West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 126 - Education
Title 126 - PROCEDURAL RULE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Series 126-051 - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (2423)
Section 126-51-5 - Health Promotion through School Screenings/Examinations

5.1. All schools support and assist students in being healthy learners through promoting annual well child examinations, biannual dental examinations by a licensed dentist, up-to-date immunizations, emergency information, preventive health care and enrollment for children and families into health care insurance. A public/private partnership is easily accomplished through school nursing services, local WVDHHR/Bureau services, school-based services (including medical, mental and oral health), non-profit services, private sector services, businesses, etc. The school nurse is the school health expert who is qualified to lead the coordination and monitoring of health promotion through school screenings and examinations.

5.2. Health Check: New enterers in West Virginia public school at first entry of either prekindergarten (Pre-K) or Kindergarten and all students progressing to grades 2, 7 and 12 should have on file within 45 days of enrollment/entry or prior to the first day of school attendance a record of a Health Check screening, or other comprehensive health screening comparable to the Health Check protocol. The following transition plan will require each new enterer in Pre-K and Kindergarten and all students entering grades 2, 7 and 12 to show proof of a Health Check screening: beginning the school year (SY) 2015/16 all new enterers in Pre-K and Kindergarten; beginning SY 2016/17 all students entering grade 2; beginning SY 2017/18 all students entering grade 7; and beginning SY 2018/19 all students entering grade 12. All screening forms shall be signed and dated by the child's licensed health care provider and completed within the prior 12 calendar months. If the student does not have proof of a Health Check the classroom teacher shall be informed to ensure any potential learning deficits (vision, hearing, speech and language, developmental, etc.) will be referred to the appropriate school personnel for screening as individually indicated. Counties can retain the right to conduct follow-up screening (W. Va. Code § 18-5-17, W. Va. 126 CSR 28, WVBE Policy 2525, West Virginia's Universal Access to Early Education System, Governor's Kids First Initiative and Superintendent's Interpretation of June 29, 2007).

5.3. Oral Health: New enterers in West Virginia public school at first entry of either Pre-K or Kindergarten and all students progressing to grades 2, 7 and 12 should have on file within 45 days of enrollment/entry or prior to the first day of school attendance a record of an oral health examination. The following transition plan will request each new enterer in Pre-K and Kindergarten and all students entering grades 2, 7 and 12 to show proof of an oral health examination: beginning the school year (SY) 2015/16 all new enterers in Pre-K and Kindergarten; beginning SY 2016/17 all students entering grade 2; beginning SY 2017/18 all students entering grade 7; and beginning SY 2018/19 all students entering grade 12. All examination forms shall be signed and dated by the student's dentist and completed within the prior 12 calendar months. If the student does not have proof of an oral health examination during the grade of requirement, the student may be enrolled into the WVDHHR-Oral Health Program's (OHP) Oral Disease Prevention Project. The Oral Health Prevention Project will provide an oral health assessment from a dental provider regardless of the ability to pay if the parent/guardian provides approval/consent for the student to participate.

5.4. Tuberculin Skin Test: West Virginia continues to be a state with low incidence rates of tuberculosis hence the removal of tuberculosis skin testing for out-of-state student transfers and new school employees, including volunteers in W. Va. Code § 16-3D-3 (2015). In order to ensure tuberculosis rates remain low, W. Va. Code § 16-3D-3 requires students found or suspected to have active tuberculosis shall be temporarily removed from school while their case is reviewed and evaluated by their personal physician and the local health officer. Students shall return to school when their personal physician and the local health officer, in consultation with the Commissioner, indicate that it is safe and appropriate for them to return. Also, school personnel found or suspected to have active tuberculosis shall have their employment suspended until the local health officer, in consultation with the Commissioner, approves a return to work. The Commissioner may require selective testing of students and school personnel for tuberculosis when there is reason to believe that they may have been exposed to the tuberculosis organism or they have signs and symptoms indicative of the disease. School nurses shall identify and refer any students or school personnel to the local health department in instances where they have reason to suspect that the individual has been exposed to tuberculosis or has symptoms indicative of the disease.