All children learn best in a safe, healthy school setting. It is even more important for children with conditions like asthma and food allergies.

Asthma is a leading cause of missed time from school. And students at risk for severe allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis, must be protected when they are away from home.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its annual list of states with great laws and policies to protect children in schools with allergic diseases.

The 2015 State Honor Roll™ of Asthma and Allergy Policies for Schools lists states with leadership in how they address the needs of students with asthma, food allergies and other related diseases.

Parents can use the AAFA report as a way to see how their schools' policies compare to those in other states. Where does your state stand? Did it make the grade?

There are 14 states on the list. Four of them are new. The new ones are:

• Delaware
• Illinois
• New Mexico
• North Carolina

 Returning states include:

• Connecticut
• The District of Columbia
• Indiana (returned to the list after a one-year absence)
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia

You can see the full report here to see how your state compares.

How does it work?

The report checks to see how every state compares against 23 key measures that affect people with asthma and allergies in schools. States make the honor roll when they hit 18 of 23 targets.

The 23 targets are divided into three categories:

• Medication and treatment
• Awareness
• School environment

Policy areas include: 

• School nurse-to-student ratios laws allowing students to carry and administer their asthma and anaphylaxis medications
• School building indoor air quality policies
• Smoking bans and cessation programs

Mylan Specialty L.P. sponsored the 2015 report. Genentech and individual donors donated additional support.