Introduction:

The Code of Maryland regulations (COMAR) 13A.03.05.01 states:

A. These regulations, which establish a minimum requirement, apply to the provision of instructional services to public school students who are unable to participate in their school of enrollment due to a physical or emotional condition.

B. In implementing these regulations, all school systems shall comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as appropriate.

C. Concurrent delivery of instructional services and enrollment in a public school shall be provided for a student whose physical or emotional condition requires the student to be absent from school on an intermittent basis. These conditions include, but are not limited to, kidney failure, cancer, asthma, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, depression, and bipolar disorder.

D. Instructional services shall be provided to an identified student with disabilities in accordance with federal and State special education law and regulations, including COMAR 13A.05.01. The student and parents shall be involved in the process and are entitled to all rights and due process procedures included within these laws and regulations.                    

E. Excluded from these regulations are the home-based programs operated through the Office for Children and the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program for the birth through 2-year-old disabled population and Home Instruction under COMAR 13A.10.01.

• Assigns an instructor

  • For elementary students, they will receive 6 hours of one on one instruction in the four core subjects of reading, math, social studies, and science. This is far less than the 35 hours a week a student gets in a regular class. There will be homework assignments that they are expected to complete outside of the time with the Home Hospital instructor for a successful educational experience.

• For secondary students, they will receive 6 hours of one on one instruction in the four core subjects of reading, math, social studies, and science if they do not have home access to the Internet and a computer. There will be homework assignments that they are expected to complete outside of the time with the Home Hospital instructor for a successful educational experience.

• If the secondary student has Internet and a computer they will received instruction on the online program Edmentum. We can cover most of the school schedule beyond the four cores. For the first two weeks, the student will get 6 hours of instruction a week to become familiar with the online program. After the two weeks, the instructor will monitor the student’s progress on the Edmentum program and the student can communicate questions through the Edmentum email system. The instructor will come to the home one hour a week to assist with direct instruction of concepts that cannot be worked out online. The responsibility and time in the program shift to the student outside of the time with the Home Hospital instructor to complete for a successful educational experience.

• A memo is sent to the school, family, and instructor outlining the dates of service and the person assigned to teach the student.

• The instructor contacts the family to set up a mutually agreeable schedule

• An adult over the age of 18 must be present during Home Hospital instruction and will sign off on the hours

• The instructor will provide the parent and student feedback and communicate to the school the grades earned during the time of Home Hospital Instruction.

• If the student is out for a period of time that is not a whole term, the Home Hospital grades will be averaged in with the regular school teacher’s grades.

Pregnancy:

House Bill 616 (Chapter 729), Education-Pregnant and Parenting Students took effect July 1, 2017. The Bill requires schools to excuse as a lawful absence any pregnancy or parenting related conditions, including absences for: (1) labor; (2) delivery; (3) recovery; and, (4) prenatal and postnatal medical appointments. The Bill also specifies certain lawful absences for a parenting student including: (1) at least 10 days of excused absences after the birth of the student’s child; and, (2) any absences due to the illness or medical appointment of the student’s child, four days of which are excused without a physician’s note. In addition, the Bill specifies excused absences for pregnant or parenting students for legal appointments related to family law proceedings, including adoption, custody, and visitation.

• Wicomico County Schools encourages students to have the Home Hospital form filled out before the birth stating the expected date of delivery.

• Once the child is delivered the family notifies the school of the date of birth and type of delivery. After three excused days of recovery, home hospital instruction will begin for 6 weeks for a vaginal delivery or 8 weeks for a c-section. WCBOE will observe any additional doctor instructions.

Dispute resolution:

Home and Hospital Teaching concerns or disputes should first be addressed with the Assistant Superintendent of Student and Family Services for resolution. If the dispute is not resolved, the parent may refer the matter to the Home Hospital Teaching Dispute Resolution committee by submitting a written appeal within ten (10) calendar days to:

HHT Dispute Resolution Committee

Department of Student Services

Wicomico County Board of Education

2424 NorthGate Dr. Suite 100

Salisbury MD 21802

The Committee will investigate, review, and resolve the concern. The Committee will issue a written determination within ten (10) calendar days. If the dispute has not been resolved, the parent may appeal to the Superintendent of Schools.