Evaluation of the Coalition Index: A Guide to School Health Education Materials.

ABSTRACT

This evaluation examined the diffusion of an innovation entitled the Coalition Index A Guide to School Health Education Materials. After distributing the Index to a sample of school district health coordinators (n = 39), interviews were completed with 92% of coordinators about their perceptions of the Index and their concern for organizing health resources within their professional role. A one-year follow-up interview was conducted to determine levels of implementation and diffusion. Coordinators responded favorably to the Index as an innovation. Concern scores were limited to those relating to self-management and task-management. Moreover, concern scores demonstrated significant, positive associations (p less than .01) with current use of the Index, and 49% of coordinators were users of the innovation one year after introduction. Results are discussed as they relate to diffusion of innovation stages.