S. 375: Transition-to-Success Mentoring Act

The Transition-to-Success Mentoring Act aims to improve the transition for at-risk middle school students as they move into high school by establishing grants for school-based mentoring programs. Here are the key components of the bill:

Purpose of the Program

The bill seeks to create a program that provides mentoring support to assist eligible middle school students during their transition to high school. This program is designed for students who are considered at-risk, potentially due to their socio-economic circumstances or educational background.

Grant Awards

The Secretary of Education will award grants to eligible entities, including local educational agencies or partnerships with community organizations, to set up new mentoring programs or enhance existing ones. To receive a grant, applicants must demonstrate their focus on schools that serve children in high-poverty areas or rural locations, and those with high rates of community violence.

Priorities for Grant Recipients

The Secretary will prioritize grants for entities that:

• Serve students who are at significant risk, living in challenging environments.
• Offer programs for postsecondary education and career preparation, including job training and internships.
• Provide long-term mentoring, with a match between students and mentors lasting at least a full academic year.
• Involve students in the creation and operation of the mentoring programs.

Funding Uses

Grants must be used for:

• Launching new mentoring programs or supporting existing ones.
• Assigning each eligible student to a designated success coach.
• Creating personalized success plans with individual goals for students.
• Engaging parents in the support process through written agreements detailing their involvement.
• Regular meetings between success coaches and students, and periodic evaluations of student progress.

Authorized Funding Uses

Grant funds can also support:

• Training for success coaches in areas like trauma-informed practices and cultural competence.
• Recruiting and compensating success coaches.
• Conducting activities to aid student engagement with the school community.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of mentoring programs.

Duration and Reporting

Grants will be available for up to five years, and grantees will be required to submit annual reports on their program activities. This reporting will cover student participation, demographic data, academic achievement statistics, and overall progress toward the program goals.

Collaboration and Resources

The Secretary will collaborate with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide resources and training for mentoring programs. This will include access to best practices and transitional services for eligible students.

Definitions

Key terms are defined in the bill to clarify the scope of the mentoring program, including:

• Eligible entity: A local educational agency or a partnership with community organizations.
• Eligible student: A middle school student who is at-risk.
• Success coach: An individual assigned to provide support and guidance to eligible students.

Relevant Companies

• None found