Home Tutoring Due to Long Term Absence

Resident children attending public or non-public schools who qualify for home tutoring due to a long term illness shall be provided with such instruction in accordance with New York State Education Law and Commissioner's Regulations.

Procedures for students requiring home tutoring shall be developed under the direction of the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Education Law Sections 1604(20), 1709(24), 3202, and 4401


REGULATION
 
Instruction
 
SUBJECT:  HOME TUTORING DUE TO LONG TERM ABSENCE
 
Policy 8450 describes procedures for students requiring instruction out of the classroom setting due to a medical need for the Auburn Enlarged City School District.  When a parent/guardian anticipates a prolonged absence due to a physical, mental, or emotional illness, the parent/guardian can request tutoring for the child while absent from school.  The parent/guardian should provide a prescription from a licensed provider describing the diagnosis and anticipated time the student will be out of the classroom setting in support of the request for tutoring.   Under State Education Law, a prolonged absence is one that lasts for two weeks or longer.   However, with appropriate documentation and in consideration of uniquely compelling circumstances, the District will consider provision of home tutoring for absences of less than two weeks.  The procedures include, but are not limited to the following:
 

• The Nursing Supervisor will request that a Release of Information with the student’s physician be signed by the parent/guardian. Upon receipt of the prescription, the District has an obligation and right to make inquires of the physician as there must be a legitimate basis of medical necessity for alternative instruction (tutoring). Therefore, the Nursing Supervisor will communicate with the physician in order to fully understand the extent of the student’s condition. The District has the right to ask for additional information to substantiate the prescription request. A treatment plan may be requested along with periodic updates from the physician on the student’s condition. 
• The District also has a tutoring site where services are provided.If a received prescription states “home tutoring”, the Nursing Supervisor will discuss with the physician if the student can appropriately receive instruction at the tutoring site. 
• The Nursing Supervisor will make a determination regarding the tutoring, location, and duration, after consultation with the physician and parent/guardian. Any questions regarding tutoring will be directed to the Nursing Supervisor. In the event that there is not a legitimate basis for the tutoring, it may be denied after consultation with the School Physician. 
• Elementary students receive five hours of tutoring a week and secondary students receive 10 hours of tutoring a week while classes are in session, excluding holidays and vacations. 
• A Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 referral may be considered when tutoring is required for lengthy periods of time and deemed necessary to meet the student’s educational needs.