Educational Opportunities in School Health Examinations *

Much has recently been written about the educational functions of health examinations of school pupils. Studies have been concerned with the number of defects discovered and with the extent of their correction. While a major purpose of the examination may be the detection and relief of adverse conditions, action toward this end depends upon the understanding of parent and of pupil as well as upon economic and other factors. The presence of a parent during the examination of an entering pupil enhances the value of this experience. The term "education" as contrasted with "service" implies that the parent and child are made to understand the significance of a personal health problem and are encouraged to become resourceful, self-reliant, and independent in meeting their own problems. Granting that the school health examination is potentially one of the best means of building fundamental relationships of good will and understanding between the school and the home, and that upon such relationships depends the success of the school health program, it may be asked how fully our objective is realized. More specifically, for our immediate purpose, what contribution to the knowledge and attitudes of the consumer (especially the parent and the pupil) is made by the health examination?t