Funded by OSEP #H327A100082

Howard Wills & Ben Mason

Juniper Gardens Children’s ProjectThe University of Kansashpwills@ku.edu

Self-Management and Mentoring to Meet Special Needs in Inclusive Settings

I-CONNECT:

THE NEED

OVER 50% of High School Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders or Learning Disabilities DROP OUT

For this group, necessary supports have to be in place in order for them to graduate and move on to postsecondary employment and education

Necessary Supports

• Necessary supports include guidance and assistance in:

1) Meeting minimum classroom expectations2) Staying engaged in class3) Problem-solving difficulties and setting goals

Meeting minimum expectations

“80% of life is showing up”Woody Allen

We would also include showing up on time, and with homework in hand. Missing homework is one of the primary causes of failing grades even when classroom content is mastered

GRADUATION!

Completing Homework

Assignments

Arriving On Time

Attendance

A GOOD DAY TOWARDS GRADUATION

Staying engaged

• Engagement includes on-task (am I working?), but also includes meeting behavioral expectations (am I appropriate?), metacognitive comprehension checks (do I understand the task?), and self-directed calls for assistance (do I need to ask a question?).

Without the second half, many students can work very intensely and still fall behind

Problem-solving

• The role of a supportive adult as a critical component of at-risk student success is well established

• That adult can be a coach, a teacher, or a school-based mentor that provides praise, feedback and problem solves difficulties that are going to happen

I-Connect includes all three in the treatment package

1) Meeting minimum classroom expectations (electronic check-in procedures addressing timeliness, and homework)

2) Staying engaged in class (electronically cued self-monitoring)

3) Problem-solving difficulties that arise (school-based mentoring once a week to praise and problem solve)

OVERVIEW OF HOW IT WORKS

• Initial planning meeting in which the student and school-based mentor meet and decide on goals and which classes need monitoring

• Student monitors in class (student data is automatically uploaded to the server)

• Student and Mentor meet weekly to review and plan along with class data / problem solve and set goals for the upcoming week

The monitoring process

• Uses cell phones or mobile devices that are common to students

Students use mobile device to monitor

I-Connect Start Screen

SELECT CLASS

Arriving ON TIME?

Monitoring Citizenship Goals

Monitoring Citizenship Goals Continued

Device Flashes or Vibrates at Intervals to PROMPT…

SAMPLE OUTCOMES

Student L

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Baseline Baseline

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Student B

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Baseline Baseline

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InterventionIntervention

Student C

Linking one successful day to anotherPersistent Mentor Self-management

I-ConnectWhy Did You Graduate

www.iwillgraduate.org