Screenings

Massachusetts School Health law (M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 57 and 105 CMR 200.000) requires schools to provide regular health screenings for students. Also required is a follow up with the results of these screenings with families and referrals to primary health care providers as necessary.

Children who cannot see, hear, or are growing improperly may be having difficulty learning. We recommend having your child seen by a physician if they fail a screening.

• Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT): This substance abuse screening takes place in 7th and 9th grades.
• Vision Screening: Vision screening is conducted yearly in grades Pre-K through 5, and in grades 7 and 10. Parents will be notified of any problems that necessitate a medical follow-up.
• Hearing Screening: Hearing screening is conducted yearly in grades K through 3, and in grades 7 and 10. Parents will be notified of any problems that necessitate a medical follow-up. Vision and hearing screening is also offered to preschool students.
• Postural Screening: The state of Massachusetts mandates that all students in grades 5 through 9 be screened for scoliosis. Your child's posture will be screened beginning in the fifth grade. Physician referrals will be made as needed.
• Growth Screening: Heights and weights are measured and body mass index (BMI) is calculated on children in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. Parents/guardians may waive this screening by submitting a written request to the school nurse.

You may request a screening at any time if you are concerned your child has a problem with vision, hearing, posture, or growth.

For more information on school health screenings, visit:

www.mass.gov/lists/school-health-screening

To opt-out of mandated screenings, the state requires that the parent/guardian notify the designated school nurse in writing, which includes:

1. date,
2. parent/guardian name,
3. student name,
4. specific screening(s) the student is to be exempt from.

Written exemptions need to be submitted in writing to the school nurse towards the beginning of EACH school year prior to the start of screenings.

For further questions or concerns, please contact your designated school nurse.

SBIRT is a public health approach that can deliver an early intervention to anyone who uses alcohol and/or drugs in unhealthy ways.

Screening - Short, well-tested questionnaire identifies risk (such as the ASSIST, the CRAFFT, the AUDIT, the DAST, etc.)

Brief Intervention - Short, structured conversations that feature feedback and options for change

Referral - For in-depth assessment and/or diagnosis and/or treatment, if needed

Treatment - Between 1% and 10% may need some level of treatment - depending on the health care setting.

SBIRT can help health care and other professionals determine whether a patient/client uses alcohol and/or drugs in unhealthy ways. Research shows that they can engage individuals in brief, non-judgmental conversations about their substance use and help them decide whether/how to reduce their use to improve their long-term health.

"Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)" (Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, "Health & Social Services," DPH, 1 January 2025, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/screening-brief-intervention-and-referral-to-treatment-sbirt)

SBIRT in Schools: FAQs

It is well-documented that timely identification and treatment of many vision disorders in young children can prevent permanent vision loss. Scientific studies have also documented that undetected or untreated vision disorders in children can negatively affect acquisition of early literacy skills. MDPH recognizes vision screening does not detect all vision disorders, and that a vision screening is one step in the system of vision care for children. Children who do not pass a vision screening require a comprehensive eye examination from an eye doctor for evaluation, diagnosis, and if needed, treatment and follow-up.

Read this letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the updated Massachusetts vision screening protocol:

DPH: Updated MA Vision Screening Protocols

Hearing Screening Referral and Follow-up

"Regulations developed under the Comprehensive Special Education Law, c.766 p.306, 1(D), specify that, beginning with the third birthday, children with special needs or children suspected to have a hearing problem by their parent/guardian must be given a test for auditory functioning appropriate to the child’s age and developmental stage. 22 Appropriate medical and audiological follow-up and referrals are central to an effective system. In general, all children who fail the initial screening must be retested within 1-2 weeks before being considered a candidate for a notice to the parent/guardian. A repeat failure of the screening justifies parental notification in writing. Children should be referred for further assessment when they are unable to identify 20dB at 1000, 2000, or 4000 Hz upon rescreening. The typical failure rate in a screened population is approximately 2½–3%. If the findings of the hearing screening vary significantly from this (either consistently higher or lower), a review should include, at a minimum, the skill of the tester, the appropriateness of the testing site (i.e., presence of ambient noise), the condition of the audiometer, and an evaluation of the testing procedures. Screening tests are not diagnostic; they merely identify students who may need further attention by a primary care provider or audiologist."

SHIELD, BUCMECNE, MDPH. 2020. School Health Screening Handbook, p 21, https://d2rw76b9nsxu2w.cloudfront.net/nodes/1136/Screening_Handbook-FINAL11-9-20.pdf

In 2011, all Massachusetts public schools began measuring the height and weight of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10 and using those figures to calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a screening tool used to help school nurses assess if a child has a healthy weight compared to other children of the same age and sex. These results are communicated to the parents or guardians of each student screened.

Children with a high BMI are more likely to become overweight or obese adults and be at higher risk for diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Helping children maintain a healthy weight may prevent serious illness later in life.

"School BMI Screenings" (Mass.gov, "Health & Social Services," Mass in Motion; DPH, 2 January 2025, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-bmi-screenings#:~:text=In%202011%2C%20all%20Massachusetts%20public,in%20Massachusetts%20Public%20School%20Districts:

The purpose of postural screening is to identify early signs of spinal problems.

Purpose:

How it's completed:

What to wear: 

What happens with findings:

MDPH Postural Screening