005.28.22 Ark. Code R. § 001 Rules Governing Eye and Vision Screening Report In Arkansas Public Schools

• Library: Arkansas Administrative Code
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, December, 2023
• Year: 2023
• Citation: 005.28.22 Ark. Code R. § 001

ARKANSAS DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION RULES GOVERNING EYE AND VISION SCREENING REPORT IN ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

May 2, 2022

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of these Rules is to establish the requirements and procedures for governing eye and vision screening procedures and test standards in Arkansas Public Schools.

2.0 REGULATORY AUTHORITY

These Rules are enacted pursuant to the authority of the State Board of Education under Ark. Code Ann. §§ 6-18-1501et seq. and 25Title25-15-201 et seq.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of these rules, the following terms mean:

3.01 "Commission" means the Arkansas Commission on Eye and Vision Care of School Age Children, which is established by the State of Arkansas to study the eye and vision needs of school age children, evaluate current vision screening programs, and make recommendations to develop a strategic state wide plan to ensure adequate eye and vision care for the school age children of Arkansas.

3.02 "Division" means the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

3.03 "Screening" means to test in order to separate according to skills or ability.

3.04 Vision Care Consultant means an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

4.0 VISION SCREENINGS / APPROVED INSTRUMENTS

4.01 All students in pre-kindergarten (PK), 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.

4.02 The requirements in these Rules apply to students attending all public schools and public charter schools.

4.03 Nothing in these Rules shall preclude voluntary screening of any educational grade or preclude the referral of any student, regardless of grade, who the teacher or school nurse feels should be screened or examined.

4.04 The responsibility for the enforcement of these Rules rests equally with each school district or charter school and the parent or guardian of the student.

4.05 The Division and Commission establish in these Rules the tests, procedures, equipment, and instruments that shall be used to perform eye and vision screenings.

4.06 The approved screening process will include the following:4.06.1 Observation and external inspection of the eye; 4.06.2 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; 4.06.3 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; 4.06.4 Lateral muscle balance test at far; 4.06.5 Vertical muscle balance test at far; 4.06.6 Fusion or binocularity at far; 4.06.7 Lateral muscle balance test at near; 4.06.8 Fusion or binocularity at near; and 4.06.9 Color perception. 4.06.10 Screening instruments and equipment must be approved. These instruments...