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VISION AND LEARNING FACT SHEET - 2001

Currently, California Legislators are considering three vision bills:

AB 1095 - Requires comprehensive eye exams when entering school

AB 1096 - Funds pilot vision programs in low performing schools

SB 606 - Adds testing for reading related vision skills---near acuity, eye tracking, focus and convergence skills---to the California school screening statute

P.A.V.E.® is a strong supporter of all three bills and encourages all parents and teachers to let their legislators know that these bills need to be passed for the welfare of our children.

Why are these bills important?

National PTA Resolution passes unanimously urging local PTA units to educate parents, educators and the public at large about the vital connection between vision and learning and the need to improve vision screenings to test all the visual skills critical for learning. The PTA Resolution states an estimated 10 million children below the age of 10 have vision problems which affect their ability to learn.

National Society for the Prevention of Blindness estimates 10 million children in the United States have undiagnosed vision problems!

A comprehensive learning related vision screening administered to 600 children in grades K-8 showed that the regular school screening for visual acuity missed the following:

20-25% of children enter school with significant vision problems that can affect their development and progress in school. (National Center for Health Statistics)

Vision disorders are the fourth most common disability in the United States and the most prevalent handicapping condition in childhood. Between 8-12 million children are affected. (American Foundation for Vision Awareness)

Current California school vision screenings require testing for distance visual acuity for all students and color vision for boys only. The Snellen distance acuity test was developed in 1860 and measures only how clearly a child can see a row of letters from 20 feet. It does not test the visual skills related to reading.

The presence of 20/20 visual acuity does NOT rule out the existence of other vision problems which may compound or cause specific reading or learning problems. (Seaton Study)

Assessment of 1,000 Los Angeles school children showed that 47% suffered from vision impairments. (Los Angeles Times - March 26, 1999)

Children are the least likely age group to visit an eye care professional. (Better Vision Institute)

Research indicates that in "high risk" populations such as children born in poverty, the ratio is likely to be many times higher for undiagnosed vision problems.

Students who were rated as poor in motivation and performance by parents and teachers were statistically more likely to have eye teaming, focusing, eye movement and visual form reproduction problems. (P.A.V.E.-Marvin Elementary Research Project testing 413 students in San Diego Unified School District in 1988-1989)

Optometrists are discovering that many children who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) also show shortfalls in vision tests. (San Bernardino Sun)

A lack of learning-related vision skills may be setting some youngsters on the path to hard core juvenile delinquency as early as first, second or third grade. (Optometric Center of Maryland Study 1989)

70% of juvenile delinquents tested have vision problems which interfere with their ability to learn. Recidivism was reduced from 45% to 16% when wards received on-site optometric vision therapy at the Regional Youth Education Facility in San Bernardino, California (California Department of Youth Authority - 1989)

66% of illiterate adults have vision problems. (National Center on Adult Literacy)

Kansas offers a successful vision program called "Operation Bright Start," which provides a free vision evaluation for all 3 year olds in the state. Operation Bright Start is a program of the American Foundation for Vision Awareness and can be offered in your state.

Kentucky has passed their vision bill requiring professional eye evaluation for all students before starting school.

PLEASE HELP!

URGE YOUR LEGISLATORS TO PASS THESE IMPORTANT BILLS!

Let your voice be heard! E-mail or FAX your support letters to P.A.V.E.® and we will see to it that they reach your legislator. Thanks in advance for your support.

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