The school years are an important period in a child’s life. During this time, children are introduced to the world of learning and they begin to acquire vital social skills. Development in both of these areas can be inhibited, however, if a child’s vision or hearing is impaired. That is why it is so important for children to be screened regularly for vision and hearing loss.
Throughout the school year, students in the state mandated grade levels will be screened for vision and hearing. The students who will be screened are as follows:
- Hearing: Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, all new students and students receiving special education services.
- Vision: Preschool, Kindergarten, 2nd, 8th, all new students and students receiving special education services.
If a child fails their first screening, they will be re-screened approximately 14 days later. Parents will be notified if a student fails two screenings and will be encouraged to take their child for an evaluation with a physician.
Vision and hearing screening is not a substitute for a complete vision and hearing evaluation by a doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening IF an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months. If a parent does not wish a student to undergo this screening within the schools, they will need to provide a written request stating their objection to the screening, as well as, a vision evaluation form completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist signed within the past 12 months.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call your school’s health office.
