New Immunization Requirements for 7th Grade:

California Mandated School Screenings

Parents who do not wish for the credentialed school nurse to screen their child for vision, hearing, or scoliosis must provide in writing a note of exclusion to the site school nurse. Parents who opt out of screenings may provide the site school nurse with a medical summary from their primary care physician. (California Education Code 49451)

The grades screened annually for vision are Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 8th. The screening is conducted by the credentialed school nurse for distant visual acuity (DVA) and near visual acuity (NVA) for all grades. Additionally, color vision screening for 1st grade boys only. 

VISION CRITERIA: California Education Code 49452 and the California Department of Education, A Guide for Vision Testing in California Public Schools.

The grades screened annually for hearing are Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 10th. 

HEARING CRITERIA: California Education Code 49452 and the state of California Health Services Children’s Medical Services Branch Hearing Conservation Program.

The grades screened annually for scoliosis are 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys. The screening is conducted by the credentialed school nurse during physical education classes and is a visual inspection only. One week prior the students are provided education on scoliosis and the procedures for the screening. Parents and students may opt out of the screening by providing a written statement from the parent or a physician’s summary which shows the screening has already been performed.

SCOLIOSIS CRITERIA: California Education Code 49452.5 and California Department of Education, Standards for Scoliosis Screening in California Public Schools