Additional Program Information

Developer and contact

Check & Connect was developed by the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota, as a partnership of researchers, practitioners, parents, and students. More information and additional references to research about the program can be found at http://ici.umn.edu/checkandconnect, or by sending an email to info@icimail.education.umn.edu.

Scope of use

The Check & Connect model has been used in Minneapolis public schools with middle and high school students who have learning, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. The model has been replicated in eight school districts in Dakota County, Minnesota as part of an initiative targeted at chronically truant youth. The model also has been used in three school districts in Dakota County in an effort to reduce truancy among elementary school students.

Description of intervention

Check & Connect has two main components: “Check” and “Connect. ” The Check component is designed to continually assess student engagement through close monitoring of student performance and progress indicators (including the student’s attendance, incidence of suspensions, course grades, and credits). The Connect component involves program staff giving individualized attention to students, in partnership with school personnel, family members, and community service providers.

These program components are implemented by the Check & Connect “monitor,” who functions as the student’s mentor and case worker. Monitors provide basic intervention for all students on their caseload, as well as intensive intervention—which is more frequent and individualized—for students as needed. Basic interventions involve regular structured discussions between the monitor and student—at least twice a month for secondary students and weekly for elementary and middle school students—about their progress in school and problem-solving steps to resolve conflict and cope with challenges. When intensive interventions are required because of particularly poor attendance or school performance, they are tailored to students’ specific circumstances. Intensive interventions focus on three areas of support: problem-solving (including mediation and social skills development), academic support (through homework assistance, schedule changes, and tutoring), and recreational and community service exploration. In addition, the program focuses on family outreach, with frequent contact and collaboration between home and school.

In the Check & Connect programs described in this intervention report, monitoring positions were staffed by graduate students and community members with either bachelors degrees in human services-related fields or equivalent experience. Program coordinators, who oversaw the program and supervised the monitors, were typically special education coordinators, school psychologists, or special education resource teachers.

Cost

Program developers report that implementing Check & Connect in secondary schools cost about $1,400 a student per year in the 2001–02 school year. ³