Research

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes Check & Connect® as an evidence-based program that has positive effects for students staying in school (What Works Clearinghouse, 2015; Rumberger et al., 2017).

Initial research by Sinclair et al. (1998, 2005) indicated the following results:

  • Improved Persistence Towards Graduation: A five-year study found that students who participated in Check & Connect® were more likely to persist toward graduation, even if it took longer than four years to complete high school.
  • Increased Attendance: A study of high school students found that Check & Connect students attended school more consistently than their peers in the control group. Significant differences in attendance were observed in students' third, fourth, and fifth years of high school.
  • Increased Credit Accrual: A study of 7-9th grade students found that students who participated in the Check & Connect intervention were more likely to stay in school and earn more credits toward graduation compared to those who did not receive the intervention.
  • Support for Diverse Needs: The program has been effective for students with learning, emotional, or behavioral disabilities. These students were significantly more likely to have detailed transition plans in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to prepare them for life after high school.
  • Long-Term Impact: Check & Connect® mentors played a key role in helping students set goals and plan for the future, encouraging success well beyond high school.

By providing consistent mentorship and support, Check & Connect® equips students with the tools they need to overcome challenges, stay engaged, and plan for a successful future.

Evaluation logo of a magnifying glass evaluating data with circles around it showing it is a continued process.

Research on the Check & Connect® intervention has continued over the past decade, yielding promising results for students in need of support (Goulet et al., 2020; Janosz et al., 2019; Maynard et al., 2014; Powers et al., 2017; Strand & Lovrich, 2014). Studies have found improvements in graduation and GED attainment, attendance rates, academic performance, and behavioral outcomes. Positive effects on student engagement and reductions in disengagement were also noted, though outcomes varied based on factors like school culture and support systems.

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Research shows that successfully implementing Check & Connect® requires understanding how the program works within a school’s specific environment and the relationships between mentors, students, and the school community. Fidelity—following the program as designed—is important, but it also includes the ability to adjust the program to meet the needs of students and the school environment. While it’s essential to keep the core parts of Check & Connect® in place, success also depends on how engaged and flexible the staff are, and whether they see the program as practical and useful. In short, fidelity involves three things: sticking to the program’s key elements, adapting it to the school’s context, and ensuring staff remain committed and see its value (Goulet et al., 2018; Kloos et al., 2023; Powers et al., 2017; Tsai & Kern, 2019).

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Research has also demonstrated the efficacy of Check & Connect® in promoting engagement among elementary school students. In one study, K-6 students with truancy issues were paired with Check & Connect® mentors and 82% of students showed improved attendance (Lehr, Sinclair, & Christenson, 2004). Further, in a randomized controlled trial in Chicago Public Schools, participation in the program decreased absences in grades 5 to 7 by 22.9% (Guryan, et al., 2021). Next, the relationship between students and mentors was positively associated with school attendance (Anderson, et al., 2004) for elementary students. Finally, research on C&C in elementary schools has shown the importance of intervention fidelity on positive outcomes and how that relationship varies, depending on the implementation site (Goulet, et al., 2018).