EYESIGHT AND EDUCATION,

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 120, 11 February 1926, Page 1

EYESIGHT AND EDUCATION,

WHAT U.S. SCHOOL TESTS SHOW ' \ Eye tests of more school children in New York'city “in- 1 dicate that approximately 25 percent, suffer not only in health, but in scholastic work from poor vision.” This statement was made by the Eyesight Conservation Council of America, which is conducting a nation-wide campaign for better vision in education and industry. The council bases its statement on a report by Dr. I. H. Goldberger, assistant director of physical training, f who directed the tests. More than 26,000 teachers had charge of the tests, the results of which appear to bear out the findings of a national eye conservation survey recently completed by the council, which is co-operating with Dr. Gold-b-erger. A similar conclusion has been reached by the United States Bureau of Education. In one New York city school, where a special vision test of unusual thoroughness was employed, 95 per cent, of the pupils were found to be wearing glasses unsuited to their needs. "It is common knowledge among educators,” said Dr. Goldberger, “that a child with physical defects is apt to be handicapped in his school progress. It is known that high school students who fail to continue careers after the first term fail mainly because of physical defects. “If our- schools had the power to correct physical defects among our school children cures would result within a reasonably short time. But since we have no such authority the responsibility for action in this direction falls necessarily upon the parents.” He appealed to parents to follow the advice of the schqol principal, the family physician and the school nurse, ! and to take steps to make their children physically normal. “The -riginal cause of defective vision,” he added, “if not removed, may continue to cause strain on the al■eady weakened eyes. A child’s vision is but one of the many tools used in ( the job of educating himself. Defective eyesight is a maternal peril.”