Sec. 12. (a) For purposes of this section, “modified clinical technique” means a battery of vision tests that includes:

(1) a visual acuity test to determine an individual’s ability to see at various distances;

(2) a refractive error test to determine the focusing power of the eye;

(3) an ocular health test to determine any external or internal abnormalities of the eye; and

(4) a binocular coordination test to determine if the eyes are working together properly.

     (b) For purposes of this section, “vision screening” means the testing of visual acuity to determine an individual’s ability to see at various distances using:

(1) the Snellen chart;

(2) Sloan letter charts;

(3) HOTV letter or LEA symbol charts for younger students; or

(4) technology devices, including photoscreens or autorefractors, for a child who is unable to perform the tests described in subdivisions (1) through (3);

at a distance of either ten (10) or twenty (20) feet for distance vision, depending on the calibration of the chart being used, and a distance of fourteen (14) inches for near vision.

     (c) The modified clinical technique shall be performed by an ophthalmologist licensed as a physician under IC 25-22.5 or an optometrist licensed under IC 25-24.

     (d) The governing body of each school corporation shall conduct a vision test for each student enrolling in or transferring into:

(1) either kindergarten or grade 1;

(2) grade 3;

(3) grade 5; and

(4) grade 8;

and for each student suspected of having a visual defect.

     (e) The vision test for students in kindergarten and grade 1 shall be conducted using the modified clinical technique unless a waiver is granted under section 13 of this chapter. If a waiver is granted for a school corporation, the governing body shall conduct a vision screening described in subsection (b) upon each student’s enrollment in kindergarten or grade 1.

     (f) Each student described in subsection (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4), and each student suspected of having a visual defect shall be tested using a vision screening of the student’s visual acuity.

     (g) The following standards apply for a vision screening under subsections (e) and (f):

(1) A student in kindergarten or grade 1 who is unable to read with each eye the 20/30 line of the Snellen chart or the 20/32 line of the Sloan letters, HOTV, or LEA symbol optotypes shall be recommended for further examination based upon the recommendation of the individual performing the screening.

(2) A student:

(A) in grade 3, grade 5, or grade 8; or

(B) suspected of having a visual defect;

who is unable to read with each eye the 20/30 line of the Snellen chart or the 20/32 line of the Sloan letters shall be recommended for further examination based upon the recommendation of the individual performing the screening.

(3) If a student at any grade level is recommended for further examination, the school must provide a written recommendation for further examination to the parent or legal guardian of the student.

     (h) Records of all tests shall be made and continuously maintained by the school corporation to provide information useful in protecting, promoting, and maintaining the health of students. The Indiana department of health, in consultation with the state board, shall adopt rules concerning vision testing equipment, qualifications of vision testing personnel, visual screening procedures, and criteria for failure and referral in the screening tests based on accepted medical practice and standards.

     (i) The school corporation’s governing body and the superintendent shall receive annually the following information concerning the tests conducted under this section:

(1) The number of students eligible for testing, by grade.

(2) The number of students tested, by grade.

(3) The number of students by grade who were tested using the modified clinical technique.

(4) The number of students by grade who were tested using a vision screening.

(5) The number of students by grade who passed a test.

(6) The number of students by grade who failed a test or were referred for further testing.

(7) The name of the individual or department that supervised the testing.

     (j) Each school corporation shall annually provide to the department, for each school within the school corporation, the following information concerning the tests conducted under this section:

(1) the number of students tested by grade;

(2) the number of students by grade who were tested using the modified clinical technique;

(3) the number of students by grade who were tested using a vision screening;

(4) the number of students who passed a test by grade; and

(5) the number of students who failed a test or who were referred for further testing.

     (k) Not later than October 1 each year, the department shall report for the previous school year:

(1) a compilation of the information received from school corporations under subsection (j);

(2) information received under section 13 of this chapter, including:

(A) the number of school corporations that applied for a waiver;

(B) the number of waivers approved;

(C) the number of waivers denied;

(D) the name of each school corporation that applied for a waiver and whether the waiver was approved or denied; and

(E) the reason for the approval or denial;

(3) the total number of students eligible for testing; and

(4) the total number of students tested;

to the legislative council in electronic format under IC 5-14-6.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-7-16.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.161-2009, SEC.3; P.L.89-2013, SEC.1; P.L.56-2023, SEC.188; P.L.164-2023, SEC.52.