Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Student Health Screening and Immunization Reporting Modifications

Memo Information

Memo Number
LS-21-015
Memo Date
9/16/2020
Memo Type
Informational
Unit
Learning Services
Regulatory Authority
Response Required
NO
Attention
Superintendents; Assistant Superintendent; Principals; Data Stewards (SIS; eSchool; eFinance; TRIAND); District Coordinators (ALE; Homeless; ESOL; SDFS & Foster); Parent Involvement Coordinators/Facilitators

Primary Contact Information

Secondary Contact/s Information

Memo Text

Update 10-8-2020

 

Additional information has been added to this memo to inform public school personnel of additional options for health screening referral codes in eSchool. These additional referral code options have been added to accommodate reasons not screened for virtual students and parent refusal. Details of the new eSchool referral codes and instructions for use of the codes are attached to this memo.  

 

The purpose of this memo is to offer information and guidance to assist school personnel with the implementation of health screening services. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has modified the reporting timeline for certain student health screenings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new reporting timeline is effective for 2020-2021 school year and will remain in effect thereafter. 

Key Considerations for Health Screenings
School districts should develop a plan for conducting mandated health screenings for all public-school students, including students accessing instruction remotely or virtually. Screening plans should address scheduling virtual/remote students during times when parents and students may already be on campus (e.g., parent-teacher conferences, support services, obtaining meals) and documenting students not reporting for a mandated screening.

Key Considerations for Immunizations
School districts should develop a plan for facilitating immunization compliance for students. Local county health units are experiencing a substantial increase in patient volume, resulting in the need to schedule appointments well in advance. Districts are encouraged to urge parents to prioritize scheduling appointments for vaccinations if using the local county health unit for this purpose.

 


IMMUNIZATIONS Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-702 
(Grades K-12 public school students) 
Requirement: Documentation must be provided verifying proof of immunizations for each student or proof that the student has received an exemption from the immunization requirements. If proof is not provided within 30 days of the student beginning school, the student must be excluded from being physically present at the school until documentation is provided. Students may access virtual or other remote options offered by the school.  
No Reporting Requirement Change: School districts must continue to report immunization status information to DESE during Cycle 3, November 15. Additionally, school districts shall maintain a report that provides information regarding student immunization status to be updated by December 1 each year. The report must be posted and available to the public online. 

Rules Governing Immunization Requirements in Arkansas Public Schools

 

VISION SCREENING Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1501 
(Grades Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, transfer students from any grade and referrals from teachers or parents/guardians)
Requirement: All children in pre-kindergarten (PK), kindergarten (K), grades one (1), two (2), four (4), six (6), and eight (8), and all transfer students, shall receive an eye and vision screening during the school year. 
Reporting Requirement Change: Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, school districts must report vision screening information to DESE during Cycle 7, June 15. Vision screenings for public school students should be completed by March 15, to allow for the 60-day parent follow-up with a comprehensive eye exam for students, when applicable.
NOTE: Previously, the reporting requirement for vision screening was Cycle 3, November 15, and Cycle 6, April 15. Moving this reporting to Cycle 7, June 15, aligns the reporting of vision screenings with hearing and other annual screenings. 

Rules Governing Eye and Vision Screening Report in Arkansas Public Schools 

NURSING ACUITY Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-709 
(Grades K-12 public school students)
Requirement: Annually by August 31, a school district shall report the number of students in the school district that are in each nursing acuity level. 
No Reporting Requirement Change: School districts must continue to report summarized school-level information for nursing acuity level to DESE during Cycle 2, October 15

HEARING SCREENING Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-701
(Grades Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, transfer students from any grade and referrals from teachers or parents/guardians)
Requirement: The board of directors of a public school district may assign the nurse of the district to conduct physical examinations of students in the district to detect contagious or infectious diseases or any defect of sight, hearing, or function, or conditions of health, that may prevent a pupil from receiving the full benefit of schoolwork. 
No Reporting Requirement Change: School districts must continue to report hearing screening information to DESE during Cycle 7, June 15

SCOLIOSIS SCREENING Ark. Code Ann. § 20-15-803
(Grades 6 & 8 female students; Grade 8 male students)
Requirement: School health personnel, volunteers, and other school employees who are not classroom teachers, who have been trained by a Certified Scoliosis Screening Instructor, shall conduct scoliosis screenings for females in grade six (6) and grade eight (8), and males in grade eight (8).
No Reporting Requirement Changes: School districts must continue to report scoliosis screening information to DESE during Cycle 7, June 15

Rules Governing Scoliosis Screening

 

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) Ark. Code Ann. § 20-7-135
(Grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10)
Requirement: In Kindergarten and all even-numbered grades, schools are required to include, as a part of a student health report to parents, a body mass index percentile by age for each student. Grade 12 is exempt from this requirement.
Reporting Requirement Change: Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, school districts must report BMI screening information to DESE during Cycle 7, June 15
NOTE: Previously, the reporting requirement for BMI screening was Cycle 6, April 15. Moving this reporting to Cycle 7, June 15, aligns the reporting with other annual screenings.

Rules Governing Nutrition and Physical Activity Standards and Body Mass Index for Age Assessment Protocols in Arkansas Public Schools

 

A student mandatory health screening summary table is attached to this memo. 

 

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