An essential ingredient of success is selecting the administrator in your district who will be responsible for launching and managing the program throughout the district. The ideal candidate would have the authority and skills to work across a variety of departments and community partners that need to be engaged and supportive. In addition to being comfortable with data, familiar with attendance, and experienced in working directly with school sites and principals, the district captain should be highly organized and able to creatively solve problems.

Since the district captain is typically an administrator who is already in place, consider choosing a person who is already overseeing related work that will be strengthened by the success mentor program.