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Home visits new technique in education reform

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – SB 759, sponsored by Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis, establishes the Missouri Parent/Teacher Involvement Program to provide grants in order to create home visit programs in public schools.

The bill was heard in the Seniors, Families and Pensions committee on Tuesday. Teachers would visit homes for two family meals and two meetings – one in the summer and one in the fall.

“The goal is to change parent behavior,” Karen Kalish said. “It’s the key to education reform. It’s the greatest intervention that can make the most difference.”

Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis
Sen. Scott Sifton, D-St. Louis

To qualify for the grant, 50 percent of teachers in a school would have to volunteer to perform home visits. Prior to visits, schools must establish an agreement with parents and teachers must receive training before conducting visits.

Kalish founded the Home Works! Program seven years ago. Home Works! has established home visit systems in several Missouri school districts: St. Louis Public Schools, University City, Hazelwood, Webster Groves, Valley Park, DeSoto and Columbia.

“I saw there was a need,” she said. “Kids are coming to school not ready to learn.”

Kalish reported that in the districts where Home Works! is active, grades and attendance are up and behavior issues have decreased.

“Parents who did not even finish high school are making their kids do Home Works!” Kalish said.

The fiscal impact of the bill is unknown, dependent on participating schools. The Department of Secondary and Elementary Education will administer the grants. Language allowing for home visits was a part of the larger education legislation, SB 493, that was recently passed by the Senate, Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, D-St. Louis said.

Home Works! is expanding. Kalish said she planned to visit Mexico, Mo., later on Tuesday. She said the program is looking to expand into Kansas City.

“Even in places like Clayton and Ladue,” she said. “Every single district has kids that are struggling.”