Health Screenings
Highland Park ISD Health Staff will perform age-appropriate health screenings (hearing, vision and spinal screenings) as designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services. All first-time students to Highland Park Independent School District are required to be screened.
The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is a state-mandated program that helps assess children who may be at high risk to develop Type 2 Diabetes. This assessment is conducted by certified individuals in public and private schools during vision/hearing and scoliosis screenings. Students are assessed for high insulin levels by evaluating the presence of a skin marker known as Acanthosis Nigricans. Children who are identified with the marker are also assessed for body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is an important program because it can help identify children who have these risk factors, all of which can increase the possibility for children to develop type 2 diabetes. Click below for more information on this program.
The results of these screenings may indicate that your child requires diagnostic evaluation beyond school capabilities. The school nurse will send a referral letter to the parents of students that require further evaluation by a licensed health care provider.
If you do not wish to have your child screened, please let your school nurse know and complete the opt-out form linked below. You may substitute a professional examination by a licensed health care provider of your choice. Please contact your school nurse for further instructions.