Check & Connect Online Resources
Online Mentoring Guide (PDF) - This guide offers strategies for fostering online relationships, planning conversations around school, and facilitating online interventions.
Check & Connect App - The Check & Connect web-based application (C&C App) helps C&C mentors and coordinators document, monitor, and report on student progress using their computer or tablet web browser.
Student Engagement Instrument (SEI) - The Student Engagement Instrument (SEI™) is a brief 35 item self-reporting survey measuring cognitive and affective engagement. Data allows school professionals to gain insights into a student’s sense of control, intrinsic motivation, and future aspirations (cognitive engagement factors).
*Readiness Tool for Implementing Check & Connect (PDF) - The Readiness Tool for Implementing Check & Connect (C&C) is designed for leadership teams to evaluate a site’s readiness to implement Check & Connect.
Mentor Practice Profile (PDF) - The purpose of this practice profile is to guide the C&C mentor through the implementation of the C&C Comprehensive Student Engagement Model. The critical components of the C&C mentor position include: building relationships with students; systematic monitoring and analysis of student-level “check” data; providing personalized “connect”
Check & Connect Video (4 min. 30 sec.) - The 4 1/2 minute introductory video shows perspectives of Check & Connect from students, mentors, teachers, and administrators across several different models of implementation.
Check & Connect Flyer (PDF)
Implementation Options & Funding Tips (PDF) - This resource explains the pros and cons of utilizing dedicated mentors, school staff, or community volunteers in the role of the Check & Connect mentor. Funding options and grant writing resources are also described.
Frequently Asked Questions - Find answers to a range of questions, including the background of Check & Connect, as well as specifically how Check & Connect can be implemented at your site.
Using Check & Connect with Existing Initiatives - Check & Connect fits well within multi-tiered systems of support as well as other district and school-wide initiatives.
Check & Connect Research Poster (PDF) - This research poster highlights how C&C is used, its development, its impact on students, and recent federally funded research.
Online Support Modules & Resources
"Check" Data
This self-paced online learning module focuses on how to maximize the use of data in your Check & Connect implementation.
After completing the module, learners will be able to:
- Identify the ABC’s of “Check” data
- Analyze “Check” data to assess for risk
Collaborating with Families
This self-paced online learning module focuses on how the mentor's relationship with families enhances family engagement.
After completing the module, learners will be able to:
- Understand the Four A’s (approach, attitudes, atmosphere, actions) as the foundation of establishing trusting relationships with families
- Identify a personal area for growth in engaging families such as:
- enhancing home-school communication
- home visits
- responding to parents' questions and concerns
- encouraging home support for learning
- Plan to improve engagement (two-way communication, collaboration, etc.) with families they serve
Family Engagement Reflection
This tool is designed to help mentors reflect on their family engagement practice as they progress through the Family Engagement Support Module above.
The Mentor Practice Profile (MPP)
This self-paced online learning module focuses on how to use the MPP to improve performance as a mentor.
After completing the module, learners will be able to:
- Understand how the MPP clearly articulates expectations of proficiency as a C&C mentor
- Use the MPP to identify their own strengths and areas for growth
- Develop a plan to enhance their efficacy
Planning for Mentor Professional Development
This self-paced online learning module focuses on how the C&C coordinator plans targeted professional development (PD) to support mentors' growth.
After completing the module, the learner will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of ongoing PD for mentors to ensure fidelity of implementation
- Identify mentors' strengths & areas for improvement
- Use C&C resources to plan data-driven PD
The Student Engagement Instrument (SEI)
This self-paced online learning module focuses on how to use data from the Student Engagement Instrument (SEI) to enhance student engagement.
After completing the module, learners will be able to:
- Recognize the purpose and uses of the SEI
- Interpret average total and subdomain scores of the SEI
- Use data from the SEI to individualize interventions for students
The Weekly “Connect” Meeting
This self-paced online learning module focuses on the weekly “Connect” meeting between the mentor and each student.
After completing the module, learners will be able to:
- Understand the four tasks of the basic intervention, or “Connect” Meeting. These tasks are:
- At Least Weekly:
- Share “Check” Data
- Provide feedback
- At Least Monthly:
- Discuss the importance of school
- Problem-solve WITH the student
- Apply the concepts demonstrated in examples of what the “Connect” meeting looks and sounds like
- Recognize that the mentor-student relationship is the critical foundation for achieving success with C&C interventions
The following tools are a small sampling of the electronic materials provided to participants at Check & Connect trainings. These tools are for Check & Connect mentors and coordinators working with youth at their site:
*Select resources developed by the University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration are funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Grant #H327S170015. These resources do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Tara Courchaine.
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