Delaware requires all students to have periodic health screenings provided by the school and two health examinations.
Health Screenings
Vision and hearing screening is provided by the school nurse for students in kindergarten and in grades 2, 4, 7 and 9 (or 10). Screenings are completed by January 15 of each year. Screening is additionally provided to students who are new enterers, referred by a teacher or administrator, or are considered for special education services.
Postural and Gait screening is provided by the school nurse for students in grades 5 through 9. On-site follow-up by a Physical Therapist is offered to schools to determine if further referral is needed from the Postural and Gait screening.
Health Examinations
All students entering a public school for the first time and students entering Grade 9 must provide documentation of a health examination within thirty days after entry. The examination must be current (completed within two years of entry) and conducted by a currently licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. Acceptable forms are:
Delaware School Health Examination Forms – Children Grades PreK – 6
Delaware School Health Examination Forms – Adolescent Grades 7 – 12
An alternate form may be accepted if it includes, at a minimum: health history, immunizations, results on medical testing and screenings, medical diagnoses, prescribed medications and treatments, and healthcare plans.
Lead Testing
Regulation 815: Health Examinations and Screening states that children who enter school at kindergarten or at age 5 or prior, shall be required to prove lead screening per 16 Del.C. Ch.26 (Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act). For children enrolled in kindergarten, documentation of lead screening shall be provided within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of enrollment. Failure to provide the required documentation shall result in the child’s exclusion from school until the documentation is provided. Exemption from this requirement may be granted for religious exemptions, per 16 Del.C. 2603.
Delaware has a Lead Poisoning Prevention Program that follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
Tuberculosis Screening
Delaware requires tuberculosis (TB) screening for all students entering a public school. School staff and volunteers are assessed routinely for exposure to TB or active disease. Anyone with a positive screening is required to have a follow-up medical assessment.
Tuberculosis Screening Requirements:
- Students: TB risk assessment, skin test (Mantoux), or other approved testing, such as blood test, administered within the past 12 months prior to school entry
- Employees: TB skin test (Mantoux) or other approved testing, such as blood test, administered within the past 12 months and provided during the first 15 days of employment and TB risk assessment every 5 years thereafter
- Volunteers: TB risk assessment prior to their assignment and every 5 years thereafter
Tuberculosis Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tuberculosis Information
Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Tuberculosis Information
