2010–2011 Launch of the International Accreditation Program for Health Promoting School and establishment of the International Accreditation Center for Health Promoting School
In line with the implementation of the second-generation Health-Promoting School (HPS) mechanism, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), Ministry of Health and Welfare, has been advocating the HPS Accreditation and International Connection Program since 2011, emphasizing evidence-based health promotion schools and international communication. The management of the program was entrusted to Professor Fu-li Chen and her research team at Fu Jen Catholic University, leading to the establishment of the International Accreditation Center for Health Promoting School.
With reference to the World Health Organization`s (WHO) updated 2009 guidelines, “Development of Health Promoting School – A Framework for Action,”an expert working group on health promoting school accreditation was established, completing the development of accreditation indicators. Five international experts and researchers specializing in HPS were invited to serve as international accreditation committee members. After a pilot evaluation, the accreditation standards and mechanism for health promoting school in Taiwan were jointly developed. Specifically, six standards—healthy school policy, school physical environment, school social environment, healthy living skills teaching and action, community relationships, and health services—and 63 assessment items were established.
2012 First international accreditation
A total of 293 schools applied for the first international accreditation, and 214 schools participated. 4 schools received the Gold Award, 14 received the Silver Award, and 120 received the Bronze Award. The first International Accreditation Ceremony for Health Promoting School was held that year to recognize all award-winning schools.
2013 Simplification of accreditation requirements and process
After the first international accreditation, the evaluation mechanism was identified as requiring revision, particularly with respect to item discrimination, the validity and reliability of accreditation standards, and the cumbersome nature of the evaluation process. Expert meetings, expert validity analysis, in-depth interviews with award-winning schools, and questionnaire surveys (validity and reliability checks) were conducted, along with discussions with the international accreditation committee. Consequently, the number of accreditation assessment items was streamlined from 63 to 47 while maintaining a full score of 100 points. On-site visits to Bronze Award candidate schools were introduced to increase the credibility of the accreditation review.
2014 Second international accreditation
In total, 238 schools applied for the second accreditation, and 182 schools participated. 5 schools received the Gold Award, 20 received the Silver Award, 31 received the Bronze Award, and 41 received the Proof of Participation Award. A second award ceremony was held that year to recognize the winners.
2015 Adjustments to accreditation rating and process
Feedback from expert meetings, schools, and local government units during the second international accreditation indicated that a further revision of the existing accreditation standards and process was necessary. To improve the accreditation system, the accreditation standards and process were revised, and the accuracy and consistency of committee ratings in the accreditation process were strengthened.
2016 Third international accreditation
In total, 119 schools applied for the third certification, and 101 schools participated. 4 schools received the Gold Award, 20 received the Silver Award, and 24 received the Bronze Award. The Third International Accreditation Ceremony for Health Promoting School was held that year to recognize all award-winning schools.
2017 Effective accreditation practices and reduction of administrative burden
Through the three accreditation exercises, the specific direction for the development of the HPS accreditation system was identified. To facilitate effective practices in accreditation and reduce the administrative burden on local government units, the accreditation content and process were further revised. By developing core standards for international accreditation and participating in international seminars, Taiwan’s international accreditation of health promoting school was aligned with global HPS guidelines.
2018 Fourth international accreditation
In total, 121 schools participated in the fourth accreditation. 5 schools received the Gold Award, 31 received the Silver Award, 23 received the Bronze Award, 18 received the Certificate of Merit, and 10 received the Award of Excellence for Special Topics. The Fourth International Accreditation Ceremony for Health Promoting School was held that year to recognize all the winners.
2019–2022 Advocating the third-generation health promoting school program; transforming the International Accreditation Center into a Health Promoting School International Network Center
Starting from 2019, Taiwan aligned with the latest global standards and indicators for HPS published by the WHO and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in June 2021. This project focused on revising and developing new monitoring indicators and reward mechanisms. In 2020, it proposed the preliminary framework for the third-generation HPS (HPS 3.0) initiative while transforming the Health Promotion International Accreditation Center into the Health Promoting School International Network Center.
From 2021 to 2022, the eight standards for HPS 3.0, which cover both governmental and school-related dimensions, were developed. Trial schools applied the concept strategies of HPS 3.0 to promote school health, confirming the feasibility of implementing these standards. Collaborative efforts between county and city education and health units to invest in HPS were emphasized, culminating in the official launch of HPS 3.0.
2023–present Implementing the Health Promoting School Feature Award Program
To promote the HPS 3.0 initiative and distinguish it from previous international accreditation frameworks, the Health Promoting School Feature Award Program was launched in 2023. Under this program, awards are divided into Excellence Awards and Feature Awards, with the latter further categorized into the Community Partnership Award, Innovative Curriculum Award, Supportive Environment Award, and Health Service Award.
Based on the eight standards, the Excellence Awards were established to recognize schools that represent a new generation of health promotion models focusing on holistic approaches, whole-school involvement, community engagement, and governmental collaboration. These schools should also demonstrate outstanding performance in various health indicators. Based on the core concepts of Standards Four to Eight, the Feature Awards were established to recognize schools excelling in specific areas.
In 2023, 91 schools participated. The following awards were presented. 3 schools received the Excellent Gold Award, 5 received the Excellent Silver Award, 14 received the Excellent Bronze Award, and 5 received the Excellent Promotion Award. Furthermore, various special awards were presented, namely 5 Community Partner Awards, 5 Innovative Curriculum Awards, 5 Environmental Support Awards, and 5 Health Service Awards. In that year, the K-12 Education Administration and the HPA jointly organized the 111th academic year National Health Promotion Schools Program Achievement Presentation for senior secondary and lower-level schools nationwide. This event aimed to commend winning schools and encourage collaborative efforts among county and city education and health units in promoting health initiatives.
In 2024, the event was renamed the Health Promoting School Feature Award Competition, which maintains the award categories from the previous year. A total of 108 schools participated. The following awards were presented. 3 schools received the Excellent Gold Award, 5 received the Excellent Silver Award, 15 received the Excellent Bronze Award, and 7 received the Excellent Promotion Award. Various special awards were presented, namely 5 Community Partner Awards, 5 Innovative Curriculum Awards, 5 Environmental Support Awards, and 5 Health Service Awards. In that year, the K-12 Education Administration and the HPA jointly organized the 112th academic year National Health Promotion Schools Program Achievement Presentation for senior secondary and lower-level schools nationwide. This event aimed to recognize winning schools and their respective county or city education and health units.
