School Physical Activity & Nutrition-Environment Tool (SPAN-ET)

SPAN-ET targets elementary school-aged youth (grades k-5/6) in SNAP-Ed eligible (>50% students eligible for free/reduced meals) elementary school settings. HSPAN-ET targets middle and high school-aged youth (grades 7-12) in SNAP-Ed eligible middle and high school settings.      Settings: Schools  Age/Population Group: Elementary School; Middle School, High School Race: All Ethnicity: All

SPAN-ET includes direct observation, interview, document review, and school wellness coalitions. Coalitions include SNAP-Ed staff, utilize the SPAN-ET Results and Resource Guide that provides assessment details to individual schools as to which criteria were met relative to their SPAN-ET scores, and links appropriate research-based, practice-based or emerging PSE strategies with each criterion to tailor school-based PSE implementation to unmet criteria. The HSPAN-ET engages middle and/or high school students as auditors to conduct direct observation, interview, and document review and participate as members of school wellness coalitions. These intervention components contribute to school environmental and policy improvements aimed at supporting students' healthy weight, healthy dietary, and PA behaviors at school.

The SPAN-ET was evaluated to be a reliable instrument for assessing the quality of elementary school PA and nutrition environments and a sensitive measure for objectively identifying specific attributes of SPAN-ET areas of interest (PSEs) to target for school environmental and policy improvements aimed at supporting students' weight healthy dietary and PA behaviors at school. John, DH, Gunter, K, Jackson, J, & Manore, M (2016). Developing the School Physical Activity and Nutrition Environment Tool (SPAN-ET) to Measure Qualities of the Obesogenic Context. J Sch Health.86(1):39-47. John, DH, Halverson, B, & Ho, T. (2019). Adapting an Elementary School Nutrition Context Assessment for High School Settings and Students. J Human Sci Extension, 7(3).    Evidence Base: Research-tested

Based on the SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework, the following outcome indicators can be used to evaluate intervention progress and success.   Readiness and Capacity - Short Term (ST) Changes - Medium Term (MT) Effectiveness and Maintenance - Long Term (LT) Population Results (R) Individual         Environmental Settings ST5 ,  ST7 MT5 , MT6 LT5 , LT6 , LT9 , LT10 Sectors of Influence

The SPAN-ET is an environmental evaluation tool for assessing and prioritizing PSE interventions in schools; SPAN-ET population dose evaluation materials are now available (launched 2022). Developers proposed (pending funding) to validate the SPAN-ET item (Area of Interest) effectiveness relative to population-level dose (reach X strength). To date, examination has included only select SPAN-ET-driven PA PSE change relative to changes in reached students' in-school PA bout behaviors and weekly levels.

Website : Oregon State Extension SPAN-ET webpage includes an overview of the SPAN-ET and sample HSPAN-ET tools.   Contact Person(s): Deborah H. John, Program Director  Professor and Extension Specialist for Health Equity and Place  College of Health  Oregon State University Email: deborah.john@oregonstate.edu Phone: (541) 737-1405      *Updated as of October 2, 2023