Asthma, when under-treated or untreated, can hinder a child's ability to attend, take part, and learn in school. Most children and youth spend an average of six to nine hours a day in school or child care centers and programs. School and child care staff must be alert to asthma symptoms and have policies in place to help children manage asthma.
Rules and Regulations
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW 28A.210.370) requires that:
- All school districts provide in-service training on asthma for school personnel.
- All school districts adopt policies for asthma rescue.
- Schools allow students to carry and self-administer prescribed medication to treat asthma and severe allergic reactions.
Activities, Resources, and Staff Training
- Taking Asthma Care to School, OSPI (PDF) - AMES guidelines for the care of students who have asthma.
- Anti-Idling Programs, AirwatchNW - Ideas and tools for conducting an anti-idling program at schools.
- Healthy Air Quality in Schools
- Indoor Air Quality-Tools for Schools, EPA - An action kit from the Environmental Protection Agency for helping schools improve air quality.
- In the Schoolyard and Beyond, NSBA (PDF) - Six main actions that show how families, communities, and schools can create an organized approach to managing childhood asthma.
Spanish: En el patio de la escuela y más allá, NSBA (PDF) - Strategies for Addressing Asthma Within a Coordinated School Health Program, CDC (PDF)
- Washington State Uniform Staff Training Policy-Students With Asthma, OSPI (PDF) - RCW 28A.210.370 requires that all school districts provide in-service training on asthma for school personnel.