NEW STATE MOTTO
North Carolina– The Nanny State
Lanell Perkins and Carla Ross know how important early detection of eye problems can be to a child.
“Vision affects reading, being able to see the teacher especially in guided instructional sessions, seeing information on a chart or dry erase boards,” Ross said. “The eye exams increase the likelihood of school success rather than setting a child up for failure and having him try to catch up later.”
So they support a new law signed by Governor Mike Easley in August. That law, which will be enforced by the N.C. Department Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, requires every child entering kindergarten in a North Carolina public school to receive a professional eye exam before entering school in 2006-2007. The only thing, Ross and Perkins say, is the law does not go far enough.
The new law does not affect children who attend private, charter or home schools.
“They require a kindergarten physical for every child regardless of what school they attend so why not eye exams too?” Perkins asked.
I agree. My kids often complain about not being able to see the white board when my wife is lecturing to them sitting 30 feet away. And Perkins is wrong about the law, too. NC home education law does not mandate a physical exam, only that they be up-to-date on their vaccines.
One Response to “NEW STATE MOTTO”
 Comment by Carlotta January 16th, 2006 at 10:33 am |
Ooops..sensitive topic! I conceded the point on eye tests this very am, and took Dd in for one, having already put it off about 5 times. (We had done all the tests perfectly adequately here at home with help of a GP grandma), but anxiety about failing to turn up and the possibility of being flagged as someone who repeatedly does not attend, caused me to give in. What a waste of time and money that was. |