Policy Statement: Rationale, Structure, Process, Outcome Criteria

The school district will establish and implement procedures which meet all the legal requirements for multidisciplinary assessments of each special education student by qualified individuals.

RATIONALE

A health assessment is necessary to identify health needs and to obtain information about a student's strengths and coping mechanisms. This facilitates the planning of appropriate goals and objectives which will enable the student to benefit from the educational process.

STRUCTURE CRITERIA

1. The school district is an authorized health provider in the school setting.

2. The School Nurse is recognized as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

3. The administrator or designee will notify the School Nurse -- in a timely manner -- of those students referred to the assessment team.

4. The student's school health record is available in the school setting.

5. Opportunities are provided for

-- record review

-- teacher conference

-- student observation

-- parent interview, and

-- student health evaluation.

PROCESS CRITERIA

The School Nurse will:

1. Collect health status data including:

-- growth and developmental history

-- health history

-- screening results

-- physical assessment

-- emotional status

-- performance level of daily living activities

-- interactional patterns (i.e., socialization) -- nutritional status

-- immunization status

-- student's perception of his/her own health status

-- student's health goals

-- cultural attributes

2. Collect data from:

-- student

-- family

-- significant others

-- school personnel

-- health care professionals

3. Obtain data by:

-- interview

-- screening procedures

-- observation

-- physical assessment

-- review of records and reports

4. Record data on the student's health record.

5. Interpret data by comparing it to norms and standards.

6. Formulate conclusions and recommendations based on a comprehensive assessment.

7. Identify the relationship between health status and the student's ability to learn.

8. Prepare a written report of the results of the assessment.

9. Interpret the relationship between health status and the student's ability to learn for the multidisciplinary team.

10. Participate in the development of the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and sign the document.

OUTCOME CRITERIA

1. All referred students will receive a health assessment.

2. Health problems that interfere with learning will be identified.

3. The student's IEP will address the Individualized Health Plan (IHP) when goals, objectives, and services are required to meet identified student health needs.