About the WellSAT
Welcome to the WellSAT: Introductory Video
This introductory video provides an overview of the WellSAT and how to use the tool:
Who should use this tool?
- District level school officials
- Members of School Wellness Advisory Boards or committees, particularly those charged with evaluation responsibilities
- Public health professionals
- School-level officials, provided they have a clear understanding that the tool is to be used for assessment of district, rather than school-level wellness policies.
How to Find Your Policy
This video will help you find all of the documents you need to score your policy:
How to Score Your Policy
School wellness policies are evaluated based on the degree to which they address 67 policy items. These items are categorized into six sections:
1. Nutrition Education
2. Standards for USDA Child Nutrition Programs and School Meals
3. Nutrition Standards for Competitive and Other Foods and Beverages
4. Physical Education and Activity
5. Wellness Promotion and Marketing
6. Implementation, Evaluation and Communication
Each policy item is rated "0," "1," or "2," using the definitions below. The WellSAT lists each policy item, followed by an explanation of the item and examples of text from real policies that would be rated "1" and "2".
Click the 
icon to see example statements.
0 - Not Mentioned
The item is not included in the text of the policy.
1 - Weak Statement
Assign a rating of "1" when the item is mentioned, but
- The policy will be hard to enforce because the statement is vague, unclear, or confusing.
- Statements are listed as goals, aspirations, suggestions, or recommendations.
- There are loopholes in the policy that weaken enforcement of the item.
- The policy mentions a future plan to act without specifying when the plan will be established.
Words often used in statements rated as a "1" are: may, can, could, should, might, encourage, suggest, urge, some, partial, make an effort, and try.
2 - Meets or Exceeds Expectations
Assign a rating of "2" when the item is mentioned and it is clear that the policy makers are committed to making the item happen because:
- Strong language is used to indicate that action or regulation is required
- The item is described with concrete plans or strategies for implementation
Words often used in statements rated as a “2” are: shall, will, must, have to, insist, require, all, total, comply and enforce.
Expert tip: One method for deciding between assigning a rating of "1" or "2" is to consider the scenario of a parent approaching a school district’s Board of Education to discuss an issue. If the policy is ambiguous on how the school should handle the issue, assign the item a rating of "1." If the written policy gives clear guidance about how to decide whether the school is compliant with the policy, assign the item a rating of "2."
How Scores are Calculated
The WellSAT will give you two scores: a comprehensiveness score, which reflects the extent to which recommended content areas are covered in the policy; and a strength score, which describes how strongly the content is stated. Both scores range from 0-100, with lower scores indicating less content and weaker language, and higher scores indicating more content and use of specific and directive language.
Comprehensiveness Score by section
Comprehensiveness is calculated by counting the number of items in each section rated as “1” or “2,” dividing this number by the number of policy items in the section, and multiplying this number by 100.
Strength Score by section
Strength is calculated by counting the number of items in each section rated as “2,” dividing this number by the number of policy items in the section, and multiplying this number by 100.
Total Comprehensiveness
Total comprehensiveness is calculated by adding the comprehensiveness scores of all six sections and dividing this number by six (the total number of sections).
Total Strength
Total strength is calculated by adding the strength scores of all six sections and dividing this number by six (the total number of sections).
The example below shows the calculation of sample scores for Section 1 of WellSAT 3.0.
Section 1. Nutrition Education
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Rating
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NE1
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Federal Requirement: Includes goals for nutrition education that are designed to promote student wellness in a manner that the local education agency determines is appropriate
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2
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NE2
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Nutrition education teaches skills that are behavior focused, interactive, and/or participatory
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2
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NE3
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All elementary school students receive sequential and comprehensive nutrition education
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1
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NE4
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All middle school students receive sequential and comprehensive nutrition education
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1
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NE5
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All high school students receive sequential and comprehensive nutrition education
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1
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NE6
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Nutrition education is integrated into other subjects beyond health education
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0
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NE7
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Links nutrition education with the school food environment
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2
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NE8
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Nutrition education addresses agriculture and the food system.
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0
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Subtotal for
Section 1
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Comprehensiveness Score:
Count the number of items rated as “1” or “2” and divide this number by 8. Multiply by 100. Do not count an item if the rating is “0.”
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75
|
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Strength Score:
Count the number of items rated as “2” and divide this number by 8. Multiply by 100.
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38
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Comprehensiveness Score: Three items are rated as "1" and three items are rated as "2," for a total of 6 items. Six divided by 8 equals 0.75, multiplied by 100 for a score of 75.
Strength Score: Three items are rated as "2." Three divided by 8 equals 0.38, multiplied by 100 for a score of 38.
Know Your State Laws
We recommend a thorough review of your state’s laws and regulations because some states have laws that exceed federal standards for topics related to school wellness. It is important to become familiar with relevant laws in your state. To review state laws pertaining to wellness, visit the website of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE).
If you state has a law that requires an element of the WellSAT, it is best practice to reiterate and reference the state law in your policy.
Expert tip:
Sometimes school districts are unaware of or unclear about some aspects of a state law, and this is reflected in their policies. Here is an example from Connecticut:
Example statement from a Connecticut school district policy: "Schools shall offer low-fat (1%) and fat-free milk."
Reason this is not in complete compliance with CT law: In the absence of further statements about milk, this policy would not indicate that milk will meet the specific requirements of state statute (CGS 10-221q), which specify that milk must contain no more than 4 grams of sugar per ounce and no artificial sweeteners, and is sold in portion sizes no larger than 12 fluid ounces. Instead, the policy should reference the state law and reiterate that the district will only provide beverages that are in compliance with state law.