Mentoring

Check & Connect (C&C) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based mentoring program designed to promote student engagement, reduce dropout rates, and support school completion. It pairs students at risk for disengagement with a trained mentor who provides long-term, consistent support through monitoring, relationship-building, and problem-solving.

At PaTTAN, we recognize the power of relationships in transforming student outcomes. Check & Connect helps schools strengthen their Tier II supports by addressing the root causes of disengagement and fostering lasting connections between students and school.

• Addresses Early Warning Signs: Targets students showing signs of academic or behavioral disengagement—such as chronic absenteeism, low grades, or behavior incidents—before they escalate.
• Builds Protective Relationships: Connects students with a trusted adult who serves as an advocate and mentor over time.
• Improves Outcomes: Proven to increase attendance, decrease behavior referrals, and improve graduation rates.
• Supports Equity: Provides individualized support that accounts for each student’s unique context, experiences, and needs.
• Strengthens Schoolwide Systems: Complements existing MTSS or PBIS frameworks by enhancing Tier II supports.

• Mentor Assignment: Each student is paired with a dedicated mentor who stays with them over an extended period (often 2+ years).
• Systematic Monitoring: Mentors regularly monitor data on student performance, attendance, behavior, and engagement.
• Check Component: Ongoing data collection helps identify patterns and triggers for disengagement.
• Connect Component: Mentors build trusting relationships and intervene with personalized support, motivation, and skill-building.
• Family Engagement: Mentors also work to build partnerships with families to support students’ school success.
• Problem-Solving Model: Focuses on skill-building, goal-setting, and navigating school challenges, rather than punishment.

• Start Small, Scale Smart: Begin with a pilot group of high-need students to build fidelity before expanding.
• Select the Right Mentors: Choose staff or community members who can commit long-term and build strong student relationships.
• Use Data to Identify Students: Look for attendance issues, academic struggles, and behavior trends to identify candidates for C&C.
• Ensure Training & Support: Invest in official Check & Connect training for mentors and leadership teams.
• Align with Tier II/III Systems: Coordinate with your MTSS or PBIS teams to ensure integration with other supports.
• Prioritize Consistency: Ensure mentors have protected time for regular student check-ins and data review.
• Track and Reflect: Use progress monitoring tools to review outcomes and adjust supports as needed.

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