New Bedford Teacher Home Visit Program Expands

Two more New Bedford schools are set to implement a program that connects the teacher to the students' home life.

The Parent Teacher Home Visit Program has already been in use for about two years at Carney Academy, Roosevelt Middle School, and Hayden-McFadden Elementary School.

The program has teachers visit with the families of two of their students, discussing their needs and parental involvement.

Acting Superintendent Michael Shea says the program has the ability to help students prepare for their futures.

Parent Dawn Hicks says her daughter, Dana, a fifth grader at carney academy, showed tremendous improvement after just the first visit.

New Bedford High School and Normandin Middle School are the latest to employ the completely voluntary program, which is fueled by federal grants, along with grants from Bay Coast Bank and the Island Foundation.