An Examination of Educational Policies for Students with Type 1 Diabetes in Catholic School Boards

Oct 15, 2026

Study examines educational policies for students with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in Ontario Catholic school boards and evaluates alignment with Diabetes Canada guidelines. With T1D affecting about 1 in 300 children and requiring careful management to avoid hypoglycemia, the research analyzes 15 boards, finding only four with a dedicated T1D policy. Further policy analysis shows key gaps in staff education and support during hypoglycemic episodes, leading to a recommendation for a standardized Ministry policy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background: Prevalence and Risks of Type 1 Diabetes

Effects on academic performance and wellbeing

Study Purpose and Method

Policy review across Ontario Catholic school boards

Findings: Policy coverage and gaps

Staff education

Support during hypoglycemic episodes

Recommendation

Standardized Ministry policy

An Examination of Educational Policies for Students with Type 1 Diabetes in Catholic School Boards Julie Corketta & Sarah Hastingsb a Nipissing University, bSt. Anthony of Padua Catholic Elementary School Abstract As one in 300 children have diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting school-age children (Kelo, Martikainen, & Eriksson, 2011; Kucera & Sullivan, 2011; Lawrence, Cummings, Pacaud, Lynk, & Metzger, 2015). If not appropriately managed, T1D can drastically affect a student’s ability to experience academic success. Diabetes Canada, formerly known as the Canadian Diabetes Association, has a set of guidelines that they recommend each school board incorporate into their policies for the management of T1D. The authors analyzed 15 Ontario Catholic school boards’ policies pertaining to T1D to determine if these policies address Diabetes Canada’s guidelines. Out of the 15 school boards analyzed, only four had a T1D policy. A policy analysis was then conducted on the four policies to determine whether they met the guidelines set out by Diabetes Canada. The four policies were found to be lacking in the areas of staff education regarding T1D and assisting students during hypoglycemic episodes. It is recommended that a standardized Ministry policy be developed that addresses the guidelines outlined by Diabetes Canada. Keywords: Type 1 Diabetes, Catholic School Board, Policy Analysis, Guidelines With the incidence of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) increasing rapidly world-wide, 1 in 300 children have diabetes, making it one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting school age children (Amillategui, Mora, Calle, & Giralt, 2009; Kelo, Martikainen, & Eriksson, 2011; Kucera & Sullivan, 2011; Lawrence, Cummings, Pacaud, Lynk, & Metzger, 2015). T1D is “an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas does not produce the necessary insulin to break down glucose in the bloodstream to convert into energy”(Kucera & Sullivan, 2011, p. 587). T1D normally develops in the pediatric age range and is managed through diet, activity, blood glucose monitoring, and the administration of insulin (Lawrence et al., 2015; Kucera & Sullivan, 2011). Even when individuals properly treat their T1D, they may still experience episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) causing an individual to feel shaky, lightheaded, sweaty, drowsy, confused, irritable, and in severe cases, lose consciousness, or have a seizure (Lawrence et al., 2015). Most individuals with T1D can live a relatively normal and healthy life, but if left untreated or improperly managed, T1D can lead to complications such as learning deficits, eye damage or blindness, nerve damage, amputation, kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack (Lawrence et al., 2015). Within Canada, and even within schools that share the same jurisdiction, there is a lack of consistent support for students with T1D and discrepancies in T1D resources and policies (Lawrence et al., 2015). To determine whether Ontario schools are prepared to address the needs of students who have T1D the current study examined fifteen Ontario Catholic School Boards’policies pertaining to T1D and compared the policies with the Guidelines for the Care of Students Living with Diabetes at School as outlined by Diabetes Canada. Hypoglycemia is one of the most common and acute complications of insulin therapy, causing“headaches, shakiness, nervousness, sweating, irritability, confusion, sleepiness and fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and dangerous neuroglycopenia. In the most extreme cases, seizures, loss of consciousness, and death may occur”(Driscoll, Raymond, Naranjo, & Patton, 2016, p. 1). The onset of hypoglycemia can occur suddenly and have an immediate effect on a student’s concentration, thought processing, and behaviour (Lawrence et al., 2015). A lack of awareness of hypoglycemia warning signs may lead to a delay in treatment. Furthermore, it is important

FAQs

Why are educational policies important for students with Type 1 Diabetes?

T1D can strongly affect students’ academic success if not managed appropriately. Effective policies help ensure safe monitoring and timely support during glucose emergencies, especially hypoglycemia.

How many Ontario Catholic school boards had a Type 1 Diabetes policy?

The study analyzed 15 Ontario Catholic school boards and found that only four had a specific T1D policy.

Which areas did the four existing policies lack?

The policy analysis found deficiencies in staff education about T1D and in assisting students during hypoglycemic episodes.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Danger Angel