Minnesota Legislature
SF 652
as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/20/2015 09:30am
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to education; creating a vision therapy pilot project; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1. new text begin VISION THERAPY PILOT PROJECT.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Establishment. new text end
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A three-year grant program is established to fund
vision therapy pilot projects in up to four school districts.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Pilot project. new text end
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In each year of the pilot project, second and third grade
students identified by a set of criteria by the pilot school shall be admitted into the pilot
study. Identified students shall have a comprehensive eye examination with written
standard requirements of testing. Students identified with a diagnosis of convergence
insufficiency must undergo a vision efficiency evaluation by a licensed optometrist or
ophthalmologist trained in the evaluation of learning-related vision problems. The results
of this examination shall determine whether a student will qualify for neuro-optometric
vision therapy funded by the grant. The parent or guardian of a student who qualifies for
the pilot program under this paragraph may submit a written notification to the school
opting the student out of the program. Guidelines must be established to provide quality
standards and measures to ensure an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan that is
consistent with the convergence insufficiency treatment trial study.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Application. new text end
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The applicant school district must submit a plan to the
commissioner of education in the form and manner the commissioner determines. A
charter school is not eligible to apply. The application must include:
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(1) the school that will implement the pilot project;
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(2) who will provide the comprehensive eye examination, visual efficiency
evaluation, and the neuro-optometric vision therapy treatment along with appropriate
licensure;
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(3) how the vision and reading skills of students participating in the program will be
evaluated before and after vision therapy;
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(4) how students' progress will be monitored during and after receiving
neuro-optometric vision therapy; and
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(5) what additional reading interventions will be available to students after
completion of the neuro-optometric vision therapy program.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Application review; grant awards. new text end
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(a) Grant money must be paid to the
recipient districts in the 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 school years.
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(b) The grant is awarded for a three-year time period.
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(c) The commissioner shall oversee the grant distribution.
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(d) A grant shall be awarded to Independent School District No. 12, Centennial,
provided the district meets the application requirements in subdivision 3.
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(e) A grant shall be awarded to an applicant district in each of the following
geographic areas:
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(1) a district with its administrative offices located in a city of the first class;
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(2) a district, not including Independent School District No. 12, Centennial, with
its administrative offices located in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or
Washington County, but not in a city of the first class; and
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(3) a district with its administrative offices not located in Anoka, Carver, Dakota,
Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington County, or a city of the first class.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Evaluation. new text end
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The commissioner of education must provide for an evaluation
of the pilot project and must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance by January 15, 2019.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Department of Education. new text end
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The sums indicated in this section
are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal
year designated.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Grants for vision therapy pilot project. new text end
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For grants to implement a
neuro-optometric vision therapy pilot project:
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|
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$ new text end |
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1,000,000 new text end |
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..... new text end |
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2016 new text end |
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|
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$ new text end |
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-0- new text end |
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..... new text end |
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2017 new text end |
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This appropriation is available until expended.
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