New Procedure 2370-P

Homebound instruction is a temporary service provided by the Coeur d’Alene School District. Homebound instruction may be initiated for any student when it is determined that a student is unable to attend school for more than ten (10) consecutive days because of health, physical impairment, injury, hospitalization, or other illness that prohibits school attendance. Homebound instruction is not intended to supplant school services and is, by design, temporary. It is not a remediation program and is not designed to provide students with time to make up previously missed assignments. The goal of homebound instruction is to keep the student up-to-date with classroom instruction. It is expected that the family and school staff will minimize academic work missed due to absences prior to the initiation of homebound services.

Procedure

In order for Coeur d'Alene Public Schools to provide homebound instruction for a student, the following steps must be completed:

• Parent or guardian must complete Parent Request for Homebound Instructional Services: 2370-F - Part 1.

• Licensed Healthcare Provider (LHP) must complete Medical Certification of Need for Homebound Instructional Services: 2370-F - Part 2. The following information is required: LHP name, office address, telephone number, date of examination, diagnosis, and the estimated number of weeks that homebound services will be needed.

• Parent or guardian submits completed Parts 1 and 2 to the school administrator or the student's school counselor.

• A school staff member must complete the School Request for Homebound Instructional Services: 2370-F - Part 3. The form must be signed by a school administrator.

  • The following information is required: the student’s schedule and teacher’s contact information.

• A school staff member will submit all forms to the Homebound Coordinator or a member of the Homebound Review Committee for approval.
  
  If the student is approved for homebound services by the Homebound Review Committee, a homebound teacher will be assigned and will make contact with the student’s family to schedule sessions. Missed Sessions Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
  
  Sessions may only be rescheduled due to illness or family emergencies. If possible, make-up for missed sessions must be completed within the same week the session is canceled. If at least 24 hours notice is not given, the session may not be rescheduled. More than three cancellations in nine weeks may result in the termination of homebound services. Sessions missed due to cancellation by the homebound teacher will be made up.

Return to School

Students must be released by a LHP in writing before returning to school for in-person instruction. The signed release must be submitted to the school and approved by the Homebound Review Committee prior to the student returning to school. School staff will work collaboratively with parents or guardians and medical and/or community resources to coordinate the appropriate plan for the student’s reintegration into school-based instruction, including any reasonable accommodations that will enhance the student’s ability to appropriately access the curriculum.

Responsibilities and Rights of the Student - The Student Rights and Responsibilities per Policy 3200 apply to all students regardless of venue.

• Homebound instruction is considered a school-sponsored activity.

• Students receiving homebound MAY NOT report to a place of employment within the timeframe specified in the Medical Certification of Need for Homebound Instruction- Part 2, or homebound services may be terminated.

• Students receiving homebound instruction MAY NOT be on school property or attend school-sponsored activities without the permission of the Homebound Review Committee and the school administration.

Responsibilities of the Parents/Guardians

• Schedule instruction with the homebound teacher. Whenever possible, parent or guardian requests will be considered, but not all requests can be accommodated.

• Ensure that all pets are confined prior to the arrival of the homebound teacher.

• Ensure that an adult (18 years of age or older) is in the home during the entire period of instruction. If an adult is not in the home at the time of instruction, the teacher will cancel the session. Even if a student is 18 years old and/or married, a third adult is still required in the home during the entire teaching time.

• Make sure the student is ready for instruction at the time designated by the homebound teacher.

• Provide an appropriate learning environment free of interruptions and with proper lighting and necessary equipment, such as a desk or table, pencils, paper, books, and other materials as needed.

• Supervise daily homework.

• Make every effort to see that the student completes school assignments.

• Review and initial the completed Homebound Instructional Services Summary (i.e., with date, time, and number of hours of instruction given) after each instructional session. The worksheet must be reviewed for accuracy and signed by the parent, guardian, or designated adult. Students may not initial the worksheet. Parents should not sign for sessions in advance.

• Notify the homebound teacher at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled session if the student is unavailable because of a contagious illness or an emergency.

• Request makeup instruction for sessions missed because of illness or family emergency.

• Contact the school counselor if concerns arise about instruction or grading.

• Participate in the student’s school reintegration process.

Compensation of the Homebound Teacher Travel Reimbursement

Homebound teachers are eligible for travel reimbursement for travel beyond their normal commute to or from their assignment. An In-District Mileage Claim Form must be submitted for reimbursement.

Coordination of Services

Each homebound teacher is allowed one hour per week to visit the school to coordinate plans and secure books and other materials. If additional coordination time is necessary, the homebound instructor must get approval from the Homebound Review Committee.

Instructional Sessions

Homebound teachers will only be compensated for the number of hours approved for each specific student. Additional time may be authorized by the Homebound Review Committee. Instructional sessions on unauthorized days will not be approved for payment. If a make-up session must be scheduled outside the same week as the session missed, it must be pre-approved by the Homebound Coordinator.

Examinations

Homebound teachers will be compensated for any additional time required to administer tests with pre-approval from the Homebound Coordinator and/or the Homebound Review Committee.

References:

3200 Student Rights and Responsibilities
3200-P Student Rights and Responsibilities
2370 Homebound Policy