ROUND ROCK ISD
SPECIAL EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT
HOMEBOUND MANUAL
Revised 2/2014
Guidelines for Special Education Homebound Entry and Dismissal
Special Education Homebound Overview
Guidelines for Hospital/Homebound Program Entry and Dismissal
Physician’s Admission Letter
Notice for Consent/Release Form...... 10
Homebound Dismissal Checklist
Physician’s Permission to Return to School...... 13
TEA State Attendance Handbook Provision for Special Education Homebound
Teacher Procedures
Homebound Teacher Procedures
Parent Information
Information for Parents and the Homebound Student
Parent Survey for Students Served in the Homebound Program
Attendance
Instructions for Recording Attendance on Special Education Homebound Students
Admission Letter for Campus Attendance Clerks
Dismissal Letter for Campus Attendance Clerks
Homebound Attendance Report...... 31
Letters to Teachers, Reference, Instruction
Notification to Teacher of Student’s Homebound Placement
Notification to Teacher of Student’s Homebound Dismissal
Notification to Teacher of Intermittent Homebound Student...... 35
Homebound Weekly Assignment Sheet (optional)...... 36
Request for Assignments, Tests, etc. (optional)
General Data Collection Forms
List of current Students’ Information...... 39
Parent Contact Record
Extra Help Forms
RRISD Employee
Non-District Personnel
PRS/SpED HB Excerpts from State Attendance Accounting Handbook
Pregnancy Related Services and Special Education Services...... 44
Pregnancy Services Determination Chart...... 46
Guidelines for Special Education Homebound Entry and Dismissal
Special Education Homebound Overview
Homebound instruction is provided for special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities who are served at home. For students who are in general education and have temporary medical conditions, (such as broken legs, medication adjustments, etc.,) consideration for accommodations should be made under General Education Homebound. (GEH).
If a student is a general education student and the school receives a request for Homebound Services, the GEH Committee should meet to consider the student for General Education Homebound and to determine what services are appropriate while the student is at home (i.e., assignments sent home and returned to be graded by general education teacher, access to a homework helpline, etc.)
If the student is eligible under IDEA and is receiving special education and related services, the ARD Committee should convene to discuss whether the student meets the eligibility criteria for homebound services, whether a change of placement is needed, and what services are appropriate for the student to receive if homebound is recommended.
To be placed in the special education homebound instructional arrangement/setting, a student aged 6 years or older must meet the following four criteria:
- The student is eligible for special education and related services as determined by an ARD committee.
- The student is expected to be confined at home or hospital bedside for a minimum of
4 weeks (the weeks need not be consecutive). - The student is confined at home or hospital bedside for medical reasons only.
- The student's medical condition is documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States.
If the campus receives a Homebound Needs Assessment form from a physician recommending homebound services for a student with mental health impairment, the ARD Committee or the BRC should consider a referral for psychological evaluation. Staff can consider appropriate services available on the campus to be provided under GEH while the evaluation is in process. Once complete, the ARD Committee should be convened to determine whether or not the student meets eligibility criteria for Emotionally Disturbed and, if so, the appropriate educational services available in the district to meet the student’s educational needs.
Infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 may be placed in the homebound instructional arrangement/setting if their IFSP committees determine that placement is appropriate. Students aged 3 through 5 years may be placed in the homebound instructional arrangement/setting if their ARD committees determine that placement is appropriate.
Students served on a homebound or hospital basis are expected to be confined for a minimum of four consecutive weeks as documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. Homebound or hospital instruction may also be provided to students with chronic illness or to students with recurring chronic or acute health conditions who are expected to be confined for any period of time totaling at least four weeks throughout the school yearas documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. The ARD Committee shall determine the amount of services to be provided to the student in this instructional arrangement/setting in accordance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations. The amount of service cannot be arbitrarily limited to 4 hours a week as it relates to current attendance accounting and funding rules.
Students are coded 01 during the time they are receiving homebound services. If a student who previously has been served in the homebound instructional setting is transitioning back to a school based placement, the student may continue to be coded homebound during the transition period, subject to the two-four hour per week requirement for homebound services. The length of the transition period must be determined by the ARD committee.
Students are coded 02 during the time they are confined to a hospital that is within the boundaries of Round Rock ISD. Standard attendance accounting rules apply for recording absences for students in the hospital class instructional arrangement/setting.
Students who are eligible for special education and related services who also receive Pregnancy Related Services (PRS) must be served collaboratively through both programs. (See section 8 miscellaneous)
In order for a homebound or hospital bedside student to earn career and technology contact hours, the student must continue to receive the same amount and type of career and technology service that he or she was receiving before being placed in the homebound instructional setting. Career and technology education teachers must maintain a log to verify all contact hours with homebound/hospital bedside students.
Students served in the homebound instructional/setting must be served two to four hours each week in order to generate eligible days present. Homebound or hospital bedside instruction may also be provided to chronically ill students who are expected to be confined for any period of time totaling four weeks throughout the school year, as documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. Chronically ill students should only be coded with the 01 instructional arrangement/setting code on the days the student is absent from school but counted present because the student received homebound services. Students with a reoccurring condition generally do not require a transition period.
In order to document the changing instructional arrangements/setting for students with a recurring condition for attendance reporting purposes, it is recommended that attendance clerks accumulate the attendance information for the entire six-week reporting period and summarize the information for the eligible days of attendance and contact hours served. The eligible days present should be recorded in the district’s student attendance accounting system. Any time not accounted for should be reported as absences.
At the end of each week the homebound teacher will inform the attendance clerk the amount of time the homebound student received services from the certified special education teacher and the number of absences that should be recorded in the attendance accounting system.
A student cannot be expelled into the homebound instructional arrangement/setting.
Amount of TimeServed per Week / Eligible Days Present
Earned per Week
1 hour / 1 day present
2 hours / 2 days present
3 hours / 3 days present
4 hours / 4 days present (if the week is a 4-day week)
5 days present (if the week is a 5-day week)
More than 4 hours / 4 days present (if the week is a 4-day week)
5 days present (if the week is a 5-day week)
Teacher absences: The RRISD will ensure that a substitute teacher or make-up classes are provided to homebound students when homebound teachers are absent.
Student absences: Classes missed due to student inability to receive homebound instruction will not be rescheduled; however, other provisions for “making-up” work will be offered when possible in order to minimize the lapse in provision of services.
Prior to the ARD: The assessment staff will send a Consent for Confidential Information to parent. Once Consent is received, assessment staff will send the Homebound Needs Assessment to the student’s physician and gathersinformation from school records, parents, and the student’s FIE in order to determine the student’s current functioning level, and educational needs. In making eligibility and placement decisions, the ARD committee must consider the licensed physician’s information. However, the licensed physician’s information should not be the sole consideration in the committee’s decision-making process. Students who are on homebound continuously will need the Homebound Needs Assessment updated annually. The end date on the Homebound Needs Assessment form should be no later than the next annual ARD due date
After the ARD committee determines the need for homebound services:
The lead homebound teacher assigns a homebound teacher to provide homebound services. The homebound teacher will comply with requirements noted in the Homebound Manual.
Dismissal requirements:
There must be an ARD at the end of the homebound request period to either:
1. Dismiss the student or
2. To continue services.
If the student is to return to school before the date stated on the Homebound Needs Assessment, the doctor can submit a letter directly or Physician’s Dismissal form can be completed by the doctor who requested homebound.
If services are to continue past the end date specified on the Homebound Needs Assessment, the ARD committee must review a new statement or request from the doctor.
ROUND ROCKINDEPENDENTSCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Guidelines for Hospital/Homebound Program Entry and Dismissal
Entry Requirements
To qualify for homebound/hospital service the student must meet eligibility requirements as documented in the current Student Attendance Accounting Handbook (SAAH).
A homebound referral does not automatically mean that the ARD committee will recommend homebound services. In making eligibility and placement decisions the ARD committee must consider the Physician’s Information Report; however, the physician’s report is not the sole determining factor in the ARD committee’s decision making process. The school needs to make appropriate efforts to accommodate the student at school depending, upon the student’s medical need and doctor’s information. The school nurse should also be consulted.
Parents need to know that an ARD committee cannot consider homebound services until the Homebound Needs Assessment forms is completed and returned to the campus assessment person.
Parents/students should continue picking up all assignments and remain current with all the work pending a determination of eligibility for Special Education Homebound Services.
Electives in Career and Technology are not usually taught through the homebound program.
When the student’s placement is determined to be, homebound, the homebound teacher’s responsibilities during the ARD include:
1. Provide input for necessary accommodations.
2. Review IEP Goals with case manager
3. Give the parent’s a copy of the parent information sheet and discusses relevant information.
4. Verify parents’ telephone number.
5. Make arrangement with parents to discuss schedule and to verify address anddirections.
6. Explain the instruction days, times and assignments with the parent.
7. Share the following information regarding students who will be served on an intermittent basis:
As per the doctor’s request services will be made available to ______(student). ______(Student’s) medical condition allows him/her to attend school periodically. In order to assure the least restrictive environment, he/she will be maintained in the regularly assigned classroom(s). The homebound teacher will monitor the student’s attendance and provide services when absence is related to the homebound diagnosis.
When absences are related to the medical diagnosis, homebound services will be offered as per the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook. The homebound teacher will notify the attendance clerk of student absences at the end of each week.
Homebound Responsibilities after the Placement ARD Meeting
See Homebound Teacher Procedure Sheet
Dismissal Requirements
1. There must be an ARD at the end of the homebound request period to either:
a. Dismiss the student at the end of the projected time; or
b. To continue the services. In this case, the ARD Committee must review a new statement from the physician.
If dismissal occurs, the homebound teacher will:
1. Complete the dismissal checklist and send dismissal documentation to the lead homebound
teacher;
2. Maintain student folder;
3. Send a form letter to attendance clerk that the student has been dismissed;
4. Turn in all completed work and borrowed materials.
Parent survey input forms will be given to the parent after the student has been receiving homebound services for at least three weeks. This survey will provide data regarding opportunities for improvement in Homebound Services and in other services provided to students. Parent may return completed survey to Homebound Staff in sealed envelope.
Physician’s Admission Letter
ROUND ROCKINDEPENDENTSCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
HOMEBOUND SERVICES
Date: ______
Re: Homebound/ Hospital Eligibility Requirements
Student______
Campus______
Dear Physician;
The above student has been reported to have a medical condition or illness, which could prohibit his/her attendance at school. In order for a student to be considered for the Homebound/Hospital Program, a physician must complete the Homebound Needs Assessment. The projected time that the student will be absent from school must be a minimum of four weeks from the date of completing this form.
Homebound is a very restricted special education placement with limited home instruction. A homebound teacher will typically teach the student for only four (4) hours per week. For obvious reasons, many opportunities provided at school are eliminated from the student’s program (i.e., lab work, foreign languages, extra curricular activities, art, music, and other electives). In addition, opportunities for social development are minimized.
The ARD committee would recommend homebound services only when no other program alternative will meet the needs of the student.
Respectfully,
______
Special Education Staff
Consent for Disclosure of Confidential Information
Date Sent:Student: / ID#:
School: / Grade: / Birthdate:
REQUESTER
Name: / Address:
Position:
Telephone #: / Fax #:
REQUESTED FROM
Name: / Address:
Position:
Telephone #: / Fax #:
We are asking that you authorize the person/agency named above to release/to request specific records containing confidential information regarding the above-named student. Authorization includes verbal communication.
Type of Information Requested / This Information is needed for
Medical data and reports including psychiatric data / Immediate special education placement
Health History / Verification of student’s disability conditions(s)
Audiologist or Otologist reports / General Planning of the student’s educational program
Ophthamologist or Optometrist reports / Assistance in understanding complex behaviors and needs
Social and developmental history / Vocational/transitional planning
Full and Individual Evaluation including Disability Report / Other:
General Education records (including state assessment information)
Individualized Educational Plan/ARD document(s)
Occupational or Physical Therapy records
Information pertaining to vocational programs
Other:
Yes / No / I have been fully informed and understand the school’s request for my consent, as described above. This information will be released/requested upon receipt of my written consent.
Yes / No / I understand that my consent is voluntary and may be revoked anytime.
Your rights were explained to you when your child was initially referred for special education evaluation. Federal regulations (IDEA2004) require that parents and adult students be provided a full explanation of the Notice of Procedural Safeguards: Rights of Studentswith Disabilities in their native language or other mode of communication one time a year, including upon initial referral to specialeducation; Notice of Full and Individual Evaluation, Initial & Re-evaluation; receipt for due process hearing; and parent request.§300.504(i)(2)A student's current and previous school districts are not required to obtain parental consent before requesting or sending a student'sspecial education records if the disclosure is conducted in accordance with 34 CFR §99.31(a)(2) and 99.34. The school district inwhich the student was previously enrolled shall furnish the new school district with a copy of the student's records, including thechild's special education records not later than the 30th calendar day after the student was enrolled in the new school district.
EXCEPTION to FERPA 20 USC§ 1232g for Private School students: If a child is enrolled, or is going to enroll in a private schoolthat is not located in the LEA of the parent's residence, parental consent must be obtained before any personally identifiableinformation about the student is released between officials in the LEA where the private school is located and officials in the LEA ofthe parent's residence.
Signature of parent, guardian, surrogate parent or adult student: / Date:Signature of parent, guardian, surrogate parent or adult student: / Date:
Signature of interpreter (if used): / Date:
Disclosure good for one (1) year from the date signed
ROUND ROCKINDEPENDENTSCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Homebound Dismissal Checklist
A dismissal ARD must be held on or before the date stated on the Homebound Needs Assessment.
For ARD:
_____If the student is dismissed prior to the date on the Homebound Needs Assessment Form, a Physician’s Dismissal form (or documentation from the physician’s office) must be signed and submittedby the physician who requested homebound.