2412 Homebound Procedure

HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION PROCEDURES

Homebound instruction is available to students who will be absent from school for an extended period which is defined as follows.

• 20 consecutive school days K-8, or intermittent absences of at least five consecutive school days for an anticipated total of 20 days or more.
• 10 consecutive school absences 9-12, or intermittent absences of at least five consecutive school days for an anticipated total of 15 days or more.

Before homebound instruction can begin, a physician or psychiatrist shall verify the need for absence by completing a written statement and a team of district faculty will meet to develop an educational plan.

Procedures for Students in Regular Education

Initiation of Instruction:

• The parent or teacher learns that the student may be absent from school for a prolonged period of time due to a medical condition.
• The student is discussed at a Pupil Services Team meeting. A decision is made as to whether homebound instruction or any other services are appropriate to provide the student.
• If homebound instruction is deemed not appropriate, the school principal will communicate this information to the parents along with any other recommendations or sources of assistance.
• The student’s counselor or the school nurse secures a signed Release of Information form from the parent.
• The parent or the school nurse has the physician sign and return the Physician’s Statement Homebound Instruction.
• Following the Pupil Services Team meeting, the principal will assign case monitoring responsibilities to either a school nurse or school counselor.
• The principal is responsible for securing the services of a homebound teacher.
• A staffing will be arranged by the case manager with a committee which may include the following people: nurse, homebound teacher, counselor, psychologist, parents, and classroom teacher(s) as needed.
• The purpose of this planning meeting is to agree on:
  • Subjects to be taught at home.
  • Any modifications needed in content, assignments, timelines
  • Schedule for instruction
• A guideline is 3 times per week for 1.5 to 2 hours. This must be arranged with the family. Instruction may be provided at any time during the day or evening or on weekends. A family adult needs to be at home when the homebound teacher is there.
• If a schedule cannot be set at this meeting, the homebound teacher should do this as soon as possible and should give a copy to the case manager who will reflect it in one of the accommodation/intervention plans.
• The schedule for regular contact is made between the homebound teacher and the regular teachers.
• The homebound teacher may communicate directly with the classroom teachers using the counselor as a special liaison if necessary.
• How the student’s grades will be determined.
  • Generally, the homebound teacher will grade daily work and the regular teacher(s) will make final grade decisions.
  • Starting date and probable ending date.
  • Other community sources of support or assistance.
• The case manager will summarize the staffing meeting via an intervention plan summary.
• The principal will inform the appropriate school personnel, including attendance office staff, of the starting and probable ending date of homebound instruction.
• The case manager will consult with the counselor, nurse, and the homebound teacher, at least once a quarter, to re-evaluate, etc.
• The student’s counselor is expected to maintain contact, periodically, with the homebound student.

Responsibilities of the Homebound Teacher During The Period of Homebound Instruction:

• Secure needed texts, notes, course outlines, and assignments from the teachers. If problems arise, the homebound teacher should contact the student’s counselor.
• Establish a schedule, if not done at the staffing. Give the case manager a copy and any revisions that develop.
• Keep the case manager apprised of any changes in the student’s or family’s situation.
• Clarify the expectation with parents that at least one family adult needs to be in the home during the time of homebound instruction.
• Turn a time sheet into the principal for each student at the end of every month. This sheet should reflect instructional and preparation time, including meetings.
• Confer with the student’s teachers and counselors if necessary.

Termination of Homebound Instruction:

• The case manager will notify, via a memo, the principal and appropriate school personnel, including attendance office staff, of the homebound instruction termination date.
• The case manager will compose an intervention plan closing memo with appropriate comments noted reflecting the fact that homebound instruction has ended.

Procedures for Special Education Students

Initiation of Instruction:

• The parent or the student’s special education teacher learns that the student may be absent from school for a prolonged period of time due to a medical condition.
• The special education teacher discusses the need for homebound instruction with the Director of Pupil Services, school nurse and the principal. If there is not a need for homebound instruction, the Principal will inform the parents.
• If there is a need for homebound instruction, the Director of Pupil Services or designee will secure a signed Release of Information from the parent.
• The Director of Pupil Services or designee will secure a Physician’s Statement Homebound Instruction (form PI 2217) statement.
• The principal secures a homebound teacher and notifies the IEP Case Manager.
• The IEP Case Manager coordinates an IEP Committee meeting. The IEP composition should include the Pupil Services Director (LEA representative), the parents, the special education teacher, regular education teachers, the homebound teacher, and the student (if appropriate). Others to be considered as IEP participants include the principal, nurse, and guidance counselor (required for secondary-level students).
• The following points are discussed at the IEP Committee meeting and documented by the IEP Chairperson on the revised IEP.
  • Subjects to be taught at home.
  • Any modifications needed in content, assignments, or timelines.
  • Schedule for Instruction:
• A guideline is 3 times per week for 1.5 to 2 hours. This must be arranged with the family. Instruction may be provided at any time during the day or evening or on weekends. A family adult needs to be at home when the homebound teacher is there.
• If a schedule cannot be set at this meeting, the homebound teacher should do this as soon as possible and should give a copy to the IEP Case Manager who will reflect it in the revised IEP.
• The schedule for regular contact between the homebound teacher and the regular and/or Special Education teacher.
• The homebound teacher may communicate directly with the classroom teachers and the IEP Chairperson as needed.
• How the student’s grades will be determined
  • Generally, the homebound teacher will grade daily work and regular - or - (2) Special Education teacher(s) will make final grade decisions.
  • Provisions of any related services needed.
  • Starting date and probable ending date.
  • Other community sources of support or assistance.
• The IEPCase Manager sends the revised IEP and Notice of Placement to the Pupil Service Director.
• The Director of Pupil Services and or designee sends a copy of the revised IEP to the parent, homebound teacher, and IEP Chairperson.
• The Director of Pupil Services and or designee notifies the building administrator and the appropriate personnel, including attendance office staff, of the starting date for homebound instruction.

Responsibilities of the Homebound Teacher during the Period of Homebound Instruction:

• Secure needed texts, notes, course outlines, and assignments from the teachers. If problems arise, the homebound teacher should check with the IEP Case Manager.
• Establish a schedule, if not done at the IEP meeting. Give the IEP Case Manager a copy and any revisions that develop.
• The IEP Case Manager is apprised of any changes in the student’s or family’s situation.
• Clarify the expectation with parents that at least one family adult needs to be in the home during the time of homebound instruction.
• Give the principal a separate time sheet for each student at the end of every month. This sheet should reflect instructional and preparation time (including meetings).
• Principal gives these materials to district office:
  • Upon termination of instruction, complete a Homebound Teacher’s Report summarizing his or her work and give it to the principal.
  • Confer with the student’s teachers and counselor if necessary.

Termination of Homebound Instruction:

• The IEP Chairperson upon being notified that homebound instruction is to end, will convene an IEP meeting to review the IEP and change the student’s special education placement. The Homebound Teacher’s Report should be used as the source of information.
• The IEP Chairperson documents the changes on the IEP.
• The IEP Chairperson sends the revised IEP and the Notice of Placement to the Pupil Services Director. This revised IEP notes the final day of homebound instruction.
• The Pupil Services Director sends a copy of the IEP to the parents and special education teacher.
• The Pupil Services Director notifies the principal and attendance personnel at the school of the termination date for attendance records.