Regular school attendance is important and expected for all students. In some situations, however, a medical condition may prevent a student from attending school in person. DCPS will work to identify and address any barriers that may be affecting the student and will ensure that all reasonable attempts to remediate those barriers have been considered. 

A student may be eligible for Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP) services if they have a documented medical condition that prevents them from participating in in-person classroom instruction and requires them to remain at home or in a healthcare facility during the regular school year.

Eligibility for HHIP services must be supported by documentation from a licensed healthcare provider confirming that the student's medical condition prevents them from attending school.

HHIP services are intended to help students continue their learning while they are temporarily unable to attend school and to support their successful return to the classroom. 

Students who are expected to be out of school for 10 or more consecutive school days due to a medical condition may be eligible for HHIP services. Eligibility is determined through a review of medical documentation completed by a licensed healthcare provider. HHIP helps students stay connected to learning while they are temporarily unable to attend school. Home and Hospital Instruction Program (HHIP) services provide short-term instructional support for students whose medical condition prevents them from attending school regularly. These services help students stay connected to learning and support a successful return to school during the regular school year.

HHIP is designed to help students continue making educational progress while they are unable to attend school. It is not intended to replace full-time school enrollment, provide long-term instruction outside of school, or make up coursework missed before HHIP services are approved.

HHIP services are also not intended to address concerns related to academics, behavior, attendance, discipline, or other school-based needs. Families seeking support in these areas should work with their student's school team, which can provide appropriate interventions, resources, and support through established DCPS processes.

The classroom teacher will remain the teacher of record and retain responsibility for determining and assigning the student’s quarter, semester, and final grades.

While every reasonable effort will be made to support the student’s continued academic progress during HHIP services, the student remains responsible for meeting applicable course requirements and performance standards to earn course credit.

Homebound instruction services for all students will conclude on the last scheduled day of regular classes in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) academic calendar.

 

Key Considerations

HHIP services are

• Designed to ensure that students do not fall significantly behind academically during periods of confinement.
• Participatory in nature, requiring students to actively participate in instruction and complete assigned coursework.
• Includes homework and other independent learning activities to reinforce instruction.
• Focused on maintaining continuous academic progress and minimizing learning loss.
• Prioritizes instruction in core academic subjects while supporting overall educational achievement. 

 

HHIP Services are not intended to

• To replace comprehensive educational services provided in the school setting.
• Does not guarantee on-time graduation; students remain responsible for meeting all diploma and graduation requirements
• Does not require that all assignments and coursework be completed solely during instructional sessions with the homebound teacher.
• Not a substitute for earning course credit through successful completion of established course requirements and assessments.
• Does not guarantee that specialized courses requiring laboratories, specialized equipment, or unique facilities will be replicated in a comparable manner.
• Does not automatically include enrollment or instruction in elective courses.

 

Student Responsibilities

Students receiving HHIP services are expected to:

• Develop and adhere to a schedule for participation in homebound instruction that is aligned with their individual educational and medical needs.
• Actively engage in all instructional sessions and learning activities.
• Complete and submit assigned coursework, including homework and other instructional assignments, in a timely manner.
• Utilize ASPEN and assigned DCPS student applications when applicable, to access instructional materials and submit completed assignments.
• Maintain an organized system for managing assignments, instructional materials, and related communications, as appropriate.

 

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

Complete and Submit Homebound Services Documentation

Complete and submit the Homebound Services Documentation to the student's school for review and processing.

Step 1: Download Required Forms

Download the following documents:

1. Physician Verification Form
2. Consent Form
3. Parent Agreement Form (English) (Español)

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Forms

1. Provide the Physician Verification Form to the treating physician responsible for the student's documented medical condition. Once completed, submit the form to the appropriate HHIP Designee.
2. Complete and sign the Consent Form.
3. Complete and sign the Parent Agreement Form.

 

Contact E-mail:
[email protected]

Contact Phone:
(202) 939-3506

For more information on special education programs and services in DCPS, please refer to the DCPS Special Education Family Guide.