Home-based Instruction

The student’s individualized education program (IEP) team determines the placement and defines the services to be provided. Home-based instruction is not remediation services and is not designed to provide students with time to make up previously missed assignments.  The goal of home-based instruction is to keep the student as current as possible with classroom instruction during the standard school year. 

Roles and Responsibilities: Parents and/or Guardians 

Support Student's Academic Progress

• Work with the school staff to obtain assignments for courses not supported by homebound instruction, and return completed work to the school.
• Schedule instructional sessions once instructors have been assigned. Family preferences for instructional setting cannot be guaranteed, but will be considered.
• Ensure the student is ready for instruction at the time agreed upon.
• Provide an appropriate learning environment if instruction is in the home including a clean, distraction-free work space.

A Safe and Comfortable Environment

• Understand that the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) applies to all students during school-sponsored activities regardless of venue. Homebound instruction is considered a school-sponsored activity.
• Make sure that an adult is in the home at all times.
• Provide a safe and welcoming environment for staff working with your student: be respectful, kind, and clearly communicate throughout the process. 
• Provide in-person teachers access to a restroom while working in the home.
• Parents must agree to follow the  FCPS Non-Discrimination policy.

Documentation and Communication

• If instruction is provided in-person, sign paperwork necessary to verify instruction after each session.  
• If instruction is provided virtually, respond weekly to the verification email from the teacher confirming the instructional time.
• Keep all appointments with the teacher or notify the teacher at least 24 hours in advance if the student is unavailable.  
• Inform the school homebound/home-based coordinator if the student’s situation changes.

Roles and Responsibilities: Students 

Instructional Engagement

• Be ready to meet with the teachers at the scheduled times.
• Participate actively in instruction.
• Complete all assignments, including homework assigned.
• Use Schoology to submit completed assignments (if applicable).
• Maintain an organizational system for assignments, as necessary.

A Safe and Comfortable Environment

• Be respectful, kind, and clearly communicate throughout the process. 
• Understand that the SR&R applies to all students during school-sponsored activities regardless of venue. Homebound instruction is considered a school-sponsored activity
• Students must agree to follow the FCPS Non-Discrimination policy.

Courses Supported and Teachers

• Instructional support is provided for core academic classes: English, science, social studies, and mathematics.  For secondary students, foreign language may also be supported if required for the diploma being pursued.  
• Home-based teachers do not provide instruction in physical education (P.E.), fine arts and practical arts, and elective courses.
• Home-based teachers must hold a current Virginia license.  They may be current Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) teachers or may work hourly for FCPS to provide this service.
• Assignments and materials provided by the classroom teacher are used by the home-based teacher.

Hours and Location of Home-based Services

• Based on a five-day school week, secondary students are generally provided with up to two and one-half (2.5) hours of instruction per week for each core class.  Elementary students are generally provided with up to five (5) hours of instructional services per five-day school week.
• Home-based instruction is delivered during regular school hours, late afternoon, or early evening, and only on those days when school is in session.  
• When scheduling sessions, home-based teachers take into consideration parent or guardian requests, but not all requests can be accommodated.
• Homebound services can be provided virtually, in-person, or through the use of an FCPS approved digital curriculum.
• The location of services is designated by Out of School Support and may be the student’s home, health care facility, or public library.  If services are to be provided in the home, a home visit must be completed prior to the initiation of services, an adult must be present at all times, and all pets must be confined prior to the arrival of the homebound teacher.

Missed sessions

• Sessions missed due to cancellation by the family will not be made up.
• Sessions missed due to cancellation of FCPS school activities are not made up.
• Sessions missed due to cancellation by the homebound teacher are made up.

Grading

• Frequent communication is required between the classroom and home-based teachers, and all work completed by the student is turned into the classroom teacher. 
• Students are responsible for submitting assignments via Schoology if applicable
• 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 (SOL) Tests and Other Required Testing

• The school homebound/home-based coordinator, the school testing coordinator, classroom teachers, and home-based teachers will collaborate to arrange for the administration of required testing.