An investigation of the role of the visiting teacher in the public schools of Texas

Abstract

Lack of uniformity and very diverse practices in visiting teacher work necessitated the investigation of the role of the school social worker in the public schools of Texas. A questionnaire was designed with much help from practicing visiting teachers to solicit information concerning the work of the visiting teacher. Areas of interest included the district in which programs existed; educational and work experience background; job titles, supervisor, working associates; casework load and case procedure; opinions concerning desirable characteristics of the successful visiting teacher; and how certain school personnel would be ranked by position of authority and by positon of prestige. The names and addresses of all visiting teachers in Texas were obtained and a questionnaire sent to each. Questionnaires were also sent to visiting teachers in Louisiana and Virginia since these states are near Texas or have had visiting teacher programs for a long time. These returns were used as a control or comparison group. Two hundred ten questionnaires were returned in usable form in Texas. This constituted a 60% return. Thirty-six returns were used from Louisiana and thirty-eight from Virginia visiting teachers. ...