Dear EducatorIf you are a regular education teacher in grades 1-12 in a public school and have taught for at least one year, you are invited to participate in a survey that explores your experiences in working with children who have a chronic condition. Children with chronic conditions make up more than 26% of the student body. A chronic condition is defined as one that lasts one year or more and requires ongoing medical attention and/or limits activities of daily living (including learning). Examples include asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, ADHD, learning disabilities, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and food allergies.Dr. Janice Selekman, a professor from the University of Delaware, is conducting a survey to identify the experiences, barriers, and challenges (need for knowledge, skills, and ideas for accommodations) of, as well as resources that are most helpful to, regular education teachers when they have students with a chronic condition. This survey has the support of the American Federation of Teachers and is partially funded by the National Association of School Nurses.

Analysis of the surveys will be used to assist pre-service educators to understand the needs of practicing teachers and to expand programs to enhance the health-related knowledge of new teachers. It will assist current school administrators to address faculty needs for working with students with chronic conditions and it will assist school nurses to understand their role in enhancing the health of these children and adolescents by preventing health-related problems and enhancing academic outcomes. The findings will be presented to teachers and school administrators, as well as school nurses to assist them in understanding the needs of teachers in regular education classrooms.

Please fill out the attached survey and submit it via Survey Monkey. If you would rather fill out the survey by hand, contact Dr. Selekman at the e-mail below and one will be sent to you. You can send it to Dr. Janice Selekman, 317 McDowell Hall, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716.

This questionnaire is voluntary and your return of the survey indicates your willingness to participate. We will not collect your name or school’s name; the goal is to have representation from throughout the country, including urban, suburban, and rural areas as well as representation from those in elementary, middle, and high school.

It is estimated that the survey will take about 15 minutes of your time. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Janice Selekman at selekman@udel.edu (302-897-8884)

Janice Selekman DNSc, RN, NCSN, FNASN
Professor, University of Delaware