Reducing Medical Exclusions of Kindergarten Children.

A practicum was conducted to address the problem of medical exclusion of kindergarteners in a Chicago elementary school serving black, low income children. In order to comply with the state health law, all students entering school for the first time must show evidence of a current physical examination and up-to-date immunizations. Students not in medical compliance by October 15 are excluded from school until they meet these requirements. A review of the literature revealed that the preferred method of achieving medical compliance was to refuse admittance to school to any student lacking these medical requirements. Instead of refusing admittance, a 3-month campaign was waged beginning in the summer of 1984 to give information to parents about available medical services. Since the area was isolated from city health facilities and parents were poor, free and inexpensive medical care was coordinated at facilities near the school. Notices sent home with students and given at parent group meetings disseminated information about medical requirements and the availability of health care. While the goal of 90 percent medical compliance was not achieved by October 15, considerable gains were made and by that date, 71 percent of the students had received the needed health care. Recommendations were made for decreasing parental indifference through parent groups and high school education so that medical exclusions can be further reduced in the future. (Author/CB)