Vision & Hearing Screenings School Requirements

Our ability to see and hear greatly impacts our ability to learn. Recognizing the importance of hearing and vision, the California Legislature enacted a law in 1947 requiring school districts to screen students’ vision and hearing so that they may best benefit from the education offered.

Special Education

"All pupils being assessed for initial and three-year review for special education services shall have had a hearing and vision screening, unless parental permission was denied."

Special Education health assessments and treatments are required for students with disabilities, as indicated by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and as outlined in IDEA. School nurses, school psychologists, speech therapists and other health professionals may be involved in both initial and triennial special education health assessments.

Vision Screening

A school vision screening is a relatively short examination that helps to identify the presence of a vision problem your child may be experiencing. It cannot diagnose exactly what is wrong with their eyesight, but it can indicate that an appointment needs to be made with a children's optometrist.

School Nurses will conduct annual vision screening for the grades Kinder, 2nd, 5th, and 8th. The screening consist of distant and near visual acuity for all grades. Additionally, color vision screening for first grade boys only.

Vision screening in California public schools must be conducted by a Credentialed School Nurse or other qualified personnel under Ed Code 49452.

California Education Code 49452, the California Department of Education, A Guide for Vision Testing in California Public Schools, and SBCUSD AR 5141.3 Students Health Examinations.

Hearing Screening

School-age hearing screenings are an integral tool in identifying children with hearing loss who were not identified at birth, lost to follow-up, or who developed hearing loss later. Without mandated routine hearing screenings in schools, students with unilateral, less severe or late onset hearing loss may not be identified or will be misdiagnosed and managed.

The grades screened annually for hearing are Kinder, 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, and upon first school entry. Screening is performed by our credentialed school nurses who hold an audiometry certificate.

California Education Code 49452, California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 2952