FAQ

Epilepsy is the 4th most common leading brain disorder. In Texas, it is estimated that *49,050 children have active epilepsy  **(CDC, Epilepsy Data and Statistics). Children spend a significant amount of time in school, and for those children that have epilepsy, it’s important that the proper measures are taken to keep those children, and other children, safe. Therefore, personnel that interact with children with epilepsy on a daily basis need to be trained in epilepsy recognition and seizure first aid to be able to make the appropriate and necessary steps to help those students.

School personnel need proper training to acquire the necessary skills and confidence to intervene when a student is experiencing a seizure. Mandated training is one way to ensure this.

The training required by Sam's Law is simple. School personnel and school nurses will undergo training that covers seizure recognition and first aid.

School nurses would be required to undergo a specialized training.

In Texas, there are approximately 841 students per school nurse. In 2005, research indicated the only 60% of school nurses felt confident in their ability to manage students with seizures. To address this concern, the Epilepsy Foundation partnered with the National Association of School Nurses to develop a comprehensive training program. After participation in the Managing Students with Seizures program nurses showed improvement in their confidence to handle epilepsy at school (Austin, Kakacek & Carr, 2010). By participating in Managing Students with Seizures program, school nurses will enhance their knowledge of epilepsy and will optimize the delivery of care for students with seizures.

TEA determines when training should be completed. You should confer with your school's administration on the matter.