School Health Services

• Twenty-six percent of children and adolescents in Colorado have no health insurance. Source
• The recommended school nurse-to-student ratio is one nurse per 750 students, but Colorado’s ratio is one nurse to 2,101 students, making our state 39th in the country. (Source: National Association of School Nurses) Plus, Colorado, like many states, does not specify the maximum school nurse-to-student ratio or require that each school have a full-time nurse. Source
• Colorado does require that newly hired school nurses have an undergraduate degree in nursing as well as a registered nursing license and state school nurse certification. Source
• Colorado requires districts or schools to provide health services when needed in four out of 10 areas measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source
• Colorado requires districts or schools to provide prevention services — such as alcohol or drug prevention; nutrition and physical activity counseling; and pregnancy prevention — in nine out of 10 areas measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source
• Colorado requires districts or schools to screen students for health problems in two (hearing and vision) out of five areas measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source