Health Screenings

Required Screenings

The goal of health screening within a school setting is to detect possible health problems early. Early identification and correction of deficits will enable students to maximize their educational opportunities during the school year. The district health staff will perform the following state-required health screenings. If you do not wish the district health staff to perform the screenings, you may substitute a professional examination by a health care provider of your choice. Please contact your campus nurse for further instructions.

The screening program and referral process are not diagnostic. The results of these screenings may indicate that your child needs diagnostic evaluation by a health care provider. Referrals to physicians are made as needed. Parents are urged to obtain appropriate medical care following a school screening referral. If you do not have insurance or cannot afford care, your campus nurse may be able to assist you with referrals for free or affordable care.

Vision and Hearing Screening
These screenings are required for students in Pre-k, Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades, as well as all students new to Texas schools.

Scoliosis (spinal) Screening
In order to identify unnatural curvatures of the spine, this screening is required for girls two times, once at age 10 (of fall semester of grade 5) and again at age 12 (or fall semester of grade 7). It is required for boys one time at age 13 or 14 (or in the fall semester grade 8).

Acanthosis Nigricans Screening
The 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation requiring school districts to screen students in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades for Acanthosis Nigricans (AN). AN is a skin marker that may indicate pre-diabetes. AN is a light brown or black, velvety, rough, or thickened area or "marker" on the surface of the skin (usually on the neck)., The presence of AN may signal high insulin levels, which puts a person at risk for stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.