In this second Golden Opportunity Fund feature, The Learning Center takes a closer look at the critical importance of accurate vision care for students.
This past year, The Learning Center embarked on a project to provide comprehensive vision care for its students, highlighting the profound impact such initiatives can have on educational outcomes and overall well-being. Through a partnership with Vision to Learn, they aimed to ensure every student sees their future clearly—both literally and figuratively.
20/20 Vision for All
Jessica Tolino, The Learning Center
Overview: Clear vision is essential for effective learning, yet studies indicate that 25% of children have vision problems significant enough to affect their academic performance. Title 1 students disproportionately affected by unmet vision needs, including many students at The Learning Center (TLC) who lack access to quality vision care or have outdated prescriptions.
Solution and Results: To address this issue, we partnered with Vision to Learn to provide free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to qualifying TLC students. Vision to Learn screened all 80 students at TLC, identifying 24 who needed full vision evaluations. Over two days, a mobile vision clinic conducted these exams, resulting in 18 students receiving free glasses.
Q&A with Jessica Tolino, Speech Language Pathologist, The Learning Center
What was your greatest takeaway from your project?
My biggest takeaway was that small efforts can have large impacts. Through the Golden Opportunity Fund, we were able to align with KIPPs mission to serve our students and help them reach their greatest potential.
Why did you think it was important to apply for the Golden Opportunity Fund grant this school year?
Federal resources and state resources have been increasingly difficult to access. Through this grant provided by KIPP, we were able to provide equity and accessibility for all of our TLC students.
How would you like to see your project sustained in upcoming school years?
Future 20/20 Vision for All hopes to provide regular screenings for students in grades Pre-k, 1, 3, 5, 8th graders and students transferring in. That way their vision stays up-to-date and they are set up for success by removing this barrier.
Hopefully, in the future, we will start seeing specific budget lines for glasses and proactive health measures included in educational funding.
What is one thing you learned from leading your project this school year?
I learned that proactive health measures, such as regular vision screenings, combined with open communication with families about resources and supports that are available, are highly effective ways to improve student outcomes. Student success is a community effort!
Learn more about the Golden Opportunity Fund and Honor Academy’s Immersive Learning with VR Program
