• Recruit members who represent different stakeholders — administrators, teachers, support staff, students — and who share an interest in social and emotional skill building.
• Keep the team small and manageable (3-4 members); once it is assembled, add teachers who will implement the program.
• Clarify the decision-making process within the team and with the administrator who has final approval of the implementation plan.

STEP 2: Define Program Needs and Goals
What are you trying to accomplish? And why?

• Conduct a needs assessment that includes:
  
  • School data (absentee and tardy rates, discipline incidents, standardized test scores, GPA, course failures, retention and graduation rates)
  • State and district mandates (violence prevention, AYP, API)
  • Student and teacher surveys. Click to the Evaluation Toolkit for survey options.
    

• Use your data to:
  
  • Define measurable and attainable long- and short-term goals (attitudinal, behavioral, academic); See Evaluation Plan Matrix Sample, Column 1 for examples.
  • Decide what grade levels and/or student groups should receive the lessons. 

STEP 3: Design an Implementation Plan
What? When? Where? Who? How?

• Brainstorm and evaluate implementation options (e.g., freshman seminar, student advisory, academic integration).
• Select or design an implementation model, taking into account class schedule, budget, and teacher availability.
• Identify teachers with interest and experience in School-Connect objectives who would be available to teach School-Connect. Identify a lead teacher to guide and support the other teachers.
• Design a scope and sequence (which lessons are taught with what frequency and over what period of time) given your class schedule, student population, and goals. Use the S-C Implementation Plan as a guide.
• Create a budget to cover materials (one curriculum per teacher, workbooks if teaching all lessons) and staff compensation, if applicable.
• Research funding options. 
• Create a plan for preparing teachers to implement the curriculum .
• Consider piloting the program in one or two classes before implementing it on a larger scale.
• Share the implementation plan with administration and staff.
• Use the School-Connect Overview PowerPoint presentation to introduce others to the program.
  
  • Be open to and prepared for suggestions, questions, and reservations.
  • Revise the implementation plan, if necessary, based on feedback and available resources.

STEP 4: Initiate and Monitor Implementation
Ready? Set. Go!

• Supply one School-Connect manual per teacher.
• Prepare handouts (choose option below):
  
  • Student workbooks
  • Copy handouts from handout master (included in each lesson)
  • Print handouts from CD-Rom (included in Module 1-4 binder)
    **Many schools recommend making all handouts at the beginning of the quarter or semester, rather than daily or weekly.
    
• Prepare teachers to implement the program.
• Ask teachers to use the School-Connect Teacher Reflection Survey to reflect on their lesson implementation.
• Check in with the students and staff.
  
  • Consider using the S-C Implementation Log to gather teacher feedback.
  • Distribute the School-Connect Student Satisfaction Survey.
  • Distribute the School-Connect Teacher Satisfaction Survey.
  • Meet weekly, monthly, or quarterly to discuss implementation challenges and accomplishments, brainstorm potential solutions, and share success stories.

STEP 5: Evaluate Program Effects
Is the program being implemented effectively? Are program goals being met?

• See the School-Connect Evaluation Toolkit for assessment steps.

STEP 6: Make Course Corrections if Necessary
Is the program on track? Are any modifications needed?

• Discuss data results and feedback from students, teachers, administrators, and parents.
• Brainstorm solutions to any bumps in the road.
• Take time to acknowledge and celebrate progress; we often forge ahead without taking time to appreciate how far we've come.
  
  • Consider writing personal thank you notes or e-mails to students and colleagues.
  • Inform parents of positive behavioral changes in their children through personal notes or calls.
  • Include recognition in staff meetings or school assemblies.
• Publish evaluation data and anecdotal examples in the school newsletter or local paper.