Social norms are the perceived informal, mostly unwritten, rules that define acceptable and appropriate actions within a given group or community, thus guiding human behaviour. They consist of what we do, what we believe others do, and what we believe others approve of and expect us to do. Social norms are therefore situated at the interplay between behaviour, beliefs and expectations (UNICEF).
Campbell County School District achieves to understand the social norms of the students by collaborating with Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Department of Education to establish a safe environment in schools.
Sponsored by the Wyoming Department of Health, and endorsed by the Wyoming Department of Education, CCSD distributes the PNA that samples 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, every two years. The survey is conducted voluntarily, and parents provide consent for their students to participate. The PNA measures a variety of attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions that have been shown to be related to alcohol, tobacco, and drug use along with violent and problem behaviors. The PNA also measures the percent of students that have used or are currently using alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs as well as students that have participated in violent and other problem behaviors.
Information from the PNA can be used to choose and evaluate prevention interventions, strategies, and policies for schools, school districts, communities and the State of Wyoming. Campbell County School District's goal is to improve the wellness of students.