Preliminary development of the School Health Intensity Rating Scale

Nursing consultants from the states included in the Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center, U.S. Dept. of Education, identified the need for a scale to classify student health status. The classification would allow schools to determine the level of needed student health services. This identified need led to the development of the School Health Intensity Rating Scale (SHIRS) degree in partnership with Donna A. Peters. RN, PhD. FAAN, developer of the Community Health Intensity Rating Scale (CHIRS). The consultants and school nurses participating in the project piloted the scale and a scale research project is now in progress.