Creating District Readiness for Implementing Evidence-Based School-Centered Asthma Programs

Abstract

Asthma is a common chronic childhood disease that is associated with high rates of school absenteeism and educational disparities. Effective school-based programs exist that are able to reduce school absenteeism and the burden that asthma exacts on students. However, despite the availability of effective school-centered asthma programs conducted as research projects, many schools have struggled to implement the programs and experience their benefits. As the literature from the implementation sciences highlights, readiness of the school environment is crucial and central to success. This is an often overlooked and underacknowledged aspect to successful implementation. This article provides a case study of a large school district, highlighting its experience in preparing the district for broad-scale implementation of a school-centered asthma program.