Home and Hospital Teaching

The Carroll County Public Schools Home and Hospital Teaching Program is designed to provide instructional continuity to students who are unable to attend their regular school of enrollment due to :  physical illness or disability, emotional crisis (including substance abuse), pregnancy or chronic health impairment.  Home teaching is a short-term instructional service mandated by State law with specific guidelines for program implementation and delivery.  These educational services enable students to continue their academic work and to remain current with their peers as they prepare for their eventual return to their home schools.

In order to qualify for home and hospital teaching services, the student must be expected to be absent from school for a projected period of 15 consecutive school days or more as a result of physical or emotional problems or has a history of intermittent absences due to a chronic condition.  High school students may qualify for services after an absence of 10 school days, if the absence is anticipated to last for at least 15 school days.

Students enrolled in an elementary or middle school will receive a maximum of six (6) hours per week of instruction.  Students enrolled in high school will receive a maximum of eight (8) hours of instruction per week.

The process for applying to access this service is as follows:

Please click this link to obtain a  Medical Professional’s Recommendation for Home & Hospital Teaching form (or it is available through the school Guidance Office or by contacting Student Services). The parent/guardian must complete the "Parent" section, then forward this form to the appropriate licensed or certified professional, who must complete the "Medical Professional" section. By completing this form, Carroll County Public Schools’ staff is authorized to communicate with your medical or licensed/certified professional. Failure to sign this release of information may result in denial of Home & Hospital Teaching Services.

• Physical Illness – A Licensed Physician must complete all information in the Medical Professional section, including the anticipated date the student will return to school.

• Emotional Crisis - If the student’s diagnosed illness is emotional or behavioral in nature, the recommendation for home teaching must be made by a Licensed Psychiatrist or Licensed Psychologist. A treatment plan must also be submitted (see page 2 of the Medical Professional’s Recommendation form). The recommendation will be reviewed by the school psychologist assigned to the student’s school and a transition plan developed to return the student to school.  

•  Pregnancy – Pregnant students are expected to attend school during their pregnancy. The doctor must provide an estimated date of delivery on the home teaching request. Home teaching services are provided for 6 – 8 weeks post delivery. 
  
• Chronic Health Impairment - Students diagnosed as having chronic illnesses (such as asthma, cancer, sickle cell anemia, kidney failure, juvenile diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or cardiac disorders) are eligible for home teaching services without an anticipated three-week absence. The physician's statement needs to indicate that the illness will cause frequent intermittent absences. Home teaching services are provided to support the student during intermittent absences and help the student keep pace with classmates. 

 The medical professional should return the form to the Student Services Department by faxing it to (410)751-3695.  Upon receipt of the form, Carroll County Public Schools staff will determine if Home & Hospital Teaching is appropriate.  If the service is determined to be appropriate, the request will be approved and services will be implemented.

Once home teaching services are approved, an instructional plan will be developed in conjunction with the student's home school.  CCPS provides home teaching through an online provider, as well as with individually assigned home teachers who come to the home.  The assigned teacher or online provider will contact the parent/guardian directly to schedule teaching sessions.

In addition, Carroll County Public Schools requires that a responsible adult (18 years of age or older) must be present throughout the duration of the time the home teacher is with the student.  Please be prepared to make arrangements to provide adult supervision if Home & Hospital Teaching is approved.

Please be aware that the maximum amount of time that a student can be assigned to Home & Hospital Teaching is 60 calendar days.  If the student is not able to return to school by that time, a review and re-verification process will determine if services will continue, be modified or ended.  For students identified with a Chronic Health Impairment, a review and re-verification will be done once each semester or earlier if appropriate.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Assistant Supervisor of Student Records and Home and Hospital Teaching at (410)386-1838 or at homeandhospital@carrollk12.org.

Home and Hospital Teaching services are only available to students enrolled in Carroll County Public Schools.

Note:  Students may be assigned one or more tutors at the school system's discretion.  Tutoring may be provided in person or via the internet.  Please be advised that Home & Hospital tutoring services do not replicate the classroom experience.