How Do We Get Started?
This section offers suggestions for how a district should approach launching their elementary success mentor program, as well as resources that can be tailored to local realities. Here are seven key steps for developing an elementary success mentor program.
Ensure access to chronic absence data. Work with your district data staff to ensure regular access to chronic absence data in order to target your success mentor interventions and monitor whether progress is being made.
Determine priority grades. Now that your district has decided to focus on elementary grades, the district or the elementary school leadership will have to decide where to start. Will you start with a district focus on particular grades or allow participating schools to determine where to focus?
Recruit elementary schools. Because school site support is critical, consider launching the program with a small group of priority elementary schools with eager principals.
Invest in site coordination. Identify and invest in training a lead staff member at each site to coordinate, develop and implement the program.
Publicize the program. To ensure support for the program, notify parents and publicize the program to district, school staff and community partners.
Mentoring: Elementary Success Mentors Toolkit
- Mentoring: Elementary Success Mentors Introduction
- What is the Elementary Success Mentor Strategy?
- How Do We Get Started?
- What Does an Elementary Success Mentor Do?
- What Support is Needed from Schools?
- What Support is Needed from the District?
- How Do We Recruit, Screen, Train, Match and Support Success Mentors?
- Additional Resources
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