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 1,982 students, making our state 39th in the country. 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