ENGAGE South Carolina – Attendance Recovery Program
ENGAGE South Carolina is a statewide partnership offered by the South Carolina Department of Education to South Carolina’s local education agencies to assist schools and families disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing intensive outreach, engagement, and enhanced support for students in grades K-12. This program is free for participating districts.
Program Overview
ENGAGE South Carolina assists districts in supporting students and families who disengaged or are struggling to make learning work during this challenging time. This program builds connections that result in improved attendance, engagement, and academic success. Through ENGAGE South Carolina, students in grades k-12 who may be experiencing struggles adapting to new learning schedules and environments will be able to access the support they need to be successful.
The program starts with a multi-modal outreach strategy designed to reach eligible students and families via phone, mail, text message, US mail, and social media. Once re-connected, students are given the opportunity to work with a dedicated coach through the end of the school year. The coach helps to identify and mitigate the barriers to student engagement, helps the student learn the skills necessary to succeed in a new learning environment (whether it is in-person or virtual), and provides the support the student needs to stay engaged, helping them continue their educational journey and progress toward graduation.
As we work toward the ultimate goal of a full and safe re-opening of our schools, this program will help students stay on track for continued success.
Which Students Qualify?
There are many reasons why a student might be disengaged right now — and, as our data shows, even those who were successful in their classes before the public health crisis may be struggling. This is not their fault, nor is it the fault of their teachers or their schools. Whether in-person or virtual, learning environments have shifted in profound ways and many students are struggling with this change. The following students qualify to participate in the ENGAGE South Carolina program. Students who are in grade k-12 and who:
●did not engage in their LEA’s in-person or remote education offerings in Spring or Fall 2020; or
●are chronically absent*; or
●are in danger of failing one or more classes*; or
●are McKinney Vento eligible or are in foster care*; or
●students whose families have requested additional support.*
*These criteria apply to both students participating in remote and in-person education offerings.
On-Going Support Levels
Graduation Alliance’s Ongoing Support Levels are delivered through Academic Coaches and vary based on the Ongoing Support Level to which the student is assigned. The engagement with students could range from daily outreach to periodic check-ins with students and their families.