In response to HB 257, passed by the 2010 General Assembly, the Board of Education is seeking public comment on its Regulations Establishing Standards of Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (Standards of Accreditation) as the regulations relate to homebound instructional services. HB 257 says:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That the Board of Education shall review its Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8 VAC 20-131) as they relate to homebound instructional services to address whether homebound instruction may be made available to students who are confined at home or in a health care facility for periods that would prevent normal school attendance based upon evidence submitted by any person licensed to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders by a health regulatory board within the Department of Health Professions.
Homebound instruction shall be made available to students who are confined at home or in a health care facility for periods that would prevent normal school attendance based upon certification of need by a licensed physician or licensed clinical psychologist….
The Board of Education authorized 30 days of public comment on the matter at its November 18, 2010, meeting. The agenda item may be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/meetings/2010/11_nov/agenda_items/item_c.pdf. The Board is expected to review the public comment and make a determination as to whether or not to revise the Standards of Accreditation related to homebound instruction at its meeting on January 13, 2011.
Please submit your comments by e-mail, US mail, or FAX by December 28, 2010. Send comments to:
Ms. Anne Wescott
Assistant Superintendent for Policy and Communications
Virginia Department of Education
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218-2120
Fax: 804/ 225-2524
