Home and Hospital Teaching
Carroll County Public Schools sponsors a program of Home & Hospital Teaching for Carroll County students who cannot attend school for physical or emotional reasons. The student’s illness must necessitate an absence of at least fifteen (15) consecutive school days for elementary/middle school students or at least ten (10) consecutive days with an expected absence of at least 15 days for high school students in order to be eligible. Home teaching services for a medical condition shall only be recommended by a licensed physician. Home teaching services for an emotional reason shall be recommended by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist or certified school psychologist. If determined to be eligible for the service, the student will receive instruction by a tutor assigned by the school system in the home or hospital setting. 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:
1. The student’s parent/guardian must obtain a Medical Professional’s Recommendation for Home & Hospital Teaching form (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 are 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.
2. A referral for home teaching for an emotional/behavioral diagnosis shall only be made by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed clinical psychologist, or certified school psychologist. The second page of the home teaching application, outlining the transition plan, must be completed.
3. Return the form to Barbara Bankard, Assistant Supervisor of Student Records and Home & Hospital Teaching at 125 N Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157. Upon receipt of the form, the request will be reviewed to determine if Home & Hospital Teaching is appropriate. If the student qualifies for services, the request will be approved and services will be implemented.
4. The tutor(s) will contact the family to schedule sessions wiith the student.
Please be aware that the maximum amount of time that a student shall be assigned to Home & Hospital Teaching is 60 calendar days. If the student is not able to return to school by that time, a reverification process will determine whether the service will continue, be modified, or terminated. Note: Special Education/504 students who receive home and hospital services for an emotional/ behavioral disorder shall not receive services beyond 60 consecutive days. Those students shall return to school at that time.
5. 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 in the home. Please be prepared to make arrangements to provide adult supervision if Home & Hospital Teaching is approved.
6. This service is also available to families that reside in Carroll County but attend private school. Familes requesting this service would follow the same procedures listed above. Requests should be submitted to Barbara Bankard, Assistant Supervisor of Student Records and Home & Hospital Teaching, 125 N. Court Street, Westminster, MD 21157.
Note: Students may be assigned one or more tutors at the school system's discretion. Tutoring may be provided in person or via a computer. Please be advised that Home & Hospital tutoring services do not replicate the classroom experience.
