Mississippi Elementary School Teachers' Perspectives on Providing Nutrition Competencies under the Framework of Their School Wellness Policy
Abstract
Objective
Identify elementary teachers' implementation of nutrition competencies as part of their school wellness policies (SWP) guided by Organizational Change Theory (OCT) constructs.
Methods
A 32-item, cross-sectional survey was distributed through a Web link e-mailed to teachers in Mississippi public elementary schools. Response rate was 34% (n = 947) from 30 schools. Principal component factor analysis for inter-item correlations and theoretical fit to OCT was used with internal consistency reliability coefficients determined using Cronbach's α for Likert-type scales.
Results
A majority of teachers (85.5%) favors their SWPs and has transitioned through the unfreezing stage. Lack of teacher input, time, resources, and recognition for providing nutrition education reflects that teachers do not have support for transitioning through the moving stage.
Conclusions and Implications
Use of evaluation tools to facilitate teachers' progress through the moving stage into the refreezing stage would be advantageous in supporting organizational change as school administrations implement SWPs.
1Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, School of Applied Sciences, The University of Mississippi, University, MS
2Department of Curriculum and Instruction, School of Education, The University of Mississippi, University, MS
3Department of Leadership and Counselor Education, School of Education, The University of Mississippi, University, MS
Address for correspondence: Laurel G. Lambert, PhD, RD, LD, School of Applied Sciences, The University of Mississippi, PO Box 1848, University, MS 38677; Phone: (662) 915-7807; Fax: (662) 915-7039
ABSTRACT