Managing Asthma in Elementary and Middle Schools: Adherence to Federal Laws and National Guidelines

Authors

Ethan J. Schilling, Ph.D., Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, Ph.D., Yvette Q. Getch, Ph.D., A Michele Lease, Ph.D.
  • Ethan J. Schilling, Ph.D. (Author) Western Carolina University image/svg+xml
    Dr. Ethan Schilling is an assistant professor of school psychology at Western Carolina Universit
  • Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, Ph.D. (Author) University of Georgia image/svg+xml
    Dr. Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett is a professor of educational psychology at The University of Georgia
  • Yvette Q. Getch, Ph.D. (Author) Western Kentucky University image/svg+xml
    Dr. Yvette Getch is an associate professor of diversity and community studies as well as the student development coordinator of the Learn and Earn Program at Western Kentucky University
  • A Michele Lease, Ph.D. (Author) University of Georgia
    Dr. A. Michele Lease is a professor of school psychology at The University of Georgia
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.331
The current study examined teacher-reported asthma management practices in school and adherence to federal guidelines for students with asthma. 593 kindergarten-eighth grade teachers completed surveys regarding compliance with federal laws and policies, information-seeking behavior, asthma-related professional development, and asthma management practices. The extent to which asthma services varied as a function of adherence to federal policy statements or teacher characteristics was also examined. Results indicated a small percentage of teachers reported students with asthma had Individualized Education Plans or 504 plans. Teachers reported medication policies were in place for students with asthma, consistent with national guidelines, but a limited number of students with asthma were reportedly allowed to self-administer medications. Teachers generally reported low compliance to federal policies. Finally, provision of asthma-related professional development, teachers’ own history of chronic illness, and information-seeking behaviors were significant predictors of whether students with asthma were served by an IEP or 504 plan.

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Schilling, E. J., Neuharth-Pritchett, S., Getch, Y. Q., & Lease, A. M. (2017). Managing Asthma in Elementary and Middle Schools: Adherence to Federal Laws and National Guidelines. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 12(1), 146-162. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.331

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  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted January 12, 2017
  • Published February 15, 2017
  • Issue Winter 2017
  • Section Articles
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