Homebound & Hospital Programs
Director: Janna Smith
Do you believe that your child may require Homebound services?
If so, please contact your child’s case manager or campus appraisal staff to begin the referral and consideration process.
PURPOSE:
Homebound/HospitalInstruction is designed to provide continuity of educational services between the classroom and the home/hospital setting for students whose medical needs prevent school attendance on a campus.
EXPLANATION OF SERVICES:
A special education certified teacher will provide instruction for students who qualify forHomebound/Hospital Instruction. Determination of services is based on individual student needs and decided via an ARD committee meeting.
ELIGIBILITY:
Students who are served through the Special Education Homebound/ Hospital Program must meet all of the following four criteria:
- The student’s eligibility for special education and related services as determined by the ARD Committee.
- The student’s condition must be medical only.
- The student’s medical condition must be documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States.
- The student must be confined either at home or in a hospital for a minimum of four weeks. The weeks may or may not be consecutive. Hospitals must be located within NEISD boundaries.
Consistent with state rule and the Texas Student Attendance Accounting Handbook, a student receiving special education services may be eligible for special education homebound services if the student is to be confined for a minimum of four weeks to a hospital or homebound setting for medical reasons specifically documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. If a student is chronically ill, the student’s admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee shall determine whether the weeks of confinement need to beconsecutive.If theARDcommittee determines that homebound instruction is appropriate, the committee shall determine the type and amount of instruction to be provided in accordance with law, and, if applicable, the length of the transition period to the school- based setting based on current medical information. (Board Policy EEH LOCAL)
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Since homebound instruction is an extension of regular school instruction, all campus rules,regulations and NEISD policies and procedures apply and must be followed.
- An adult, 18 or older, must be present in the home during Homebound instruc-tion. This pertains to all students, even those who are 18 themselves.
- Parent/guardian should ensure a healthy, safe, smoke-free environment for both teacher and student. Large or aggressive pets should be contained during instruction.
- Parent/guardian will ensure that the student is available for scheduled sessions.
- Parent/guardian will notify the Homebound teacher by 8:00 AM (or as early as possible) if the student is unable to participate in instruction (absent).
- Student absences will not be made up. If the session is cancelled due to teacher absence, the session will be made up.
- Parent/guardian will provide a parent or doctor note for all absences, or the absence will be considered “unexcused”. State Compulsory Attendance Laws apply to Homebound students.
- Students are expected to complete schoolwork between sessions. Homebound may consist primarily of independent study.
- Student should be prepared for instructional sessions, including having all books and materials readily accessible.
- Student behavior will include cooperation with instructional staff and respectful communication.
- Students receivingHomebound Services may not attend or participate in extracurricular, co-curricular, or school related social events.
IMPORTANT: The student’s campus will remain responsible for planning and tracking student learning, including determination of successful demonstration of TEKS acquisition in order to determine award of credit or grade promotion.