§ 6-18-1501 - Vision screenings. - Arkansas Statutes

6-18-1501. Vision screenings.

(a) (1) (A) (i) Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, all children in prekindergarten (preK), kindergarten (K), grades one (1), two (2), four (4), six (6), and eight (8) and all transfer students shall receive an eye and vision screening.

(ii) This requirement applies to public schools and public charter schools.

(B) (i) The Department of Education shall ensure the provision of all general revenues necessary to access federal funds for eye and vision screenings for all qualified federal healthcare program recipients.

(ii) The school district shall be responsible for all remaining costs associated with eye and vision screenings.

(C) Nothing in this subchapter shall preclude voluntary screening of any educational grade or preclude the referral of any child regardless of grade who the teacher or school nurse feels should be screened or examined.

(2) The responsibility for the enforcement of this section rests equally with each school district or public charter school and the parent or guardian of the child.

(b) An eye and vision screening shall include the following tests, procedures, equipment, and instruments approved by the Arkansas Commission on Eye and Vision Care of School Age Children and the department:

(1) Observation and external inspection of the eye;

(2) Distance visual acuity test using a Snellen Eye Chart at twenty feet (20') or an age or developmentally appropriate chart at ten feet (10') outside a vision screening instrument;

(3) A plus lens visual acuity test using a Snellen Eye Chart at twenty feet (20') or an age or developmentally appropriate chart at ten feet (10') outside a vision screening instrument; and

(4) Visual screening instrument tests, which include:

(A) Lateral muscle balance test at far;

(B) Vertical muscle balance test at far;

(C) Fusion or binocularity at far;

(D) Lateral muscle balance test at near;

(E) Fusion or binocularity at near; and

(F) Color perception.

(c) A child who fails an eye and vision screening shall be rescreened within one (1) month of the initial screening by the school nurse or a school vision care consultant.

(d) (1) An eye and vision screening report shall be sent or given to each parent or guardian of each child who has failed the vision screening test.

(2) The report shall identify whether the child passed or failed the screening and the need for a comprehensive eye and vision examination.

(3) The report shall be mailed or given directly to the parent or guardian by the appropriate school personnel and shall comply with all applicable privacy laws.