Kindergarten Teacher Perceptions Regarding Participating in Home Visits

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Recognizing and Developing Educators' Expertise Through School, University, and Community Partnerships

Abstract

The purpose of this study conducted through a district-university-community partnership was to investigate why kindergarten teachers decided to participate or not participate in one diverse district’s home visits program. Specifically, participants identified the factors that contributed to their decisions and shared their suggestions for how to improve the program in order to increase and sustain teacher participation. Consistent with recent literature, participants acknowledged that home visits provide the opportunity for teachers and families to mutually support each other and allow for schools to demonstrate that they are willing to listen and involve parents in their children’s education. However, participants revealed that barriers to such programs exist including: time constraints, linguistic limitations, and parental perceptions.

Authors

• Danielle Nicole Poche, College of the Holy Cross

• Matt Thul, University of Portland

• Christopher Merideth, University of Portland

• Nicole Ralston, University of Portland

• Jacqueline C. Waggoner, University of Portland

• Robert Cantwell, Portland Public Schools

• Nancy S. Hauth, Portland Public Schools

• James Carroll, University of Portland