Document Type
Poster
Presentation Date
4-12-2018
Department
Special Education and Literacy Studies
Abstract
The School Connection Program originally began as a WMU-initiated, community engaged effort to develop and implement an off-site alternative to school suspension for high-need Middle School students in southwestern Michigan county. The original purpose of the program was (a) to provide an off-site location for academic, social, and emotional supports to students separated from their K-12 school setting due to suspension and (b) to ensure that when the student returns to school, they are returning with tools that will help them stay better connected to school and less likely to be suspended again while addressing academic deficits in the areas of Math and English Language Arts. Pilot data on program effectiveness shows an average overall decrease in in-school suspensions, absences, rates of office referral, and an increase in academic performances for School Connection Scholars. The slight increase in suspension was rectified and a new behavior plan implemented in the school for affected students.
WMU ScholarWorks Citation
Wallace, Luchara, "The School Connection Program: Strengths, Challenges, and Next Steps" (2018). Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award (FRACAA). 62.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/fracaa/62
School Connection Program Summary Report