Conducting Successful Home Visits in Multicultural Communities

Abstract

The connection between home and school is vital in the success of all students; however, this connection faces a significant challenge when educators and caregivers do not share a common language or culture. With the increase of immigrant children in schools today, educators cannot assume that all parents will understand the U.S. school system and its expectations. One means of achieving purposeful dialogue between home and school is through home visits. Drawing on the professional literature and personal experiences of in-service educators, this article describes the process for conducting successful home visits in multicultural communities. It also discusses alternative ways of working with those families who do not wish to have school personnel come to their homes. The ideas presented are applicable to the teacher as well as the teacher educator who wishes to address and apply this important form of communication between educators and non-native English speaking families.