To cut costs, many districts are replacing certified school nurses with uncertified nurses or undereducated health aides. Never has the role of school nurse been more important. Besides attending to sick children and handling emergencies, today's school nurses are active in health education, physical fitness programs, and disease prevention.…

Listed as the nation's leading chronic health condition among children, asthma afflicts 5.3 million youngsters. About 5 to 10 percent of school children have asthma. Asthma management must be aggressive, involving students, teachers, and parents. An individualized treatment plan for each asthmatic student is essential. (MLH)

The school-based health clinic is one solution for meeting the health needs of uninsured children. A contractual arrangement is made between the school district and a public or private health-care provider. Describes several clinics and their the clients, services, and funding sources; offers advice on getting a clinic started. (MLF)

Reviews reports on the role of the school nurse in supporting student academic success. Includes efforts to alleviate shortages of school nurses, the multifaceted role of the school nurse, and the results of Missouri's statewide plan to improve nurse-provided student health services. (PKP)

School nurses are essential and cost-effective for school districts. Local school districts and state and local health departments can work together to benefit children. Districts that have analyzed the cost-benefit ratio of school nurses have striking evidence of their cost-effectiveness. The more health services are made available to children at…

Medically fragile children need special supervision and care. Educators' concerns center on the time it takes to perform needed services, adequate preparation, and potential liability. Offers nine guidelines that address the needs of medically fragile children while minimizing the threats of liability. A related page summarizes issues raised by…