FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2004
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Senator Waugh Introduces Legislation

Calls for Equivalent Homebound Instruction for Students Excused from School for Extended Period of Time

HARRISBURG – State Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) introduced legislation, Senate Bill 1249, yesterday to require school districts to reasonably duplicate the level of instruction and course work found in the regular classroom when a student is temporarily homebound.

"Recently a constituent wrote to my office expressing concern about the level of instruction her son received from tutors assigned by the school district when he missed several weeks of school for an extended illness," said Waugh. "In response to her concerns I introduced this legislation."

Under Section 11.25(b) of Title 22 (Education) of The Pennsylvania Code, schools may provide "homebound instruction" to students temporarily excused from school. Under Section 11.25(c), a school district is directed to adopt policies describing the instructional services available to students who have been excused under this section. However, no standards for those services are found in the regulations.

"My bill is designed to correct this oversight and give school districts more guidance in providing instruction to temporarily excused students, while at the same time still giving them discretion in designing those services," said Waugh.

The legislation directs the Department of Education to write regulations implementing this legislation.