The Board of Education recognizes that the number of Americans with asthma has increased from 6.7 million in 1980 to 20.3 million in 2001. Children with asthma need to reduce the triggers that cause asthma and better manage their symptoms to reduce school absences. Students with asthma may possess and self-administer an asthma inhaler or other emergency medication to relieve an airway-constricting disease while in school, at a school-sponsored activity, or on a school bus.
In order to self-administer the treatment, a student must annually provide a written order from a health care provider and written approval from the student’s parent or guardian. A student’s parent or guardian must obtain written confirmation from the student’s health care provider that the student has the knowledge and skills necessary to safely administer the treatment, and a school nurse must assess the student’s ability to demonstrate the skill level necessary to ensure effective self-administration. The health care provider’s order must be maintained in the student’s educational record at the school.
The Board of Education directs the Superintendent to adopt administrative procedures for the implementation of this regulation.
Legal Reference: Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article, Section 7-421.
Policy Adopted
10/27/05
Policy Amended
4/29/10
Updated April 29, 2010
