Determining school programming needs of special population groups: a study of asthmatic children

A study of the 4,382 children in the New Milford (Connecticut) Public School System was conducted to determine if upper respiratory conditions and other health problems may be related to school performance. Seven percent of the 4,036 respondents were found to be asthmatic. Correlations of school-related factors for 61 of 286 students who had high absenteeism did not appear to be dependent upon asthma for any identified health problem. As absenteeism increased, student grades decreased. Achievement testing in math and reading was related positively to IQ and appeared to be unaffected by absenteeism from school. On the basis of this study, special education programming was not recommended for the target population; however, parents and school personnel are much more aware of physical, emotional, and mental health problems and their possible implications for school performance.