Comal ISD

Homebound Services
Program Overview
Homebound Services

Students are expected to attend school to the fullest extend possible, but Homebound Services may be provided
to students who have a medical condition preventing them from participating in on-campus classroom
instruction. Homebound instruction is designed to provide continuity of education services between classrooms
and homes or health care facilities for students whose medical needs, physical or psychiatric, do not permit for
school attendance. Additionally, homebound instruction may be used to supplement the classroom program for
children with health impairments whose condition may interfere with regular school attendance. Homebound
services are available to all qualifying students enrolled in Comal ISD. Homebound instruction is temporary.
While no specific number of days can be set due to the many complex variations among children, the
“temporary” requirement is based on the premise that instruction should take place in the school setting to the
fullest extend possible. The inability to attend school for medical reasons, both physical and psychiatric, must
be certified by a licensed physician or licensed clinical psychologist.

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General Education Homebound Guidelines

Eligibility
To qualify for homebound services a student must need to be confined for a minimum of four weeks
to a hospital or homebound for medical reasons specifically documented by a physician licensed to
practice in the U.S. If appropriate, every attempt should be made to accommodate and serve the
student on campus when practically possible. The parent/guardian should continue picking up all
assignments and should remain current with all class work pending a determination of eligibility for
homebound services.

Referral Process
The parent/guardian should make the request for homebound service through the school principal.

Each campus administrator or designee will ensure the following:

1. The parent/guardian signs consent for Release of Confidential Information
2. The campus administrator or designee will provide physician with the Homebound Needs
Assessment form to be completed and returned to the campus designee.
3. Once form is returned, a Section 504 meeting should be held to determine need for
homebound services.

General Education Homebound Committee Meeting

The principal or designee shall convene a 504 placement committee meeting composed of at least a
campus administrator, a teacher of the student, and the homebound teacher (when possible) to
consider the necessity of providing general education homebound instruction to the student. If the
committee determines that such instruction is appropriate, the committee shall determine the type
and amount of instruction to be provided and, when the student is able to return to the regular
educational setting, the length of the transition period based on current medical information.

More specifically, the General Education Homebound Committee is responsible for the following:

 Determining whether there is a medical need for providing homebound services evidenced by
the Homebound Needs Assessment. If the Homebound Needs Assessment is not completely
filled out and signed by the student’s physician, the GEH Committee must adjourn and
reconvene once the form is complete.
 Determining how long the student will be out of the traditional classroom setting (minimum of
four weeks). The committee should meet again to re-evaluate a NEW physician’s form and the
need for HB services after physician’s indicated end time for services.
 Determining the subject areas that will be covered through homebound services.
 Ensuring that each teacher whose content will be taught through homebound completes and
provides weekly lessons and all materials needed for lessons.
 Review and ensure that teachers of record (classroom teachers) understand assignments,
testing and grading responsibilities.
 Determining how much homebound services (consideration of the student’s health and current
ability) is required each week (in hours).
 Determining the procedure for the homebound teacher to contact the regular education
teacher(s).
 Coordinate with parent/guardian to ensure that there will be a responsible adult at home at all
times services are to be provided.

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  Ensuring the student’s return to the classroom as soon as practical. Homebound instruction is
usually considered a temporary arrangement and cannot be considered as equivalent to
classroom instruction.
 Ensuring that all documentation is properly completed and maintained.

Dismissal of Homebound Services

 No homebound instruction may occur after the dismissal date.

 The campus administrator or designee will notify the teacher(s) and the campus attendance clerk
when the student has been dismissed and will return to the regular classroom setting. (see
Homebound Service Dismissal Notification form).
 Homebound instruction is usually considered a temporary arrangement and cannot be considered
as equivalent to classroom instruction. It is imperative that students return to the classroom as
soon as practical. This is usually dictated by the student’s physician.
 General Education Homebound concludes on the date indicated by the physician or at the end of
the school year, whichever comes first.

Special Education Homebound Guidelines

Eligibility
To qualify for homebound services, a student to be confined for a minimum of four weeks to a
hospital or homebound for medical reasons specifically documented by a physician licensed to
practice in the U.S. and meet eligibility requirements as documented in the current Student
Attendance Accounting Handbook. If appropriate, every attempt should be made to accommodate
and serve the student on campus when practically possible. The parent/guardian should continue
picking up all assignments and should remain current with all class work pending a determination of
eligibility for homebound services.

Referral Process
The parent/guardian should make the request for homebound services through the school principal. A
homebound request does not automatically mean that the ARD committee will recommend
homebound services. In making eligibility and placement decisions the IEP/ARD committee must
consider the Homebound Needs Assessment, however, the Homebound Needs Assessment is not
the sole determining factor in the IEP/ARD Committee’s decision-making process. The school must
try to make appropriate efforts to accommodate the student at school depending on the student’s
medical need and physician’s information. The school nurse should also be consulted.
Parents/guardians should know that an IEP/ARD Committee cannot consider homebound services
until all necessary forms are completed and returned to the campus assessment person.

300.114 Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) Requirements:

(2) each public agency must ensure that –
(i) to the maximum extend appropriate, children with disabilities, including children in public or private
institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who are nondisabled; and

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(ii) special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular
educational environment occurs only if the nature of severity or the disability is such that education in
regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

** Homebound is the most restrictive educational placement for students. Documentation should support all efforts made
to accommodate and support the student with non-disabled peers and in the regular educational environment.

ARD Committee Meeting

For students already in special education who require homebound services, the special education
assessment staff gathers information from school records, parent/guardian, and the student's FIE
(Full Individual Evaluation) in order to determine the student's current functioning level and
educational needs. The IEP/ARD committee reviews written input from the student's physician on the
Homebound Needs Assessment form and determines if homebound services are appropriate.
Homebound teachers should be invited to the IEP/ARD Committee meeting, homebound teachers will
attend the meeting when possible.

Staff Obligations to Special Education Homebound Students

 Campus administrator or designee is responsible for notifying the attendance clerk on the
student's home campus that the student will be receiving homebound services and should no
longer be counted absent. (see Homebound Services Attendance Notification form)
 Campus staff should ensure that a box for homebound teacher(s) is in the student's campus
mailroom.
 Campus administrator or designee will notify the assigned classroom teacher(s) of the
student's placement.
 IEP/ARD committee should confirm that the student has textbooks and supplies at home, if
not, make arrangements for books to be checked out in the student's name.
 Homebound teacher is responsible for the pick-up and delivery of assignments from the
campus teachers.
 Homebound teacher will provide instruction in the homebound setting for the time determined
by the IEP/ARD committee.
 Homebound teacher will keep a log of all contact hours.
 Homebound teacher will return completed assignments to the appropriate teacher's box.
 Homebound teacher will keep a log of assignments completed and turned in.
 Homebound teacher will file a weekly attendance log with the student's home campus
attendance clerk.
 When visiting a campus, the homebound teacher should sign in and out.

Dismissal of Homebound Services

There must be an IEP/ARD Committee meeting at the end of the homebound request period to either:
 Dismiss the student at the end of the projected time; or
 To continue the services. In this case, the ARD Committee must review a new Homebound
Needs Assessment completed by the physician

If the student is to return to school before the date stated in the Homebound Needs Assessment form,
a new form will need to be completed by the physician releasing the student to return to school.

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Members Responsibility

General Education Teacher

 The general education teacher will ensure that books have been issued to the student within
the first week of homebound services starting.
 The general education teacher will provide the homebound teacher with access to all internet-
based programs utilized in the classroom (i.e. Google Classroom)
 The general education teacher will provide all classroom assignments and materials needed
for instruction (i.e. manipulatives, materials, books, laminates, etc). Materials should be placed
in the campus homebound mail box or designated area by Fridays no later than 9am.
 The general education teacher is responsible for grading all assignments.
 The general education teacher will collaborate with the homebound teacher to allow ample
time for completing Universal Screeners, Common Assessments, major tests and exams.

Special Education Teacher/Case Manager

 The special education teacher will provide the homebound teacher with access to all internet-
based programs utilized in the classroom (i.e. Google Classroom, Lexia, Vizzle, etc)
 The special education teacher will provide all classroom assignments and materials needed for
instruction (i.e. manipulatives, materials, books, laminates, etc). Materials should be placed in
the campus homebound mail box or designated area by Fridays no later than 9am.
 The special education teacher will collaborate with the homebound teacher to accommodate
and/or modify materials/assignments, as needed.
 The special education teacher will provide all materials needed for IEP goal implementation.
 The special education teacher is responsible for grading all assignments.
 The special education teacher will collaborate with the homebound teacher to allow ample time
for completing Universal Screeners, Common Assessments, major tests and exams.

Homebound Teacher
 The homebound teacher will contact the parent/guardian to establish the first home visit.
During the first home visit, the homebound teacher will explain and complete the Student and
Parent/Guardian Agreement and have it signed by the parent/guardian and/or student.
 The special education teacher will collaborate with the homebound teacher to accommodate
and/or modify materials/assignments, as needed.
 The homebound teacher will provide appropriate instruction of new concepts and assistance
for students to complete assignments using materials and assignments provided by the
classroom teacher of record.
 The homebound teacher will return all materials and assignments to classroom teacher or
designated location.
 The homebound teacher will provide the campus registrar a weekly log of student’s
attendance.
 When a student is cleared to attend school, the homebound teacher will notify the case
manager to schedule an ARD Committee meeting.

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Campus Registrar

 The registrar will maintain record of student attendance from the attendance log provided by
the homebound teacher.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance Requirements for General Education Homebound Students

 The student will remain enrolled on the campus attendance roster for the duration of the
homebound services.
 Attendance will be awarded following the guidelines of the current year’s Student Attendance
Accounting Handbook.
 The campus administrator or designee will notify the campus Registrar, when a student begins
homebound services. (see Homebound Services Attendance Notification letter)
 The campus administrator or designee will notify the campus teachers when the student
begins homebound services. (see Homebound Services Teacher Notification letter)
 The homebound teacher will complete the Homebound Service Instruction Log form and
submit to the campus registrar each week. A copy will be maintained in the Department of
Special Education office at Support Services.
 The Homebound Instruction Log will reflect the school calendar week by week so that available
instructional days are easily identifiable.
 Total weekly instructional time and total weekly days in attendance are summarized at the end
of each instructional week.
 If absences are reported for any given day, a notation as to the reason should be made in the
Notes/Other section of the log.
 While parents/guardians are asked to arrange medical appointments around the homebound
teacher’s schedule, absences are often incurred because the student is too ill to attend to
instruction. The homebound teacher may be able to rearrange instruction for that week but if
unable to do so, absences will be recorded according to the instructional hours delivered.
Instructional hours must be delivered within each week to accrue attendance for that week.
 General Education Homebound students served at home will earn eligible days present based
the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook.

Generally, attendance is based on the following chart:

Amount of Time Served Per

Eligible Days Present Earned per Week:
Week:

one hour one day present

two hours two days present
three hours three days present
four or more hours five days present (5-day week)

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Attendance Requirements for Special Education Homebound Students

 Attendance will be awarded following the guidelines of the current year’s Student Attendance
Accounting Handbook.
 The campus administrator or designee will notify the Registrar, when a student begins
homebound services. (see Homebound Services Attendance Notification letter)
 The campus administrator or designee will notify the campus teachers when the student
begins homebound services. (see Homebound Services Teacher Notification letter)
 The homebound teacher will complete the Homebound Service Instruction Log form and
submit to the campus registrar each week. A copy will be maintained in the Department of
Special Education office at Support Services.
 The Homebound Instruction Log will reflect the school calendar week by week so that available
instructional days are easily identifiable.
 Total weekly instructional time and total weekly days in attendance are summarized at the end
of each instructional week.
 If absences are reported for any given day, a notation as to the reason should be made in the
Notes/Other section of the log.
 While parents/guardians are asked to arrange medical appointments around the homebound
teacher’s schedule, absences are often incurred because the student is too ill to attend to
instruction. The homebound teacher may be able to rearrange instruction for that week but if
unable to do so, absences will be recorded according to the instructional hours delivered.
Instructional hours must be delivered within each week to accrue attendance for that week.
 Special Education Homebound students served at home will earn eligible days present based
the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook.

Generally, attendance is based on the following chart:

Amount of Time Served Per

Eligible Days Present Earned per Week:
Week:

one hour one day present

two hours two days present
three hours three days present
four or more hours five days present (5-day week)

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 Forms

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 HOMEBOUND SERVICES STATEMENT TO PARENT/GUARDIAN

Student’s Name: _____________________________________ Student’s ID: __________

Campus: ____________________ Grade: ___________ Age: _________________

Homebound Teacher: ____________________________ Telephone: ___________________

Homebound services have been requested for the above named student. I agree to
cooperate as follows:

1. Provide a place in the home that is quiet, free from distractions (away from other
people and television), sanitary, well lit, safe, and properly ventilated and heated.
2. Ensure the student is prepared for instruction when the teacher arrives. Please
arrange other activities, including doctor appointments, around scheduled
instruction.
3. Be aware that changes in the home schedule may be necessary.
4. Ensure a responsible adult will always be in the home during instruction time. (The
homebound teacher will leave the home and the student will be counted absent if
there is not an adult in the home).
5. Notify the homebound teacher as soon as possible if the student is unable to
receive instruction or if anyone in the home develops a contagious condition.
6. The student must do 90% of the assigned work between the teacher’s visits, as
appropriate. The student must be willing to work independently and accept the
responsibility of homework with the guidance of the homebound teacher. The
student should have uninterrupted study time.
7. Parents and students must be aware that all tests, grades and assignments come
directly from the campus teachers.
8. Parent/Guardian and student are responsible for all textbooks and materials
assigned to the student during the homebound period. This includes technologies,
calculators, dictionaries, workbooks, or any other supplemental supplies/materials.

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 9. Household pets should not be allowed to interrupt home instruction. If pets are
usually kept indoors, they should be confined to a room other than the one in
which class is being held.
10. If scheduled instructional times are cancelled, absences will be reported.
Attendance will be recorded as outlined in the Attendance Accounting Handbook will be
recorded. (4 hours = 5 school days; 2 hours = 2 ½ school days; 1 hour = 1 school day)
11. A homebound session missed because of teacher absence will be made up.
12. Homebound services cannot begin until the above conditions have been met.
13. The student’s educational program will be planned and carried out on the
basis of the limitations of the student and the homebound services program, which
cannot provide the same experiences of regular classroom instruction.

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THE ABOVE RULES.

_______________________________________ ___________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

_______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number

HOMEBOUND SERVICES INSTRUCTION LOG

Student’s Name: _____________________________________ Student’s ID: __________

Campus: ____________________ Grade: ___________ Age: _________________

Date Hours Served Parent/Guardian Signature

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Homebound Teacher: ___________________________________________________________
Date: _______________

Submit this form to campus registrar weekly for attendance.

Amount of time Served per Week (Full Day) Eligible Days Present Earned per Week

1 hour 1 day present

2 hours 2 ½ days present
4+ hours Full week present

Amount of time Served per Week (Half Day) Eligible Days Present Earned per Week

30 minutes 1 day present

1 hour 2 ½ days present
2+ hours Full week present

HOMEBOUND SERVICES WORK ASSIGNMENT

Student’s Name: _____________________________________ Student’s ID: __________

Campus: ____________________ Grade: ___________ Age: _________________

This assignment is due by: _______________________________

Date

Instructions:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

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To be completed by homebound teacher:

Date Received: __________________

Date Due: ______________________

Date Completed: ________________

HOMEBOUND SERVICES ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION

To: Campus Attendance Clerk

Ref: Homebound Student

Student: __________________________

Grade: ___________________________

Start Date: _______________________

This student qualifies for Homebound Services. He/She should no longer be

counted absent. The classroom teachers have been informed of this, but
may, on occasion, report the student as absent. Please do NOT record these
absences. The homebound teacher will provide you with the Homebound

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Services Log weekly. This will notify you if the student misses a homebound
session and needs to be counted absent.

Thank you,

_________________________________

HOMEBOUND SERVICES DISMISSAL NOTIFICATION

To: Campus Attendance Clerk and Teachers

Ref: Homebound Student

Student: __________________________

Grade: ___________________________

Start Date: _______________________

This student will be returning to school as of the dismissal date listed above.
He/She will no longer be receiving homebound services. as of the dismissal

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date, the classroom teacher should count him/her absent. You will be
notified if the student should need homebound services again.

Thank you,

_________________________________

HOMEBOUND SERVICES TEACHER NOTIFICATION

Teacher: __________________________

Student: __________________________

Grade: ___________________________

Start Date: _______________________

Dear Teacher,

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The above student will be receiving homebound services. as of the date
stated above, he/she should no longer be counted absent from your class. I
will contact the attendance clerk if the student is to be reported absent.

Since the student, in most cases, will be returning to your class when
his/her condition allows, I will be asking you for weekly assignments and
tests. Once completed, I will return these assignments and tests for your
grading. Assignment sheets for the following week will be placed in your
box. Please list assignments and tests in the space provided and return to
the appropriate homebound box or designated area by Friday of each week
no later than 9am. All worksheets, manipulatives, and other materials
needed to implement your lesson will need to be provided as well.

Homebound session will typically be scheduled for four hours per week, or
as determined by the ARD Committee or 504 Committee. All academic
areas will be covered during this time which means 90% of all assignments
have to be completed by the student independently. Any accommodations
you can make to help the student be successful in your class is greatly
appreciated.

If you have any questions or concerns, I may be reached at

____________________. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

_________________________________
Homebound Teacher

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