Home/Hospital Tutoring
Home and Hospital Educational Services Policy
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations, Franklin County Technical School (FCTS) provides educational services to students who, due to a medical condition, are confined to their home or a hospital for a period of not less than fourteen (14) school days in any school year, as verified by a licensed physician. These services apply to students enrolled in a public school setting or placed by FCTS in an approved private setting.
Eligibility and Physician Documentation
1. A licensed physician must submit a completed Physician’s Statement for Home/Hospital Placement form to the Director of Student Services as soon as possible after determining that the student will be unable to attend school for at least 14 days.
2. The physician’s statement must:
o Confirm that the student is confined to the home or hospital for medical reasons.
o Indicate the anticipated start and end dates for the confinement period. o Be signed and dated by the physician.
3. If confinement extends beyond the original end date, the physician must submit an updated statement to continue services.
Provision of Services
• The Principal, in coordination with the Director of Student Services, will arrange for tutoring or instructional support with sufficient frequency to enable the student to maintain progress in their academic program.
• Services will be designed to minimize disruption to medical care and will be
provided only when they do not conflict with the student’s medical needs.
• Educational materials and assignments will align with the student’s current
coursework to ensure continuity of learning.
Relationship to Special Education Services
• Home/hospital instruction is not considered special education unless the student has been found eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Massachusetts special education regulations.
• If the student is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP):
o IEP services will continue during the home/hospital period, to the extent they can be delivered without interfering with medical needs.
o If the physician determines that the confinement will extend beyond sixty (60) school days, the IEP Team will reconvene within ten (10) school days of notification to review the student’s needs, consider additional evaluations, and update the IEP if necessary.
Coordination and Contact Information
For more information or to initiate services, please contact:
John Palumbo
Director of Student Services
Franklin County Technical School
(413) 863-9561 ext. 123