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Vision Examinations: Public Act 95-671, effective Tuesday,
January 1, 2008,
requires that all children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private or
parochial school and any student enrolling for the first time in a public,
private or parochial school shall have an eye examination.
* Each such child is to present proof of having been examined by a
physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a licensed
optometrist within the previous year before October 15 of the school year.
If the child fails to present proof by October 15, the school may hold the
child's report card until either (a) the child presents proof of a completed
eye examination or (ii) the child presents proof that any eye examination
will take place within 60 days after October 15.
* This requirement may be waived for children who show an undue
burden
or a lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its
branches who provides eye examinations or to a licensed optometrist.
Moreover, parents or legal guardians who object to eye examinations on
religious grounds shall not be required to submit their children to the
examination if such parents or legal guardians present to the appropriate
local school authority a signed statement of objection, detailing the
grounds for the objection.
* Each public, private and parochial school is required to give
notice
of this eye examination requirement to the parents and guardians of
students. Every school shall report to the State Board of Education by June
30 the number of children who have received the required eye examination,
indicating, of those who have not received the required eye examination, the
number of children who are exempt from the eye examination on religious
grounds, the number of children who have received a waiver, and the total
number of children in noncompliance with the eye examination requirement.
* It is our understanding that IDPH expects very shortly to issue an
emergency rule that will further define the documentation required as proof
of having received an eye examination, the criteria for a child to receive a
waiver, and the type of notice schools must provide to parents and guardians
of students. Notwithstanding the forthcoming rule, ISBE is attaching a
proof of examination and a waiver form that can be used for this coming
school year. |
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