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Along with pencils, papers and crayons, students may be required to bring eyeglasses to school next year.
A new Illinois law requires all children receive an eye examination before they enter kindergarten in the 2008-09 school year. Pending the governor’s approval, another new law may alter the age students receive a physical examination from fifth to sixth grade.
Local school districts, including South Berwyn School District 100, have already begun disseminating the information to parents at registration events and through district newsletters. School officials say the law requiring an eye exam would benefit children, but might present unforeseen financial issues for families required to pay for the doctor’s visit.
“Anytime you can find students that have vision problems, it’s a good thing to identify those who need glasses,” said Jane Bagus, director of special student services for District 100. “In the classroom, teachers hold up books or use the white board for information and vision is one of the most important things for students. The challenge could be for families who don’t have the finances to pay for an optometrist to get their child tested.”
Bagus said state suggested penalties include withholding a child’s report card, but that the district will not penalize families who cannot afford the doctor’s examination because of financial difficulties.
North Berwyn District 98 officials did not return calls for comment.
The new law specifies all kindergarten students must have a completed eye exam by Oct. 15 or have proof they will be receiving one within 60 days. Any student who received a health exam within one year before entering fifth grade may not be required to have another, according to the legislation pending the governor’s approval.
If students are unable to complete an exam, they must submit a waiver specifying the reasons. If an eye exam is not completed, the district has the right to withhold students’ report cards.
Berwyn optometrist Richard Torson, of Rosin Eye Care at 6233 Cermak Road, said students have been coming to his office for preschool exams earlier than usual this year. Torson said most children he examines have a vision impediment to some degree.
“Parents have been bringing their children in for physical exams for eons, so if they have a toothache or (are sick), they won’t be distracted in school,” Torson said. “Well, I have news for you — your vision is a whole lot more important than any of that.”
Along with pencils, papers and crayons, students may be required to bring eyeglasses to school next year.
A new Illinois law requires all children receive an eye examination before they enter kindergarten in the 2008-09 school year. Pending the governor’s approval, another new law may alter the age students receive a physical examination from fifth to sixth grade.
Local school districts, including South Berwyn School District 100, have already begun disseminating the information to parents at registration events and through district newsletters. School officials say the law requiring an eye exam would benefit children, but might present unforeseen financial issues for families required to pay for the doctor’s visit.
“Anytime you can find students that have vision problems, it’s a good thing to identify those who need glasses,” said Jane Bagus, director of special student services for District 100. “In the classroom, teachers hold up books or use the white board for information and vision is one of the most important things for students. The challenge could be for families who don’t have the finances to pay for an optometrist to get their child tested.”
Bagus said state suggested penalties include withholding a child’s report card, but that the district will not penalize families who cannot afford the doctor’s examination because of financial difficulties.
North Berwyn District 98 officials did not return calls for comment.
The new law specifies all kindergarten students must have a completed eye exam by Oct. 15 or have proof they will be receiving one within 60 days. Any student who received a health exam within one year before entering fifth grade may not be required to have another, according to the legislation pending the governor’s approval.
If students are unable to complete an exam, they must submit a waiver specifying the reasons. If an eye exam is not completed, the district has the right to withhold students’ report cards.
Berwyn optometrist Richard Torson, of Rosin Eye Care at 6233 Cermak Road, said students have been coming to his office for preschool exams earlier than usual this year. Torson said most children he examines have a vision impediment to some degree.
“Parents have been bringing their children in for physical exams for eons, so if they have a toothache or (are sick), they won’t be distracted in school,” Torson said. “Well, I have news for you — your vision is a whole lot more important than any of that.”
School officials and optometrists agree that screenings traditionally performed by school nurses or other staff members are often not as thorough as those performed by licensed eye doctors.
“The screenings that are done in the school do not compare in any way to a full examination,” Torson said. “We can cut out the middle person, because sometimes those screenings are not done in the most optimal of conditions.”
Torson said the three most common vision problems within children are far-sightedness, near-sightedness and astigmatism. He said it can be difficult to diagnose vision problems in children, and that an eye exam is the best way to pinpoint a problem.
“It’s important for parents and teachers to know what the children can see — if they can see the spelling words on the chalkboard or math problems or homework or read books,” Torson said. “We want to have kids see as clearly as possible so they can learn everything they can in school.”
