This guide provides school leaders with a framework and tools for developing and implementing a comprehensive school health program. Theoretical and scientific information relating to students' needs is outlined, and approaches that have proven successful in other schools are described. The book is divided into three parts: The first, "Why Comprehensive School Health?" examines the role of the school and the foundation of effective school health programs. The second part, "A Blueprint for School Health Programs" includes background information and hands-on assessment worksheets for each of 8 areas of a comprehensive school health program: (1) school health instruction; (2) healthy school environment; (3) school health services; (4) school-based physical education; (5) school nutrition and food services; (6) school-based counseling and personal support; (7) schoolsite health promotion; and (8) school, family and community health promotion partnerships. The final part, "Developing a Comprehensive School Health Program," consists of 19 steps for making this goal a reality. Numerous tables, guidelines, figures, checklists, and worksheets for district level coordinators, state and county administratrors, and other key decision makers are included. Appendices provide worksheets, a sample comprehensive health program self-assessment; a scope and sequence chart for a comprehensive health program, and resources for comprehensive health education. (Contains 20 references.) (LL)