Medical Homebound Instruction
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Statutory Basis for Medical Homebound Instruction
South Carolina’s mandates regarding medical homebound instruction appear in State Board of Education Regulation 43-241. Put in the simplest terms, R 43-241 defines "homebound instruction" as teaching that is offered to the student who has an acute or chronic medical condition that prevents him or her from attending classes at school, takes place "in a room especially set aside for the period of instruction" and is conducted by an individual who holds a South Carolina teacher’s certificate.
Specifically, Regulation 43-241 says that students who cannot attend public school because of illness, accident or pregnancy, even with the aid of transportation, are eligible for medical homebound instruction. A physician must certify that the student is unable to attend school but may profit from instruction given in the home. Any student participating in a program of medical homebound instruction must be approved by the district superintendent or his or her designee on standardized forms provided by the State Department of Education. All approved forms must be maintained by the district for documentation.
Medical homebound instruction is a service that is available for students who cannot attend school for a medical reason.
- A physician must certify that the student has such a medical condition but may benefit from instruction and must fill out the medical homebound form that the school district provides. The form for Medical Homebound can be picked up from the school or by contacting Katie.Brooks@odysseyonline.com
- The school leader then decides whether to approve the student for medical homebound services.
- The school will consider the severity of the student’s illness or injury, the length of time that the student will be out of school, the impact that a long period away from school will have on the student’s academic success and whether the student’s health needs can be met at school.
The goal of medical homebound instruction is to provide continuity of instruction and to facilitate the student’s return to a regular school setting as quickly as possible. State Board of Education Regulation 43-241 outlines the provision of medical homebound services.
For further information please contact Karen Swofford, Special Education Coordinator, at Karen.Swofford@odysseyonline.com or (803) 674-6219.
What are the student’s responsibilities in the medical homebound instruction process?
The student must realize that medical homebound instruction is an extension of regular school and all classroom rules and regulations, as well as school district policies, apply.
In addition, the student should:
- Be available for all scheduled instruction
- Be dressed appropriately
- Have all books and materials needed for instruction
- Complete all homework assignments
- Remain courteous, comply with teacher requests and use appropriate language
- Dedicate instruction time to instruction only (no phone calls, visiting, radio, television and so on)
What are the parents’ responsibilities in the medical homebound instruction process?
The parents should:
- Realize that before instruction can begin, all necessary paperwork must be completed
- Ensure that the child is prepared for the arrival of the medical homebound teacher
- Provide an area in the home that is conducive to learning and suitable for instruction (e.g., is quiet and free of distractions, has good lighting and a desk or table)
- Understand that during the course of medical homebound instruction, adult supervision in the home is required in order to ensure a healthy and safe environment for both the student and the teacher
- Make certain that the student is available for all scheduled instruction
- Contact the homebound teacher to cancel the scheduled period of instruction in cases of emergency
- Inform the homebound teacher of the child’s future medical appointments as early as possible if such appointments will interfere with instruction time
- Understand that if the student is absent for his or her scheduled period of instruction, he or she is considered absent from school on that day
- Understand that the state’s compulsory attendance laws fully apply to medically homebound students
- Communicate with the district’s medical homebound instruction coordinator or the school’s contact person about changes in the child’s health and return-to-school plans
- Sign the homebound teacher’s timesheet each time instruction is rendered, which logs the hours and days that the teacher has worked with the student
- Monitor and encourage the child to plan his or her time in order to accomplish assigned work
- Understand that although medical homebound instruction usually takes place at home, an alternative site may be designated if circumstances warrant
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