Screening questions

Specialties School

Published

Do you share the results of the vision and hearing screenings with the teachers or is that information protected by FERPA? Thanks!

WineRN

1,109 Posts

Specializes in NCSN.

I had a teacher ask because she was concerned about two of her kiddos, and instead of telling her the results I offered to rescreen and talk to the parents.

AdobeRN

1,294 Posts

Dumb question - but why wouldn't you share that info with the teacher? I feel they are the ones teaching and they need to know so they can make the appropriate accommadations for the student. I also keep the teachers posted as far as any referrals I send out & results I get - sometimes I need them to give parents an extra push to follow thru with getting their kid examined.

SassyTachyRN

408 Posts

Specializes in Peds, Oncology.
Dumb question - but why wouldn't you share that info with the teacher? I feel they are the ones teaching and they need to know so they can make the appropriate accommadations for the student. I also keep the teachers posted as far as any referrals I send out & results I get - sometimes I need them to give parents an extra push to follow thru with getting their kid examined.

I do the same. I often feel like they have better relationships with the parents, so I usually give them the referral forms to give to parents at parent teacher conferences.

Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

Yes I share with the teacher, they often notice an issue before I screen them anyway. Also, I give the parent letters to the teachers to make sure they go in backpacks home.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN

2,776 Posts

Specializes in school nurse.

Just like sharing with a teacher that a student has a peanut allergy is okay, letting them know that there may be visual issues, etc. is appropriate.

kidzcare

3,393 Posts

I will tell them if they ask. Also, they can tell me if a student comes in one day with a new pair of glasses and did not bring me a copy of the dr exam. Then I can follow up with parents.

Jacquipals

77 Posts

I wasn't sure if this was covered by FERPA because it's private health related information. And it's my first time doing screenings.

SaltineQueen

913 Posts

Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

You can share if there's a "legitimate educational interest." I'd say the teacher has a legitimate educational interest in knowing if there's a potential problem. Kids that test fine, I don't say anything.

Amethya

1,821 Posts

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I share if the student is with them and it's their teacher. I do put in the database for them to see it too, and I have my hard copies too.

Jacquipals

77 Posts

I finally heard back from my contact at the Dept of Public Health, School RN division and it is a FERPA violation to share info with the teachers. I emailed the faculty to let them know I cannot share the information and to talk to me if they have a concern about a specific student. It's crazy and makes no sense, but it is what it is. Thanks for the advice!

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

That is so odd...the whole purpose of doing vision/hearing screens is to identify sensory barriers to effective education. Why in the world would the educator NOT need to know if a student has those barriers?

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