The principal or designee at each school shall notify parents/guardians of the rights of students and parents/guardians related to health examinations. (Education Code 48980)
(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)
A parent/guardian may annually file a written statement with the principal withholding consent to the physical examination of his/her child. The child shall be exempt from any physical examination but shall be subject to exclusion from attendance when contagious or infectious disease is reasonably suspected. (Education Code 49451)
(cf. 5112.2 - Exclusions from Attendance)
(cf. 5141.22 - Infectious Diseases)
Vision and Hearing Tests
Students shall have their vision and hearing tested by qualified supervisors of health employed by the district. (Education Code 49452, 49454)
All students shall be tested for visual acuity when they first enroll in elementary school and every three years thereafter until the student completes grade 8. External observations of the student's eyes, visual performance and perception shall be made by the school nurse and the classroom teacher. (Education Code 49455)
For male students, color vision shall be tested one time, after the student reaches grade 1. Results of the test shall be entered into the student's health record. (Education Code 49455)
Evaluation of a student's vision may be waived at the parent/guardian's request if the parent/guardian presents a certificate from either a medical doctor or an optometrist specifying the results of an examination of the student's vision including visual acuity, and, in male students, color vision. (Education Code 49455)
Visual defects or any other defects found as a result of the vision examination shall be reported to the parent/guardian with a request that remedial action be taken to correct or cure the defect.
All students shall be tested for hearing upon first enrollment in elementary school and at grades K or 1,2,5,8,10 or 11. 17 CCR 2950 through 2951. The district may employ school audiometrists, each of whom shall be registered by the State Department of Health Services, to perform the screenings and thresholds. All students continuing to fail a threshold hearing test shall be assessed by a licensed or credentialed audiologist.
Scoliosis Screening
Each female student in grade 7 and each male student in grade 8 shall be screened for scoliosis. This screening shall comply with California Department of Education standards and shall be performed by qualified personnel as specified in law. (Education Code 49452.5)
Persons performing the screening shall not solicit, encourage or advise treatment of the student for scoliosis or any other condition discovered in the course of the screening. (Education Code 49452.5)
The parent/guardian of any student suspected of having scoliosis shall receive a notice which includes an explanation of scoliosis and describes the significance of treatment at an early age. This notice shall also describe the public services available for treatment and include a referral to appropriate community resources. (Education Code 49452.5)
Regulation ALHAMBRA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: September 9, 1997 Alhambra, California