The Chandler Unified School District is partnering with the Arizona Lions Vision and Hearing Foundation to provide free eye exams and glasses for students.
The district’s governing board unanimously approved an agreement with the organization this week.
Jennifer Fletcher is the executive director of Assessment, Accountability and Research at the district. She said they already conduct screenings at certain grade levels because it’s required by law.
“We’ve heard from teachers that often students fail their vision test and then there’s limited access for them to get to resources," Fletcher said.
Staff members will be reaching out to families with students who failed their screening and do not have the resources to get glasses at home. Once they have identified 25 to 30 students in need, the district will schedule an event in their area. They hope to operate several events throughout the school year.
The initial idea for the partnership came from Valerie Gyory, the district's Families in Transition academic coach. That department provides support for unique student populations like English-language learners and low income families.
“Chandler Unified is really invested in supporting the whole child," Fletcher said. "We want to make sure that all of their needs are being met because that helps them be more successful academically [and] emotionally. We want them to be successful long term.”
Mesa Public Schools also offers this program and hosts six to seven events per year. Mesa and Chandler are the two largest public school districts in the state.
