Homebound instruction provides the services of a certified teacher to those students whose medical needs (physical or psychiatric) preclude regular school attendance for an extended period of time, usually greater than two weeks. The intent is to provide a continuity of educational services. Homebound service is of a temporary nature, with the realization that instruction is best received in a regular school setting.
GOALS:
The goals for homebound instruction are to provide some continuity of instruction and to facilitate the student's return to a regular school setting as expeditiously as possible. A prepared plan for returning the student to a regular school setting should be part of the homebound process.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:
- Students eligible for homebound services must currently be enrolled in a Sullivan County school.
- A licensed medical physician or clinical psychologist must certify that a student will miss two weeks of school due to a medical reason. A nurse practitioner cannot certify that a student needs a homebound placement. (See Tennessee Rule 0520-01-09-.07(2) (b) for special education.)
- Recommendation of the school administration.
- All of the proper homebound forms must be completed entirely before a student will be considered for homebound instruction.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The student must be enrolled in a Sullivan County school to qualify for instruction, and the instruction must occur in the Sullivan County Schools locality.
- Agrees with the need for homebound services: will provide a home environment conducive to learning and free of illicit, illegal behavior; and will sign parent contract.
- Ensures that a responsible adult (age 21 or older) will be in the home during the periods/times of homebound instruction and that the responsible adult, if not a parent or guardian, is acceptable to the homebound teacher.
- Agrees to keep all instructional appointments; in case of an emergency, agrees to contact the homebound teacher to cancel the appointment.
- Understands that missed appointments may result in the student's inability to earn grades or credit and may result in termination of services.
- Signs a timesheet with a record of the days and times the homebound teacher works with the student.
- Obtains a detailed letter from the health care provider if an extension of homebound is requested.
- Understands that policies and procedures outlined in the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook are in effect for homebound students. Failure to comply with Sullivan County Schools' policies and procedures may cause a cessation of services.
- Realizes that instruction usually takes place in the home, but when circumstances warrant, instruction may occur online or at an alternative instruction site.
- Realizes that transportation to and from an alternative instruction site is the responsibility of the parent/guardian
- Realizes that students receiving services may not participate in school-based extra-curricular activities and/or volunteer assignments without prior approval.
- Understands that a student receiving homebound services is also not able to maintain employment while homebound. A student working while receiving homebound services will be removed from the program immediately. Services will not be reinstated without review from the homebound supervisor and the superintendent of schools.
- Understands that homebound paperwork should be turned in as soon as possible and that only 10 days of assignments may be recovered from the time the school receives the homebound paperwork.
- Realizes that instruction cannot begin until all necessary paperwork is on file.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The student realizes homebound instruction is an extension of school, and all classroom rules and regulations, as well as school division policies, apply. In addition, the student must:
- Be available for scheduled instruction.
- Be dressed appropriately.
- Have all books and materials needed for instruction.
- Complete homework assignments.
- Remain courteous, comply with teacher requests, and use appropriate language.
- Dedicate instructional time for instruction only (no phone calls, texting, visiting, radio, or television).
- Have a quiet area suitable for instructional purposes and free of distractions.
- Inform the homebound instructors as early as possible of future medical appointments if such appointments interfere with instructional time.
- Understand that all academic requests and questions must go through the homebound instructor.
- Keep the learning environment smoke-free.
- Understand that he/she may not participate in extra-curricular activities, volunteer, or work while receiving homebound services.
WORK COVERED BY HOMEBOUND SERVICES:
Although homebound instruction attempts to cover the core academic subjects, it is difficult for teachers to instruct in the Advanced Placement subject areas, higher level math, science, foreign languages, and possibly some Career Technical Education classes. Coverage of these subject areas is dependent upon adequate facilities and equipment.
Parents and students must realize that homebound teachers cannot be skilled in all areas. Flexibility and willingness to ask friends and classmates to take class notes may be necessary. Teachers are encouraged to send home more information about daily work (i.e., examples put on board) and work not included in the text.
All students will receive three hours of instruction weekly in the subjects in which they are enrolled, with materials provided by their classroom teacher.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Since a student must be enrolled in a Sullivan County school in order to receive homebound services, that student must remain on the school's role during the period of homebound instruction and will not be counted absent as long as the parents and student meet their responsibilities.
The administration of the school will notify the attendance clerk at the student's home school of a student's placement on the active homebound roster. The notification will include beginning and ending dates for the homebound instruction.
Regular education students requiring homebound services longer than six weeks must complete an extension (including the appropriate medical personnel signatures) at the end of each six-week period. Failure to obtain the extension could result in the termination of homebound services.
At the termination of homebound, the homebound teacher will notify the school of the date services ended and the date the student is expected to return to school. Any gap between these two dates should represent a weekend or non-instructional day (e.g., holiday, in-service day). If the student does not return to school the next school day after termination, that student will be counted absent by the school.
The parent/guardian of the homebound student must realize that failure to attend homebound instruction sessions may result in termination of services, and the student will be required to return to school or be counted absent by the school.
Homebound Instruction Request
Homebound Instruction Extension Request
