4327 Home Bound Instruction

Overview

Homebound instruction is a service provided to students who are unable to participate in their usual educational setting, at home or in a hospital or other institution for the treatment of children (other than a school), due to temporary or chronic illness or injury for physical, mental, or emotional reasons. Homebound instruction is provided to students anticipated to be unable to attend school in person for at least ten days during a three-month period, as documented by the student’s treating healthcare provider (who is licensed or authorized to provide diagnosis under Title 8 of the Education Law). Homebound instruction is also provided to students suspended from school pursuant to Education Law §3214.

In order to receive homebound instruction in a home setting, an adult (parent/caregiver) over the age of 21 must be present.

Request and Approval Process

Parents or guardians must submit a request for homebound instruction to their child’s school. The school will forward the request to the Medical Director on behalf of the parent or guardian for review and approval.

· Written medical verification from the student’s treating healthcare provider, who is licensed or authorized by the state to provide diagnosis.

· Consent for the Medical Director or designee to contact the healthcare provider for further information, if needed.

The Medical Director will review the request and may contact the treating healthcare provider for additional details. The Medical Director will notify the parent or guardian of the District’s approval or denial within five school days after receiving the written medical verification. If denied, the parent may appeal to the Board of Education within ten school days of the denial notification. If approved, or if the request is denied and an appeal is pending before the Board of Education, the District will provide instructional services within five school days after receiving the request. For virtual instruction for students with medical homebound needs, review and approval by the Medical Director, Coordinator of Health, Psychological and Social Work Services, and/or Coordinator of Guidance is required.

Mode of Delivery

Home teaching will primarily be provided in person. All home teaching will be offered to Brentwood Teachers Association (BTA) members first, prior to seeking external agencies. Virtual home teaching may be provided for students with medical home teaching needs only if approved by the Medical Director, Coordinator of Health, Psychological and Social Work Services, or Coordinator of Guidance.

Instructional Hours and Scheduling

Secondary students receiving homebound instruction will receive at least fifteen hours of instruction per week, for at least three hours per day if possible. Elementary students will receive at least ten hours per week, for at least two hour per day if possible.

Higher minimum hours may be reduced at the parent or guardian’s request, supported by medical documentation from the treating healthcare provider, but may not be lower than the minimum hours outlined. Any reductions must be documented in the instructional delivery plan, and the plan will be reviewed monthly to assess if the hours can be increased.

Home teaching should be scheduled only on days when the District is in session. Instruction should not be provided during school holidays, vacations, or weekends. Make-up sessions are permitted only if the home teacher cancels or misses a session; make-ups are not allowed for student absences or no-shows. Requests for any scheduling modifications must be directed to the student’s assigned school and forwarded to the Coordinator of Health, Psychology and Social Work, and/or the Coordinator of Guidance for review.

Instructional Delivery Plan

Once approved, the District will develop a written instructional delivery plan that includes input from the parent or guardian, and if appropriate, the student. The plan will outline:

· The number of instructional hours per week and per day.

· The method of instruction delivery (in-person or virtual, as approved).

· The location of services.

· An explanation of how the services will help the student maintain academic progress.

The District will review and update this plan as needed, based on the student’s health status and educational requirements. Records will be maintained for each session, including the date, duration, type of instruction, instructor’s name, subjects covered, and location of services.

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may request home, hospital, or institutional instruction as outlined above. For a student with a disability to receive programs or services outlined in their IEP in a home or hospital setting, the Committee on Special Education (CSE) must meet to determine if the student’s educational placement should be “home and hospital” as described in 8 NYCRR §§200.1 and 200.6. Once approved, the CSE will determine the special education programs and services required in the home or hospital setting, which will be specified in the student’s IEP. Related services provided in this setting are in addition to the minimum instructional hours.

Students Instructed Out of School Due to Suspension

When a student of any age is removed from class by a teacher or a student of compulsory attendance age is suspended from school pursuant to Education Law §3214, the District will take immediate steps to provide alternative means of instruction for the student. The Board of Education expects students, administrators, teachers, and parents to make every effort to maintain student academic progress in the event of removal or suspension, and support student re-entry to the classroom at the conclusion of the disciplinary action. Homebound instructors will be used, to meet instructional needs. Suspended students of compulsory education age must receive at least the same minimum hours required for homebound instruction, with instruction designed to be substantially equivalent to that received in the regular classroom.

Ongoing Evaluation and Transition Support

Homebound instruction will aim to keep students on pace to rejoin their class and maintain academic progress. The Board acknowledges that students who are out of school for extended periods are at risk of falling behind and losing connection with the school community. The District will periodically evaluate homebound instruction effectiveness and, if necessary, adjust instructional methods or implement additional supports to assist students’ transition back to school.

Communication Protocol

All communication regarding home teaching schedules and any scheduling modifications should be directed to the student’s school and will be forwarded to Coordinator of Health, Psychological and Social Work Services, and/or the Coordinator of Guidance for review. This includes any requests for schedule changes or additional approvals related to mode of delivery or instructional hours.

Cross-ref: 5300.45, Code of Conduct

Ref: New York Education Law § 3214, Student Placement, Suspensions, and Transfers

Education Law §§1709(24); 4401 et seq.

8 NYCRR §§100.1(u); 100.22; 175.21; 200.1; 200.6

Appeal of Camille S. 39 EDR 574 (Dec. No. 14,316) (2000)

Formal Opinion of Counsel No. 243, Office of Counsel, NYSED, https://www.counsel.nysed.gov/sites/counsel/files/243.pdf (10/3/23)

Home, Hospital, or Institutional Instruction Frequently Asked Questions, NYSED (Jan. 2023), https://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/ssae/AltEd/documents/home-hospital-or-institutional-instruction-faqs.pdf

Adopted by the Board of Education: 03/20/25

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