How is School-Connect implemented?
School-Connect lessons are implemented in a variety of courses and programs, including

	Freshman seminar (or freshman transition): usually a one- or two-semester course designed to ease students’ transition into high school socially, emotionally, and academically; most often presented in ninth grade but in some districts presented in eighth grade; a required course in schools implementing the smaller learning communities model
	Student advisory:  a guidance course facilitated by teachers that meets preferably 2-3 times a week throughout the year
	Special education classes: self-contained classes for at-risk students that address life skills and study strategies
	Ninth-Grade English: a grade-level course that uses School-Connect Literature Links and Writing Windows to integrate lesson content with novels, short stories, essays and poems found in most ninth grade English syllabi
	Health: a one-semester course that integrates School-Connect lessons and prevention strategies with health content
	Student Leadership: a one- or two-semester course that prepares and guides upper classmen in gaining School-Connect skills and presenting School-Connect lessons to incoming freshmen
	Out of school programs: community-based programs and courses that prepare youth for success in school, work, and life in general
Click for more information on Implementation.

Who should teach the curriculum?
Those who present the program should be comfortable with the concepts and strategies they will impart to students. It is helpful to have background and/or interest in social and emotional learning, character education, social skills training, drop-out prevention and/or violence prevention. Ideal presenters possess and apply many of these skills in their own life and see personal development as an ongoing, lifelong process—one that is both rewarding and enriching. Presenters, therefore, should be willing to work on skills they need to improve in themselves. This requires a certain amount of openness, humility, and humor on the part of teachers as they share the ups and downs of becoming socially and emotionally literate. Administrators should select presenters on this basis, rather than automatically assigning the course to teachers who happen to have a free period.

Do all implementing teachers need a curriculum?
In most cases, all teachers presenting the program should have a curriculum. The curriculum may be shared among 2-3 teachers if the modules are implemented in different courses. The lessons may not be photocopied without written permission from the publisher.
Click here for information on Copyright and Permissions.

How long are the lessons?
Most lessons can be completed in one 45-minute class period. Estimated times for various activities are provided within the lesson format as an aid to teachers in pacing the lesson or fitting the lesson into shorter class periods, such as advisory. About a third of the lessons require two days apiece (i.e., two 45-minute class sessions). 

Do I need to teach all the lessons or teach them in order?
Within a module, lessons are sequential and many build on one another. However, by choosing carefully, you may implement selected lessons within a module. Modules are also sequential but may be split among grade levels. Module 1 introduces key program strategies and sets the stage for the other modules; it should always be presented prior to other modules.  Modules 2 and 3 complement each other but may be presented separately.  Module 4 builds primarily on Modules 1 and 2 because empathy and self-management are important to problem solving and conflict resolution.

How can I involve parents?
Parents learn about School-Connect primarily through homework assignments their children discuss and complete with them. Parents may also learn about the program through a brief Power Point presentation given by teachers who have attended School-Connect training. 

Previewing and Purchasing

Can I preview the program?
To preview School-Connect, we provide down-loadable copies (in pdf format) of

	Teacher’s Guide including information on program rationale and description, implementation models, curriculum format, and teaching strategies.
	Sample Lessons (one from each module) that you may try out in class

The program preview should provide you with a general understanding of curriculum content and the depth of the lessons. We are sorry that we are unable to ship actual preview copies of the entire curriculum; however, we offer a money-back guarantee. 
Click here to preview the program.

Can I contact School-Connect users?
Please email us if you would like to contact educators who implement School-Connect either in your region or in a similar setting to yours. While we have designated spokespersons in districts across the country, it may take time to locate and receive permission to release contact information for a person in your region.

Has School-Connect been evaluated? 
School-Connect received positive results from a formative evaluation. As part of the development process, the curriculum was piloted in English, health, and life skills classes in Washington D.C.-area schools during the 2004-2005 school year. Teachers who used the curriculum regularly reported that students showed improved effort on academic assignments and more involvement in class discussions than their students had in past years.
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CASEL gave the program high marks for comprehenssive content and effective teaching strategies. The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) based at the University of Illinois in Chicago assessed a pilot draft of the curriculum using an instrument designed to measure coverage of social and emotional competency areas. The curriculum received the highest score (Program Strength) in four out of five competency areas. Subsequently, School-Connect authors added a lesson on negotiation skills to strengthen the remaining competency area.
WestEd, a non-profit educational research and technical assistance organization, is piloting an evaluation instrument for School-Connect, and seeking funding for an outcome study of the curriculum. If your local educational agency (school or district) would like to be considered for an outcome study, please contact Julea Douglass at
jdouglass@school-connect.net.

How can I purchase the program?
School-Connect may be purchased with a

	Signed purchase order from your district, school or organization (faxed or mailed)
	Visa or Master Card (either through our online store or over the phone)
	A check or money order accompanied by an order form
Click here for more information.

How can I register the company School-Connect as a vendor in my district?
Email or fax (866-439-0581) us to request a completed W-9 and/or other documents required by your district (e.g., sole source letter). We will email them to you as an attachment, usually within the same business day. 

How much is shipping?
Within the continental U.S. and Canada, shipping and handling is 7% of the total order ($10 minimum). Outside of this area, charge is based on actual cost. Recipients are responsible for customs tax billed by their government.

How long will it take to receive my order?
Within the continental United States orders are normally delivered within 5 to 7 business days. East Coast deliveries can take as little as three business days.

How can I get funding for School-Connect?
Click here for information updates on funding sources.

Training

Do I need training in order to implement School-Connect?
Training is not required to purchase the program. The lessons are designed for ease of use, but whether training is needed depends on the comfort level and experience of individual teachers. Teachers with a background in special education, psychology, and/or counseling attest to feeling immediately comfortable presenting the program. If your school or organization is planning to implement School-Connect within a grade level or in all grade levels, then it is very beneficial to attend a School-Connect Institute and/or receive on-site training and support from trained facilitators.

What kinds of training do you offer?
We offer one-day staff training and a 1.5-day teacher training through School-Connect Institutes. Or, you can contract for an on-site training at your school or organization. 
Click for more information about training.