Section 2.1: School Related Operations

Approved: March 5, 2002

Revised: June 24, 2025

HOME INSTRUCTION 

Procedures 

1.0             Purpose

This procedure outlines the conditions and process for providing home instruction to students who are unable to attend regular school due to medical condition (physical or mental health-related), or other exceptional circumstances, and delineates it from home schooling (parent-led education).

2.0             Definitions

Home Instruction: Temporary instructional support provided by the school board to students who are unable to attend school due to medical condition (physical or mental health-related) or exceptional reasons, or exclusion as verified by documentation.

Home Schooling: Education of a child by their parent/guardian at home without school board-provided instruction, as outlined in PPM 131.

3.0             Legislative and Policy References

Ontario Regulation 298, Section 11(11)

Policy/Program Memorandum 131 (PPM 131): Home Schooling

Ontario Human Rights Code

4.0             Application Criteria

4.1   Home instruction may be considered for students:

4.1.1   With a verified medical condition (physical or mental health-related) that prevents school attendance.

4.1.2   Who are excluded, suspended or expelled (as per Safe Schools legislation).

4.1.3   Who are unable to attend for other exceptional reasons approved by the Superintendent

5.0             Request and Approval Process

5.1  A written request for home instruction (Appendix A) must be submitted to the school principal and must include:

5.1.1   Completed Home Instruction Request Form.

5.1.2    Medical certificate or documentation from a qualified health professional specifying the expected duration of absence.

5.1.3    Parental/guardian consent forms for information sharing (Appendix B) 

5.2   The principal will:

5.2.1   Review the request and confirm eligibility.

5.2.2   Consult with the Superintendent of Education responsible for Home Instruction for approval.

5.2.3   Coordinate the assignment of a qualified instructor.

5.2.4    Notify the regional attendance counsellor

6.0             Instructional Guidelines

6.1             Instructional time will generally consist of 3 to 5 hours per week, delivered in-person or via remote learning platforms based on the student's condition and availability of resources.

6.2             Instruction should be tailored to student needs and reflect the student’s current educational program.

6.3             When a teacher, who is currently employed by District School Board Ontario North East (DSB1), accepts the home instruction assignment, the instruction must be given outside of the teacher’s contracted school day.

6.4             Instruction will be asynchronous with instructional time based on the nature of the student's condition and teacher availability.

6.5             Progress shall be monitored through regular communication and documented learning updates.

6.6             Days available for instruction will follow the established annual school year calendar.

6.7             When instruction is to be in-person, a neutral site should be agreed upon by the parent/guardian and the school Principal, for the instruction to take place.

7.0   Instructional Personnel 

7.1             Teachers assigned must be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).

7.2             When an OCT qualified teacher is unable to fill a home instruction teaching assignment, an unqualified person may be considered for the position in consultation with the principal of the student’s home school and the Superintendent of Education responsible for Home Instruction.  

7.3             The student’s regular classroom teacher will be prioritized for continuity of learning

8.0             Roles and Responsibilities

8.1             Parent/Guardian

8.1.1            Submit request and documentation (Appendix A).

8.1.2            Consult with the Principal to establish a site for in-person instruction.  When instruction is provided via technology, the parent/guardian will ensure a safe and appropriate environment for instruction.

8.1.3            Participate in regular updates on student progress.

8.2             Principal

8.2.1   Ensure documentation is completed and submitted.

8.2.2    Assign instructional staff and coordinate logistics, including notification of the regional attendance counsellor.

8.2.3    Monitor student progress and effectiveness of instruction.

8.3             Home Instruction Teacher

8.3.1   Prepare and deliver instructional materials.

8.3.2   Maintain contact with the school team.

8.3.3   Submit progress reports bi-weekly.

8.3.4   Submit the Home Instruction Timesheet (Appendix C) on a weekly basis to the payroll department.

8.3.5    Submit the Statement of Travelling Expense form (Appendix D) when travelling to meet the student in person.  Kilometrage to the neutral site from the student’s home school will be paid at the approved Board rate 

8.4             Superintendent

8.4.1   Approve or deny requests.

8.4.2   Provide oversight and resolve disputes

9.0             Monitoring and Review

9.1             All home instruction placements shall be reviewed every 4-6 weeks or as determined by the Superintendent of Education responsible for Home Instruction in consultation with the school Principal.

9.2             Decisions to extend or terminate instruction must be supported by updated documentation.

9.3             A final review shall occur upon the student’s return to school.

10.0  Use of Technology

10.1        Where appropriate, digital platforms such as virtual classrooms, video conferencing tools, and cloud-based resources will be used.

10.2        The board will provide necessary supports to ensure access to remote instruction.

11.0        Documentation and Records 

The following must be retained in the student’s OSR:

• Request form (Appendix A)
• Medical documentation (Appendix A)
• Parental consent forms (Appendix B)
• Progress reports
• Correspondence and review summaries

Appendices

Appendix A:  Request for Home Instruction

Appendix B:  Authorization to Release or Obtain Information

Appendix C:  Home Instruction Timesheet

Appendix D:  Statement of Travel Expense