Policy for a School Asthma Program

In partnership with CDC-DASH and many collaborators, NASBE has developed research-based, best practice model policy language on various school health topics that states, districts, and schools can adopt or adapt for themselves. The points they address were suggested by the CDC's scientifically rigorous school health guidelines, state and local policies, and comments from expert reviewers.

For further explanation of this model policy, see Chapter C (Part I) of Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn.

Note: NASBE offers its model policy language free of copyright; courtesy attribution is requested. Users will need to adapt this model policy to fit their state and local education governance structure and established policy format, particularly the phrases in italics.

PURPOSE. To support the academic performance and improve the health status of students with asthma.

RATIONALE. Asthma is a common chronic childhood illness and a major cause of student absences from school. Students with poorly controlled asthma may have greater difficulty with school work and a higher incidence of grade failure. Asthma attacks (acute episodes of symptoms) can be serious and life-threatening for students who experience them, and they also can disrupt classes and cause widespread distress for everyone else. Yet schools can help students control their asthma by helping them follow individualized asthma action plans, by minimizing students' exposure to allergens and other irritants, and by responding appropriately to students' asthma episodes.

SCHOOL ASTHMA PLAN. The state education agency/Each school district/Each school shall prepare, adopt, and implement a comprehensive plan for the prevention and management of asthma that is based on current research and best practices. The plan shall be developed in partnership with families, health care providers, and community agencies; implemented within the context of a coordinated school health program; and include the following provisions:

1. Asthma awareness education for students is integrated within health education, science, and physical education curricula at appropriate levels and is taught by well-prepared and well-supported teachers.
2. All school personnel are required to participate in professional development programs that include basic information about asthma, asthma management practices, and emergency response procedures.
3. Procedures are established to identify students with significant asthma morbidity, that is, students whose health, education, or quality of life are negatively impacted by their asthma.
4. The prevention, health care, and emergency needs for each student with asthma are documented in individualized asthma action plans, which are developed in consultation with the students' parents/guardians, the students' primary health care provider(s), and school health personnel.
5. Appropriate school health services are provided to students with asthma action plans by qualified personnel.
6. Students' prescribed medications are securely stored and correctly administered by adequately prepared and supported school personnel, in accordance with state law and the written approvals of a parent or guardian and the prescribing health care provider(s).
7. Students deemed competent by a school nurse are allowed to possess and self-administer prescribed medications on school grounds, with the written approval of a parent or guardian and the student's prescribing health care provider(s) [if permitted by state law].
8. Tobacco smoke is eliminated from all school buildings, grounds, vehicles, and school-sponsored events at all times.
9. Procedures are established to systematically identify and minimize other asthma triggers (respiratory allergens and irritants) in school buildings and on school grounds.
10. Each component of the plan is evaluated in an ongoing manner so as to improve policies, procedures, and services.

• implement the school asthma plan;
• facilitate communication among school health program staff and collaborating agencies;
• periodically provide program improvement information to personnel implementing the school asthma plan;
• conduct evaluation activities; and
• submit annual progress reports and recommendations for program improvement to the state/district board of education and the school health advisory council.