Vision Support Programs in the School District of Philadelphia 1

Vision Support Referral Process Student fails vision screening by school nurse All students in all grades, plus newly admitted students, are given vision screenings Nurse refers student for full eye exam by Optometrist or Ophthalmologist 2

Vision Support Referral Process - Continued Diagnosed Vision Impairment With corrective glasses Low Vision- 20/70 Legally Blind- 20/200 or a visual field of 20 degrees or less Light Perception- can tell when lights are on or off Totally Blind- sometimes safety glasses are worn 3

Vision Support Referral Process - Continued If a vision impairment is diagnosed, then a Permission to Evaluate (PTE) is issued Special Education Liaison (SEL) or vision itinerant (also called Teacher of the Visually Impaired) sends PTE to parent A Functional vision assessment by the vision itinerant follows the signed PTE An Evaluation Report (ER) is written An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for vision services is developed and implemented 4

Levels of Service Roles and Responsibilities of Teachers of the Visually Impaired Works directly with students Provides specialized equipment, materials, and strategies to maximize student’s vision Collaborates with, and supports classroom teachers Assess visual functioning of students Writes Evaluation Reports and IEPs 5

Levels of Service Program placement is based upon the need to provide a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). A range of options continues to be the most effective approach and is part of Pa., Chapter 14, special education law. 6

Vision Support Levels of Service Itinerant – Up to 20% of the School Day Vision support (K – 12) occurs in student’s neighborhood school or at the Overbrook Educational Center (K-8) Student is inside the regular classroom 80% or more Supplemental – 20% to 40% of the School Day Vision support (K – 12) occurs in student’s neighborhood school or at the Overbrook Education Center (K-8) Supplemental – Classroom Programs – More than 40% of the School Day Student’s vision impairment requires more time in a self- contained classroom in order to make educational progress Location: Overbrook Educational Center (K-8) 7

Vision Support Levels of Service Full-Time Vision Support All of our School District of Philadelphia (SDP) classroom programs are Supplemental Level Programs. Full-Time placement is available in an Approved Private School (APS). APS placement is recommended when a student needs a program of Vision Support that cannot be provided by the School District of Philadelphia. 8