This section of the website contains Lockhart ISD's Homebound Services information. Click on the titles below to be taken directly to that section below.

Purpose of Homebound Services

Homebound services are provided as part of the Special Education or General Education (Section 504) programs of Lockhart ISD. This instructional arrangement/setting is designed for students who have a severe medical or serious chronic health condition which prohibits participation in the educational program on a school campus.

The focus of homebound instruction is on maintaining the student’s progress in classes during a specific period of illness or recovery from injury.

Homebound services are not intended as a long term substitute for school attendance nor as an alternative route to graduation. An important part of the plan for providing homebound educational services should be a transition plan to return the student back to the campus as soon as medically possible.

Homebound services are not effective in addressing the needs of students who are experiencing school phobia, school avoidance or have a moderate condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome. Effective interventions should address the underlying issues affecting the student’s ability to participate in the general curriculum at school.

Homebound services are not a long term substitute for attending classes. Students who plan to attend college need the classroom experience and rigor to be fully prepared. While homebound services will preserve attendance and credit, the preparation for university level coursework is best addressed at the school campus.

Provision of services

To be eligible for homebound services, a licensed medical doctor's recommendation is required, in addition to approval from either the Section 504 Committee or the Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee. Certification includes documentation of a student's inability to attend school for at least four consecutive weeks or a chronic recurring condition resulting in probable absences totaling at least four or more weeks during the school year due to a medical condition

For students who were served in Special Education prior to needing homebound services, the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee determines homebound eligibility, what courses will be continued, and what special education services will continue in the home setting. All decisions are documented in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

For students who were served through Section 504 prior to needing homebound, the Section 504 committee will determine homebound eligibility and determine what courses will be continued in the home setting. All decisions are documented in the Section 504 paperwork.

For general education students who were not previously receiving Section 504 services but may qualify for homebound services, consent must be obtained from the parent/adult student to conduct an evaluation to determine eligibility for homebound services. If the student is found eligible for homebound services, a Section 504 meeting is held and the committee determines what courses will be continued in the home setting. All decisions are documented in the Section 504 paperwork and consent for placement in Section 504 must be received.

A general education teacher must provide homebound services to students in general education, and a special education teacher must provide homebound services to students in special education.

Teachers or therapists will provide the services in the home to maintain the student’s progress in the state required curriculum. Some subjects and electives may not be provided in the home setting if they require labs, specialized equipment, performances or group participation.

The ARD or Section 504 committee will determine the number of hours per week needed for the student. The homebound teacher must provide at least four (4) hours of instruction weekly to maintain 100% attendance for students. Attendance is necessary to meet state requirements for compulsory attendance, to obtain course credit and to advance from grade to grade.

Location of services

Homebound services are typically delivered in the home or hospital setting because the student is confined to the home or hospital. On rare occasions due to the nature of the disability, the ARD committee or §504 Committee can agree to provide services at a mutually agreeable location that is decided upon by the teacher and student/family.

Time of services

Lockhart ISD utilizes current teaching staff to provide homebound services for students that have a Section 504 plan. To the extent possible, we try to obtain teachers with expertise in a particular grade or subject. For this reason, the majority of homebound services are provided after school hours for students that have a Section 504 plan. Requests for services delivered at other times are evaluated on a case by case basis and require medical documentation of reasoning for another time.

Lockhart ISD utilizes a Homebound Teacher to provide homebound services for student that have a special education eligibility and a current Individualized Education Program (IEP) in place.  These services are offered during the instructional day. The time of services is arranged by the Homebound Teacher and the parent/guardian.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

A parent or guardian over the age of 21 must be present in the home at all times during instruction. School personnel are not allowed to be in the home alone with a student of any age for any amount of time. School staff are instructed to leave the premises if a responsible adult is not present. School staff are also instructed to leave the premises if they feel they are in danger due to a student or family member’s behavior. School staff are not to use the school district’s approved method of containment, Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression (SAMA) in the home setting. The staff member should leave the home rather than engage in a containment.

The homebound teacher will work with the family to find the most convenient time available to provide the services. Once a schedule is made, parents are responsible to see that the student is rested and available for instruction at the scheduled time. The student will need to study and work on assignments between visits from the teacher. Parents will need to supervise the completion of assignments between visits and help students to be prepared. It is very difficult for ill students to keep up with the class work if parents do not provide structure and support to complete assignments on time. Should the student be too ill to participate in instruction or unavailable due to a change in the family schedule, the parent is requested to contact the school to notify the Homebound teacher that the appointment is canceled. The majority of homebound instruction is provided by Lockhart ISD teaching staff.

Transitioning back to campus

Some students are able to return to school full time when the physician releases them from medical restrictions. The homebound teacher will notify the classroom teachers when the return date is clear and facilitate the transition.

The ARD or Section 504 committee, in collaboration with the Special Services Coordinators, may write a transition plan for students who have been out of school for an extended period of time or who need a partial day at school as an interim step to return to school. The student will earn eligible days present (for those days the student is absent and served at home) based on the number of hours the student is served at home by a certified teacher each week. The length of the transition period must also be determined by the ARD or Section 504 committee based on current medical information.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

For students in general education, inquiries should be made to the campus Section 504 coordinator.

For students served through special education, inquiries should be made to the campus special education case manager.

Further questions can be addressed to Christina Smith, Director of Special Services, 512-398-0260, christina.smith@lockhart.txed.net