Program Description
The Parent Teacher Home Visits model was co-created by parents and educators using the community organizing principles of shared leadership. Participating teachers conduct 30-40 minute home visits in which educators listen, ask questions, and make observations that they can take back to their classrooms to improve instruction for the learner. As a two-visit model, PTHV encourages the first relationship-building visit to occur in the summer or early fall, followed by ongoing communication throughout the year and a second visit that focuses on academics or any other relevant issue to the student or family. The PTHV model has five non-negotiables:
- Visits are voluntary and arranged in advance
- Teachers are trained and compensated for visits
- Visits focus on hopes and dreams
- Educators visit a cross-section of students (not a targeted intervention)
- Educators go in pairs and reflect
Program Outcomes
A 2021 study by the Regional Education Laboratory of the Mid-Atlantic at Mathematica used a quasi-experimental study design using matched comparison group propensity scores to investigate the impacts of structured relationship-building teacher home visits conducted in grades 1–5 as part of a family engagement program in the District of Columbia Public Schools. During the school year following a home visit, the study found that, on average, a home visit significantly improved student attendance slightly (ES = +0.02). The attendance rate averaged 95.28 percent for visited students and 94.93 percent for nonvisited comparison students. The study also found slight improvements in math scores on standardized tests, although no difference in ELA scores.
Staffing Requirements
No additional staffing required.
Professional Development/Training
None required.
Technology
None required.