Mariner Project.