Mentoring as an intervention has strong evidence supporting its efficacy. When students lack meaningful relationships with adults, this a highly effective intervention to try as it connects each student with a supportive and caring staff member or other adult.
When kicking off a mentoring program, first identify a group of caring adults that are interested in becoming mentors. Next, train them to increase student’s connectedness to school through positive relationships as well as address underlying causes of absenteeism.
When designing a mentoring program:
Ensure mentors have good interpersonal skills and are able to build a strong relationship with the student
Ideally, mentors meet with their students once a week, for a year
Ensure one highly trained staff member supervises and coordinates the intervention
Hold monthly check-ins with mentors in order to monitor data
encourage mentors to keep an informal log of what occurs at each session
Provide training for mentors on skills needed + provide structure and activities:
Identify and celebrate student strengths & accomplishments
Set goals with students
Provide positive incentives for growth through structured reinforcement systems
Do community based service projects together
Problem solve difficulties in or outside of school
Connect with additional supports
Teach students how to self-advocate
Work on academic skills, organizational habits or social skills
The University of Minnesota has designed a mentoring program called Check & Connect. Learn more about it here.
Here is an online guide for kicking off a mentoring program.