Homebound Learning

How to Refer a Child

If you know or suspect that a child residing in the Ocean Springs School

The goal of homebound services is to keep the student current with classroom instruction and facilitate the student’s return to the current classroom setting.

Homebound instruction is not intended to replace school services and is, by design, temporary. It is not a remediation program and is not designed to provide students with time to make up previously missed assignments. It is expected that the family and school will minimize academic work missed due to absences prior to the initiation of homebound services.

Courses Supported and Teachers
• Instructional support is provided for core academic classes: English, science, social studies, and mathematics. For secondary students, foreign language, etc. may also be supported in order to complete required graduation credits.
• Homebound teachers do not provide instruction in physical education (P.E.), fine arts (band or theater).
• Homebound teachers must hold a current Mississippi license and are assigned by the Department of Student Services.
• Assignments and materials provided by the classroom teacher must be used by the homebound teacher.

Grading
• Frequent communication is required between the classroom and homebound teachers, and all work completed by the student is turned in to the classroom teacher.
• The classroom teacher is the teacher of record and is responsible for assigning the quarter, semester, and final grades to the student.
• Every effort will be made to ensure academic progress; however, course credit must still be earned according to class requirements.

Standards of Learning Tests and Other Required Testing
• The school homebound coordinator, the school testing coordinator, classroom teachers, and homebound teachers will collaborate to arrange for the administration of required testing.

Extension or Early Termination of Homebound Services
• In order to continue homebound instruction beyond the termination date, (not more than 30 school days) the parent must submit a completed Request for Extension of Homebound Instruction form to the Department of Student Services five school days prior to the termination of services.
• If the student is able to return to school before scheduled to do so, the parent must obtain a medical release statement from the physician to be presented to the homeschool.
• Special education students must have an IEP which returns them to school-based services before homebound services can be terminated.

Classroom teacher
• Collaborates with the homebound teacher to exchange information, strategies, materials, assignments, assessment tools, etc., needed to provide instruction.

Homebound teacher
• Contacts the family to schedule homebound instruction on regular school days.
• Using materials and assignments provided by the classroom teacher provides instruction to the student with the goal of keeping the student as current as possible with classroom instruction.
• Homebound teacher returns all completed work to the classroom teacher.

Parents or guardians
• Provide the medical documentation needed to support the homebound referral.
• Obtain assignments from the classroom teachers until homebound teachers are assigned.
• Work with the school staff to obtain assignments for courses not supported by homebound instruction (PE, band, theater, etc.)
• Provide an appropriate learning environment.
• Ensure that an adult is in the home at all times.
• Keep all appointments with the homebound teacher or notify the teacher or Department of Student Services if the student is unavailable.
• Work to return the student to school-based instruction as soon as possible.
• Understand that the Student Rights and Responsibilities apply to all students during school-sponsored activities regardless of venue. Homebound instruction is considered a school-sponsored activity.

Student
• Be ready to meet with the homebound teachers at the scheduled times.
• Participate actively in instruction.
• Complete all assignments, including homework assigned on time. Work to return to school-based instruction as soon as possible.
• Maintain an organizational system for assignments, as necessary.
 
Homebound Application:
To apply for homebound education, please contact the Office of Student Services at (228) 875-5782

Homebound Documents:
FERPA HIPAA CONSENT
Homebound Checklist
Homebound School Referral Flow Chart
Homebound Student Services Procedures Flow Chart
Physician’s Statement Homebound Instruction