DC Teachers Visit Students' Homes

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After dropping an unruly kid into his seat, a no-no, David Levin, a Houston teacher felt so upset that he went to the boy's home, another thing he'd been told never to do, and apologized to the boy and his mother.

Surprisingly, the woman was pleased with her first teacher visit. Since the boy behaved somewhat better, David and fellow teacher, Mike Feinberg, started regular home visits, and have made them part of the KIPP Charter Network they founded.

Now, twenty years later some traditional public schools are following suit. The Washington Post highlights Kristen Whitaker, the catalyst behind 200 home visits this school year. If visits at home don't work, she suggests Starbucks or another comfortable place. No surprise visits, no taking notes, mostly listening.

Teachers in the DC district's new Family Engagement Partnership in 21 schools are paid $34 a visit, and work in pairs.

Research is underway to gauge whether visits raise achievement.