A coalition of UN agencies, networks, donors and global organizations
Core components of school-based and school-linked approaches
Promoting educational success, health and development
Schools, agencies, systems For Recovery, Engagement, Social Inclusion and Health
FRESH, an intersectoral framework and global partnership for promoting the educational success, health, and development of school-age children and adolescents through schools, was launched by UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank during the World Education Forum,
FRESH Partners often organize webinars and open web meetings as part of our activities.
LINK: FRESH WEBINARS
The FRESH Framework.. learn more
The framework, which was originally called Focusing Resources on Effective School Health (FRESH), has evolved over the years in recognition of emerging trends and needs. Similar to and supportive of the multiple sectors and intersectoral cooperation needed to achieve the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the common framework adopted by FRESH Partners retains a broad view of the many facets of health while engaging with other sectors working on different aspects of human development such as safety from violence & crime, equity, inclusion, relief & development aid, social and sustainable development. As the partnership continued its work, the focus on access to schooling, attendance and educational attainment has increased and become central to our discussions. We also emphasize that schools, other agencies and ministries need to address the needs of the whole child through a holistic core curriculum and broad educational goals as well as through health, social and other services that address their specific issue while recognizing its connection to the overall health and development of the child.
Consequently, we use the phrase "promoting educational success, health and development" and the FRESH icon as a way to reflect the shared goals of many multi-component approaches such as health promoting schools, child-friendly schools, school-health & nutrition, community schools, safe schools, education in emergencies and many others. The FRESH framework lists key components or "pillars" that are common to all of these approaches, These common components are ministry/agency/school policies, classroom and other forms of education/learning, health & other services, a safe, healthy physical environment and a positive social environment that includes student and parent involvement. The FRESH framework also lists essential cross-cutting themes such as intersectoral partnerships, country ownership, child rights and participation, contextualization of programs/strategies and community participation. As well, the FRAMEWORK includes several topic/problem based themes or multi-intervention programs such as violence prevention, reducing risk from disasters, nutrition and many others. Practical and realistic indicators of progress have been developed for the original 15 topics and more are being developed for new topics such as mental health, child abuse/exploitation, bullying and family violence.
The FRESH framework positions the school as a hub within the community to serve students and families. Consequently, we are concerned about school-based and school-linked programs/initiatives that reach beyond the school to support parents, engage with community organizations and are part of regional or national strategies. As well, while we often use the term "school" in these discussions, research and experience has taught us that school-level initiatives or single-focus programs are insufficient and unsustainable without the full involvement of local/regional authorities and ministries in several sectors through long-term, capacity-building, systems-based, continuous improvement planning and action.
The framework, which was originally called Focusing Resources on Effective School Health (FRESH), has evolved over the years in recognition of emerging trends and needs. Similar to and supportive of the multiple sectors and intersectoral cooperation needed to achieve the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the common framework adopted by FRESH Partners retains a broad view of the many facets of health while engaging with other sectors working on different aspects of human development such as safety from violence & crime, equity, inclusion, relief & development aid, social and sustainable development. As the partnership continued its work, the focus on access to schooling, attendance and educational attainment has increased and become central to our discussions. We also emphasize that schools, other agencies and ministries need to address the needs of the whole child through a holistic core curriculum and broad educational goals as well as through health, social and other services that address their specific issue while recognizing its connection to the overall health and development of the child.
Consequently, we use the phrase "promoting educational success, health and development" and the FRESH icon as a way to reflect the shared goals of many multi-component approaches such as health promoting schools, child-friendly schools, school-health & nutrition, community schools, safe schools, education in emergencies and many others. The FRESH framework lists key components or "pillars" that are common to all of these approaches, These common components are ministry/agency/school policies, classroom and other forms of education/learning, health & other services, a safe, healthy physical environment and a positive social environment that includes student and parent involvement. The FRESH framework also lists essential cross-cutting themes such as intersectoral partnerships, country ownership, child rights and participation, contextualization of programs/strategies and community participation. As well, the FRAMEWORK includes several topic/problem based themes or multi-intervention programs such as violence prevention, reducing risk from disasters, nutrition and many others. Practical and realistic indicators of progress have been developed for the original 15 topics and more are being developed for new topics such as mental health, child abuse/exploitation, bullying and family violence.
The FRESH framework positions the school as a hub within the community to serve students and families. Consequently, we are concerned about school-based and school-linked programs/initiatives that reach beyond the school to support parents, engage with community organizations and are part of regional or national strategies. As well, while we often use the term "school" in these discussions, research and experience has taught us that school-level initiatives or single-focus programs are insufficient and unsustainable without the full involvement of local/regional authorities and ministries in several sectors through long-term, capacity-building, systems-based, continuous improvement planning and action.
The FRESH Partnership, a coalition of UN agencies, donors and global NGO's, is pleased to invite everyone interested on school health and development to join us in two series of web meetings and webinars during March. Dates, times and details of these sessions can be found on the FRESH web site at:
https://www.fresh-partners.org/fresh-webinarsweb-meetings.html
Concept Notes and Background Papers for the:
FRESH Working Group on Health Literacy, Life Skills & Social Inclusion
As you know, ISHN has been facilitating this WG with the other members of the FRESH Partnership.The WG has involved over 80 experts, officials and practitioners from several UN agencies, universities and NGO’s in these activities:
We are starting to bring the pieces together into an extensive report with recommendations that will be followed up on by the research network and consortium of education and other faculties. Webinars and Concept Notes have been or are being completed:
On the Scope and Nature of HPSD Education/Social Inclusion
Fact-finding Survey & Policy/Curriculum Analysis
In tandem with this work, ISHN is working with UNICEF, UNESCO and other partners to gather the facts about the current status of HPSD education within the overall comprehensive framework developed by the FRESH Partners. This will include a global fact-finding survey and analysis plan to collect and examine curriculum, guidance and policy documents.
The fact-finding survey will:
The analysis on social inclusion will emulate an EU analysis and several reviews measuring social & emotional learning. Other analyses will be done on school food & nutrition
Covid 19 Round Up
You will likely have seen that several organizations have been responding to the Covid 19 crisis with various resources and activities. Here is a quick round up
https://www.fresh-partners.org/fresh-webinarsweb-meetings.html
- Two open web meetings will continue the discussions from the FRESH Working Group on Health Literacy, Life Skills and Social Inclusion. This WG has over 70 experts, officials and practitioners contributing their expertise in a series of linked discussions on an agenda of topics. On March 3, the practical applications of behaviour theories will be discussed. On March 18, participants will discuss Life Skills programs.
- Five webinars expanding on the FRESH panel presentation being held at the CIES (Comparative Education) Conference March 20-26, 2020 in Miami will be held between March 3rd and March 12th. The topics include Breadth of Learning Opportunities (March 3), HPSD Education (March 5th), SH in Low Resource Countries (March 10), Systems Change (March 11th) and the Global Fact-Finding Survey (March 12th)
Concept Notes and Background Papers for the:
FRESH Working Group on Health Literacy, Life Skills & Social Inclusion
As you know, ISHN has been facilitating this WG with the other members of the FRESH Partnership.The WG has involved over 80 experts, officials and practitioners from several UN agencies, universities and NGO’s in these activities:
- The FRESH Working Group which is preparing a comprehensive report and recommendations for measuring, monitoring & improving HPSD education through a series of 20+ open web meetings led by experts. Each web meeting is recorded, supported by concept notes and selected readings. These will be rolled up into the final report in the fall of 2020.
- A parallel International Research Network formed by the World Education Research Association (WERA) that will take up and seek participants/funding to conduct the research identified by the WG
- A Consortium of Education & Other Faculties, co-led by the Global Network of Deans of Education (GNDE) and the International School Health Network (ISHN) that will map out a long-term workforce development approach for countries & global agencies to consider when developing the HPSD education workforce (educators and other professionals who work in and with schools)
- A focused PVE project & advisory committee of 39 people creating a research/knowledge development agenda on how a multi-intervention, social inclusion approach can prevent violent extremism, youth alienation and other anti-social behaviours. This project, funded by Public Safety Canada, is an example of the follow up work on themes identified by the overall FRESH WG
We are starting to bring the pieces together into an extensive report with recommendations that will be followed up on by the research network and consortium of education and other faculties. Webinars and Concept Notes have been or are being completed:
On the Scope and Nature of HPSD Education/Social Inclusion
- Competency-based, Cross-Curricular Frameworks & Generic HPSD Student Learning Objectives
- Learning in Extended Education Activities
- Minimum Instructional Time/Timetabling
- Long-term, systemic Workforce development for Teachers & Others
- Concepts & Tools to Implement, Maintain, Scale Up & Sustain Programs
- Health Literacy
- Life Skills
- Social Inclusion
- Digital & Media Literacy
- Critical Thinking
- Social & Emotional Learning
- Disaster Risk Reduction & Recovery
- Ed. for Sustainable Development
- Global Citizenship
- Behaviour Theories
- Positive Behaviour Support
Fact-finding Survey & Policy/Curriculum Analysis
In tandem with this work, ISHN is working with UNICEF, UNESCO and other partners to gather the facts about the current status of HPSD education within the overall comprehensive framework developed by the FRESH Partners. This will include a global fact-finding survey and analysis plan to collect and examine curriculum, guidance and policy documents.
The fact-finding survey will:
- Be sent to all countries and states/provinces (n=300+)
- Ask questions re core components (policy, education, services, social environment and physical environment)
- Ask if country has selected 4-5 national priority issues, components or sub-populations to focus resources
- Ask which aspects of the whole child, which ministries, which of 16 MCA’s, (healthy schools, safe schools, child friendly schools etc.) and which of 30+ MIP’s (nutrition, bullying, school dropout, etc.) are addressed
- Ask if country has used evidence-based tools to do situation assessment and to ensure high quality implementation, planning and assessment
- Ask if country participates in global surveys such as HBSC, GSHS, etc
- Ask if country has explicit strategy to integrate/mainstream within education system (educ. Benefits, personnel to schools etc.)
- Ask if country is using systems-focused actions such as joint ministry budgeting, joint/paired assignments, consultations with middle managers etc. that modify system routines & structures
- curriculum structure (Health alone, Health &Life Skills, HPSD, Health &PE etc.)
- required or recommended instructional time for HPSD
- coherence with cross-curricular competency frameworks
- Status of a generic or essential student learning outcomes in HPSD,
- emphasis on student agency and teacher self-efficacy
The analysis on social inclusion will emulate an EU analysis and several reviews measuring social & emotional learning. Other analyses will be done on school food & nutrition
Covid 19 Round Up
You will likely have seen that several organizations have been responding to the Covid 19 crisis with various resources and activities. Here is a quick round up
- Save the Children/FRESH webinar on hand washing (WASH) programs -Here are the web links to the recording and slide presentations.
- The Health Promotion program at WHO has convened an informal working group to advise on school-based and school-linked actions (ISHN has been invited to be part of that group)
- The Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Directorate of Education and Skills of the OECD are collaborating in the development of a decision-support framework to support governments in devising education responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Go to their initial survey
- A collection of resources prepared by the American School Health Association
- ASHA Webinar: Pandemic Preparedness-School Plans for Coronavirus
- COVID-19 – EDUCATION & HEALTH SECTORS (As of 3/19/20)
- UPDATED Guidance for School Settings from CDC (As of 3/13/20)
- Classroom Resources for Teachers from CDC Healthy Schools
- CDC FAQs for Administrators of K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
- US Department of Education Information and Resources for Schools
- EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19 (As of March 13, 2020)
- The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) is collecting resources and posting them on this web page
- The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools in Canada is collecting research questions for rapid evidence reviews related to COVID-19 currently in development. If you or your organization are completing evidence reviews on topics related to COVID-19, we encourage you to share your research questions with others across the country.
- Submit your research question.
- Visit the webpage to see review topics from across the country.
