Instruction for Students Requiring Homebound Instruction

To: Superintendents and Administrators
From: Lisa Truitt, State Attendance Officer Robin LeClaire, Director of School Improvement
Date: September 6, 2019

Subject: IAC 7-42-12 Instruction for Students Requiring Homebound Instruction

This memo is to clarify the requirements of schools under IAC 7-42-12. All students with injuries and/or temporary or chronic illnesses that preclude their attendance in school, including students who are not eligible for special education and related services, must be provided with instruction.

Before instruction for a student unable to attend school can begin, the parent must provide the school corporation with a written statement (from a physician who holds a valid, unlimited license to practice medicine) that the student has a chronic or temporary illness or injury that will require the student's absence from school for a minimum of twenty instructional days. Absences can be consecutively or for an aggregate of at least twenty instructional days over the period of the school year. If there is an expectation that the student will be absent at least twenty days during the school year, instruction should be provided immediately.

 A physician can recommend one of three types of homebound instruction: permanent, intermittent, or temporary. Most students who receive homebound services only receive them temporarily, such as after an illness, accident, or surgery. Students who are medically complex, however, typically do not fit into this category, and either need services intermittently or on a permanent, ongoing basis.

Intermittent services may be provided to students who have frequent absences or intermittent absences. They may be offered in a variety of ways, such as:
● Services only offered each day the student is unable to attend school
● A blend of in-school and homebound schooling such as one day a week in school, and four hours of homebound schooling
● Intermittent periods of homebound schooling, such as two weeks out of school with homebound services, followed by a month of services in school

Students who are completely unable to attend school may also receive homebound services on a permanent basis.

Instruction must be provided by teachers licensed to teach the grade level of the student.

For a student who is eligible for special education and related services, instruction and related services must be provided by appropriately licensed personnel.

 A student that is receiving instruction while homebound should be counted in attendance of school if instruction is being provided by appropriate personnel.

Contacts: Lisa Truitt, State Attendance Officer, LTruitt1@doe.in.gov Robin LeClaire, Director of School Improvement, RLeclaire@doe.in.gov Dana Long, Due Process Coordinator & Special Ed. Attorney, DALong@doe.in.gov

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