Health Screenings

Parents and guardians have the right to withhold consent for or decline a health-related service, including a school health screening.

Parents and guardians provide authorization for health screenings through Skyward Family Access. Screenings are conducted only when applicable parental consent is on file. A separate permission form is not necessary when the authorization provided through Skyward covers the screening. 

Parents who wish to decline a screening or change previously provided consent should contact their child’s campus nurse before the screening date.

For vision, hearing and spinal screenings, parents who decline are not required to submit a religious exemption affidavit or proof of screening by an outside provider. Families may share outside screening results with the campus nurse if they choose.

Learn more about parental consent for vision, hearing and spinal screenings.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Vision and hearing screenings help identify concerns that may affect a student’s ability to see classroom materials, hear instruction and participate in learning.

The screening schedule includes:

• Children who are 4 years old by September 1
• Kindergarten students
• First-time entrants to Texas schools, age 4 through grade 12
• Students in grades 1, 3, 5 and 7

Vision screening checks how well a student sees with each eye. Hearing screening checks how well a student hears sounds at different pitches in each ear.

Parents will be notified if screening results indicate a need for further evaluation.

Learn more from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Spinal Screenings

Spinal screenings help identify signs of abnormal spinal curvature, including scoliosis. Early identification allows families to seek further evaluation and discuss any needed monitoring or treatment with a health care provider.

The screening schedule is:

• Girls: Age 10 and again at age 12, generally during the fall semesters of grades 5 and 7
• Boys: Age 13 or 14, generally during the fall semester of grade 8

Screening timing may be adjusted for students whose ages differ from the typical age for their grade.

Families will receive information before the screening, including the screening date and recommended clothing. Parents will be notified if further evaluation is recommended.

Learn more about Texas spinal screening requirements.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment

Godley ISD conducts the Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children for students in grades 1, 3, 5 and 7.

The assessment checks for acanthosis nigricans (AN), an area of darker, thickened or velvety skin that may be associated with high insulin levels and insulin resistance. Students identified with this skin marker also receive body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure assessments.

This screening identifies possible risk factors; it does not diagnose diabetes. Parents will be notified of identified concerns and encouraged to seek further evaluation from a health care provider.

Learn more about the Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children.

Physical Fitness Assessment

Godley ISD also conducts physical fitness assessments for eligible students in grades 3–12 under Texas requirements.

Assessment areas include:

• Body composition
• Aerobic capacity
• Abdominal strength and endurance
• Upper body strength and endurance
• Flexibility

A physical fitness report will be provided at the end of the school year for students who complete the assessment. Contact your child’s physical education teacher with questions about participation or results.

Contact your child’s campus nurse with questions about health screenings, parental consent or follow-up care.