NCAECIC Research Committee Report
On
Homebound Instruction Survey of Neighboring States
The
research committee has completed the following report to summarize
homebound instruction guidelines in our surrounding states. We would
like to hear from homebound teachers and other educators in NC in order
to make recommendations to DPI for improvements in homebound
instruction in NC.
This
September “09 the NCAECIC fall conference will include a session in
which we can come to a consensus as a group on best practices for our
state.
PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE FOLLOWING AND ASK COLLEAGUES TO THINK ABOUT AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING FOR HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION IN NC:
· Should NC have state guidelines or state laws for Homebound Instruction?
· Should guidelines or laws be district by district?
· What should be best practices for hours of instruction for students?
· How much time should students be expected to be out of school to be eligible for homebound instruction?
NCAECIC Research Committee Report
On
Homebound Instruction Survey of Neighboring States
School Year 07-08
Questions:
1. Are there state guidelines for your state for Homebound Instruction?
2. What are the guidelines for hours of instruction that students are entitled to receive?
3. How much time does a student have to be out of school to become eligible for homebound services?
4. Who teaches homebound students? Do you hire full time teachers, or do you contract with teachers as needed?
Responses:
Virginia Guidelines
State guidelines address hours of instruction:
5 hours per week for elementary students;
8 hours per week for middle school students;
5 hours per week per 2 subjects for high school; 10 hours per week for 3-4 subjects
No guidelines for length of absences to become eligible for homebound services.
South Carolina Guidelines
State guidelines address hours of instruction:
One hour for each day the student is absent.
No guidelines for length of absence/illness to become eligible for services.
Larger districts hire full time homebound teachers, smaller districts contract, as needed.
Louisiana Guidelines
State guidelines address:
Minimum of 4 hours of instruction per week for all grades and
Homebound services begin on the 11th day of absences.
Larger districts have full time teachers; smaller districts contract teachers, as needed.
Florida Guidelines
State guidelines require
Students expect to be absent for 15 days in order to be eligible for homebound services.
No guidelines for hours of instruction
Larger districts hire full time teachers; smaller districts contract as needed.
Alabama and
Texas have no state guidelines
Comments and recommendations from administrators:
· Each school should have written policies and procedures
· Each policy should state that Homebound Instruction is short term and not long term placement
· Each student should have a transition plan to return to school
· All
teachers need support and training in the area of mental health and how
to serve students with behavior issues in the schools. | 
