Vision and Hearing Screening Requirements
Special Senses and Communications Disorders Act, Texas Health and Safety
code requires that all children enrolled for the first time in any
public, private, parochial, or denominational school or in a Texas
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services licensed day-care
center and group day-care home in Texas or who meet certain grade
criteria must be screened or have a professional examination for
possible vision and hearing problems. All Kindergartners, 1st, 3rd, 5th,
and 7th graders must be screened. All new students into CCISD from 4
years through the 12th grade are screened as well as students who are
referred by a parent, teacher or counselor. If further
evaluation is required, a referral letter will be sent home along with
the testing results. Please take the referral with you for the
examination and ask your vision/hearing specialist to complete it.
Please return the report to your school nurse as soon as possible. The
School Nurse is required to keep those results in your child's health
record.
TDSHS - Vision and Hearing Screening Program
Spinal Screening
In compliance with Health and Safety Code, Chapter 37, all children shall undergo screening for abnormal spinal curvature in accordance with the following schedule:
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Girls will be screened two times, once at age 10 (or fall semester of grade 5) and again at age 12 (or fall semester of grade 7).
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Boys will be screened one time at age 13 or 14 (or fall semester of grade 8).
Parents will be notified if the screening test
indicates need for medical follow-up.
TDSHS - Spinal Screening Program
Acanthosis Nigricans (AN)
Students will be screened for AN either during the spinal screening or
during the hearing and vision screening. Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 will be
screened for AN. Acanthosis Nigricans is a light brown-black, velvety,
furrowed, rough or thickened manifestation on the surface areas of the
skin, which are indicative of high insulin levels. Persons who have high
insulin levels and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Parents
will be notified if the screening test indicates need for medical
follow-up.
Height/Weight
Elementary students in grades 3-5 will also have height and weight
assessment through the PE department as part of the state mandated
Fitnessgram. The primary goal of this program is to promote regular
physical activity among all youth. Of particular importance is promoting
activity patterns that lead to reduced health risk and improved
health-related physical fitness.
Parents who choose to opt out of screenings, must notify the school nurse.