HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION PROGRAM i 2012-13 INTRODUCTION The Board of Education through the regulations establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia requires in 8 VAC 20-131-180 that: Homebound instruction shall be made available to students who are confined at home or in a health care facility for periods that would prevent normal school attendance based upon certification of need by a licensed physician or licensed clinical psychologist. For students eligible for special education or related services, the Individualized Education Program committee must revise the IEP, as appropriate, to direct off-site instruction. Credit for the work shall be awarded when it is done under the supervision of a teacher licensed by the Board of Education and meets the requirements of 8 VAC 20-131-110. Schools are encouraged to pursue alternative means to deliver instruction to accommodate student needs through emerging technologies and other similar means. Standard units of credit shall be awarded for successful completion of such courses when the course is equivalent to that offered in the regular school program and the work is done under the supervision of a licensed teacher. Verified units of credit may be earned when the student has successfully completed the requirements and passed the SOL test associated with the course. The local school board shall develop policies governing this method of delivery of instruction that shall include the provisions of 8 VAC 20-131-110 and the administration of required SOL tests prescribed by 8 VAC 20-131-30. Additionally, the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Students With Disabilities in Virginia in 8 VAC 20-81-130 that: Home-based instruction shall be made available to children whose IEPs require the delivery of services in the home or other agreedupon setting. Homebound instruction shall be made available to children who are confined for periods that would prevent normal school attendance based upon certification of need by a licensed physician or clinical psychologist. For students eligible for special education and related services, the IEP team shall revise the IEP, as appropriate, and determine the delivery of homebound services, including the number of hours of services. 1
ACPS homebound instruction is managed by two central office locations. 1) The Office of Student Support Services manages homebound instruction for general education students. Requests for homebound instruction or other inquiries should be sent to the attention of Arnecia Moody, Homebound Coordinator. Ms. Moody can be contacted by email at arnecia.moody@acps.k12.va.us or by phone at 703-824-6704. 2) The Office of Special Education Services manages homebound and home-based instruction for students with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP). Requests for homebound/home-based instruction or other inquiries should be sent to the attention of Lora D Adamo, Assistant Director of Special Education. Ms. D Adamo can be contacted by email at lora.dadamo@acps.k12.va.us or by phone at 703-824-6650. HOMEBOUND/HOME-BASED INSTRUCTION Homebound or home-based instruction is designed so the student does not fall significantly behind during the period of time it is required. It is necessary for the student to participate in the instructional process and complete assignments. Homework should be expected. Not all work will be completed in the presence of the homebound teacher. Every effort will be made to ensure academic progress; however, course credit must still be earned according to class requirements. Priority is given to core academic subjects (see figure below). Homebound Instruction IS: Designed so that the student does not fall significantly behind during the period of confinement Interactive; the student is expected to participate in the instructional process and complete assignments Expected to include homework Intended to make every effort to ensure academic progress Intended to provide priority to core academic subjects Homebound Instruction IS NOT: Intended to supplant school services Expected to have all work completed in the presence of the homebound teacher A substitute for course credit that must be earned according to class requirements A guarantee that specialty classes (i.e., requiring labs, special facilities or equipment) will be comparable Automatically inclusive of elective courses A guarantee of on-time graduation; all diploma requirements must be met for graduation Elementary students are expected to receive 1 hour of instruction per day; middle school students are to receive 8 hours of instruction per week and high school students are to receive 2 hours per core academic subject per week. Please Note: These hours may not be applicable in all instances (i.e., for students with disabilities, the IEP team determines the hours required in accordance with the student s educational needs.) 2
EXPECTATIONS OF HOMEBOUND COORDINATORS The individuals designated to coordinate homebound services are responsible for: Documenting the receipt of requests for homebound instruction Validating requests for homebound instruction or for students with IEPs, submitting such requests to the IEP team for determination of a change in placement Communicating the status of the request to appropriate school personnel Coordinating the overall provision of services in a timely manner Considering the possibility of available technology (i.e. online course) for the student to participate in certain classroom activities from home Verifying ongoing treatment and/or therapy and monitoring progress towards transition back to the school setting Facilitating the student s return to instruction in the classroom Completing the annual report Providing oversight of instruction Documenting that students who receive homebound services are included in Virginia s State Assessment program EXPECTATIONS OF HOMEBOUND TEACHERS Persons serving as homebound teachers shall: Maintain close contact with the student s teachers, counselor, or the program coordinator to receive and implement appropriate educational programs Use assignments and materials provided by the classroom teacher Maintain an accurate record of the hours of instruction provided for each assigned student and submit such information to the designated coordinator Submit the student s completed work to the designated school representative prior to the end of the grading period and maintain written documentation of work completed with the homebound records, or in cases where online instruction is used, provide a written record Document any instructional time that is interrupted because of the student not being available for the instruction period EXPECTATIONS OF HOME SCHOOL STAFF (School Counselor and Classroom Teacher) A student receiving homebound instruction is maintained on the class roll. The classroom teacher with the assistance of the counselor will: Provide the homebound teacher with appropriate instructional materials and information Be responsible for grading procedures in collaboration with the homebound teacher Maintain close contact with the homebound teacher or the program coordinator supervising online instruction to monitor the instructional progress of the student Collaborate with the homebound teacher about the curriculum and appropriate instructional strategies 3
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS/PARENTS/GUARDIANS The student and parent/guardian are expected to work cooperatively with the assigned homebound teacher and school personnel to comply with school division policies and procedures for: Notifying ACPS that homebound services may be needed, discussing the process for initiating services, and signing a release of information form so the school can share information with the physician about homebound services prior to the official request being made Obtaining the medical certification of need from the physician or licensed clinical psychologist requesting homebound services and providing parental signature in order to begin homebound instruction Having a responsible adult in the home during the entire period of instruction Providing adequate facilities for teaching (quiet room without interruptions, with a table, chairs and appropriate supplies) or provide transportation to another agreed upon facility Having the student ready for instruction at the time designated by the homebound teacher Supervising daily homework Notifying the teacher, prior to the scheduled visit, if there is a contagious illness in the home or if there is an emergency Keeping all appointments with the homebound teacher (excessively missed appointments may result in suspension of services for general education students and may relieve the school division from providing make-up services to students with disabilities) Making every effort to complete school assignments Advising the homebound teacher of any change in the student s status that would necessitate modification or termination of homebound services Notifying the school division coordinator of missed appointments or tardiness by the homebound teacher Following the health care provider treatment plan by keeping appointments, therapy sessions, and so forth. 4
HOMEBOUND TEACHER PROCEDURES When a request to serve as homebound teacher is received, the homebound teacher must respond with an accept/reject decision within one business day to the designated homebound coordinator (see contact information on page 2). If the homebound teacher does not respond within one business day, another homebound teacher will be requested. The homebound teacher shall contact the family within one business day of accepting the assignment. The homebound teacher must contact the designated coordinator if unable to contact the family. Homebound/home-based instruction shall begin within 5 days business days of receiving the initial request. Homebound teachers are required to submit their intended schedule for each homebound student within one week of being assigned a student. In the event that the homebound teacher is out sick or has an emergency, they shall notify the designated coordinator and parent/guardian. Any instruction missed due to these types of interruptions shall be made-up within a reasonable period of time. The homebound teacher shall contact the school prior to the initial meeting with the student for the purpose of obtaining the student s textbooks and other learning material. The homebound teacher should establish the amount/type of work requested for return to school personnel and the interval upon which the assignments should be returned. Homebound teachers are required to turn in student work to the school counselor at the agreed upon interval (i.e. weekly, quarterly, etc.) Grades shall be submitted a week prior to the end of the quarter. The homebound teacher should collaborate with school staff in reviewing/grading student work and assigning grades. If the homebound teacher terminates with a student before the end of a quarter, please submit the forms along with the termination report. Timesheets and mileage reports shall be submitted on the 1 st and the 15 th of each month. Late paperwork will be processed during the next payment period. Timesheets must be completed online and sent to the designated coordinator (see contact information on page 2) When the homebound teacher stops servicing a student a termination report, documentation log of instruction sessions, grade report and final timesheet shall be submitted. i VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES GUIDELINES, Virginia Department of Education Division of Special Education and Student Services Office of Student Services, February 2012 5