Finding Common Ground in Human Sexuality and Other Adolescent Health Issues
82nd Annual School Health Conference of the American School Health Association
November 12 - 15, 2008 * Tampa, Florida

General Information

1. The ASHA Research Council invites papers for consideration for presentation at the 82nd Annual School Health Conference of the American School Health Association, November 12 - 15, 2008, in Tampa, Florida.
2. Papers should describe research related to coordinated school health programs for preK-12 grade levels.
3. Abstracts that address "Finding Common Ground" are encouraged. Research performed using college-age young adults or related to research methods and professional preparation will be considered if the authors articulate the significance to the school health program. Submission is open to all scientists, irrespective of membership in ASHA or the Research Council.
4. Applications must be received no later than July 31, 2008

1. Applications must include clearly stated behavioral objectives and include two-page curriculum vita for each individual making the presentation.
2. Complete the application, and include a 250-word titled abstract containing the following subheadings: a) Purpose of the investigation, b) Significance to the coordinated school health program, c) Procedures employed in the investigation, including a description of the sample, instrumentation, year and time frame in which the data were collected, and statistical techniques employed, d) Principle Findings and e) Conclusions derived from the findings. Studies that have preliminary findings are acceptable for review, but will be judged more rigorously than a completed study.
3. Download, complete, and attach the Commercial Support Disclosure Form.
4. Abstracts will be reviewed by a committee of school health research scientists from the ASHA Research Council in a blind review process. You will receive notification on the review committee's decision by the end of September 2008.
5. Applicants should indicate their Presentation Preference Format on the application. The final decision concerning presentation format will rest with the ASHA Research Council. If the author agrees to present an accepted paper, it must be presented at the conference by an investigator integral to the research; the paper must not have been presented or published previously.
6. All presenters are required to register for the conference. Presenters who do not wish to register for the entire conference may register for the day of their presentation only.
7. Abstracts will not be accepted that a) exceed the 250 word limit or lack the subheadings identified above, b) do not specifically state the implications for the coordinated school health program, or c) do not contain the completed findings and conclusions.

1. Oral Paper (20 minutes): One-hour session featuring three separate presentations, usually structured around an encompassing theme.
2. Student Oral Paper (20 minutes): Limited to research studies in which the primary investigator(s) is a student. Selected papers must be presented by the student.
3. One-Hour Symposium (60 minutes): One-hour session organized by a researcher who submits an abstract that coordinates two to three presentations that address a significant theme related to coordinated school health program. The abstract must contain the significance of the theme with a brief summary of all presentations within the symposium. The last 10 minutes of the session should be devoted to questions and answers. Curriculum vita of all presenters and behavioral objectives must accompany symposium abstracts.
4. Roundtable Discussion (30 minutes / repeated): An informal presentation addressing coordinated school health programs through group discussion without use of audiovisual equipment.
5. Poster Session (60 minutes): A static display promoting informal discussion between presenters and colleagues through charts, graphs, diagrams, photographs and text summaries.

1. Completed application including behavioral objectives.
2. 250-word abstract.
3. 2-page curriculum vita of individual(s) making the presentation.
4. Commercial Support Disclosure Form.
5. Applications must be received no later than July 31, 2008.

• Problems submitting online?
  Send an e-mail with your name and contact information in the body and attach all required support materials to: mbramsier@ashaweb.org. Attach as separate documents to your e-mail submission: the text copy of the application; a description of the program content and methods (250 words or fewer); a brief program summary (60 words or fewer) for the conference program book; a maximum two-page resume or curriculum vitae for each presenter and a commercial disclosure form for each presenter. The e-mail must be received before or on July 31, 2008.

• Mary Bamer Ramsier, 330/678-1601, or mbramsier@ashaweb.org.