A student who cannot see well is at an obvious disadvantage in the classroom. That’s a key reason the Student Vision Screening Program is provided by legislative appropriation to the Mississippi Department of Education. The program, conducted by Vision Research Corporation, provides free eye screenings for all kindergarten students in all public schools throughout the state.
A comprehensive follow-up by Sight Savers America is included in the program to help assure that each child referred by the vision screenings receives the appropriate professional care, including no-cost eye exams and glasses if needed.
Mississippi Code 37-3-87 requires cooperation of each district in conducting this program. Districts are requested to provide their usual cooperation when Vision Research calls to schedule screenings and when Sight Savers calls for follow-up.
The Student Vision Screening program has been provided statewide in Mississippi for more than 20 years with the goal of helping assure young students are as well prepared as possible by finding and helping students with vision problems. Generally, around one out of every 10 young students has a vision problem significant enough to warrant professional attention. On average, that is two or three students in every class who will not be able to perform to their full potential.