MN SF2239

Establishes a competitive three-year grant program administered by the Commissioner of Education for school districts, charter schools, consortiums, and tribal schools to conduct vision therapy pilot projects.

Requires comprehensive eye examinations for second and third graders in the first year, and second graders plus fourth graders new to the school with individualized education programs in subsequent years; parents may opt students out in writing.

Mandates schools provide vision therapy to students identified as needing it through examinations, with results shared with individualized education program teams to determine if vision therapy alone may be appropriate.

Grant applications must include details on participating schools, vision therapy providers, evaluation methods for vision and reading skills, student monitoring procedures, and supplemental reading interventions available after therapy.

Requires the Commissioner to report to legislative committees by January 15, 2017, assessing how many students with individualized education programs no longer needed them after receiving comprehensive eye exams and vision therapy.