Children's Programs

AASA has championed efforts to improve the lives of children in public schools by working directly with local school district leaders, state affiliate directors and other strategic partners across sectors.

Current Projects

AASA's current projects are on asthma management, healthy school environments, youth development and healthy eating and active living, all with an emphasis on disparities or gaps in well-being among children from low-income families. All children everywhere can be successful within and outside of the school walls.

What's Noteworthy From AASA?

Join AASA members and staff at the National Youth Leadership Council's Administrators Academy (PDF) on Thursday, March 25 at the National Service Learning Conference in San Jose.

AASA supports and applauds First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative to combat childhoood obesity. If you would like technical assistance on aspects of the Let's Move initiative, let us know.

Building Success, Leading Change: Stories of Healthy School Environments --  The latest edition of this publication explores the parrallels between urban and rural school districts that have successfully implemented and sustained a healthy learning environment by addressing indoor air quality.  Read how the North East Independent School District of San Antonio, Texas and Auburn City  Schools of Auburn, Alabama have become successful in achieving a healthy school environment. Click here to get the latest edition.

Asthma Communications Toolkit -- This one-stop online resource for school leaders to obtain information, forms and templates to communicate about asthma management in schools with staff, parents, the community and the media.

AASA Offers Customized Indoor Air Quality Programming
Do you need to improve the indoor air quality of the schools in your district? Are you looking to direct your staff to reliable assistance and training in pest management, HVAC standards and proper maintenance? Do you know what choices to make to ensure that your students’ learning environments are the best suited for active engagement, asthma control and improved test scores? AASA offers its members and their district staff technical assistance, information and networking opportunities proven to help school districts start and sustain customized indoor air quality programs. Complete the Indoor Air Quality Technical Assistance Form (PDF) for individualized assistance and information for your district.

Hear what AASA members have to say about the importance of a healthy child:

Listen to AASA Past President Eugene White, superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools (Ind.), comment on the need for healthy students in schools.
(Windows Media/QuickTime)

See Beverly Hall, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools (Ga.) and 2009 AASA Superintendent of the Year, talk about the problem of asthma in schools and why superintendents should be involved in making asthma management a priority. (Windows Media/QuickTime)