Illinois Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Directory

Transcription

1 Illinois Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Directory Illinois State Board of Education Special Education and Support Services Division Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program (TAOEP) Sally Veach, Principal Education Consultant V. Sue Taylor, Principal Education Consultant Joni Deems, Professional Development Director

2 Illinois Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Directory Volume 16 December 2015 Prepared in Partnership with: Regional Office of Education # S. Lafayette - Suite 200 Macomb IL Phone: (309) Fax: (309) Web site: Illinois State Board of Education 100 North First Street Springfield IL Phone: (217) Fax: (217) Web site: Publication Designed By: Joni Deems

3 Illinois Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Directory Table of Contents Introduction College Programs Black Hawk College - Optional Education Program John A. Logan College - Adult Secondary Education Kishwaukee College, District Right To Succeed Program and Restart Program Lake Land College - Pathways Lewis and Clark Community College - Enriched GED Program Regional Office of Education Programs ROE #1 Adams/Brown/Cass/Morgan/Pike/Scott - Abolish Chronic Truancy Program (ACT) ROE #3 Bond/Christian/Fayette/Effingham/Montgomery - Alternative Education Programs ROE #4 Boone/Winnebago - Regional Attendance Coop/Regional Learning Center ROE #6 West Cook - West 40 TAOEP ROE #8 Carroll/JoDaviess/Stephenson - TAOEP Program ROE #9 Champaign-Ford - Attendance Improvement Program ROE #11 Clark/Cumberland/Coles/Douglas/Edgar/Moultrie/Shelby - A.I.M ROE #12 Clay/Crawford/Jasper/Lawrence/Richland - TAOEP ROE #13 Clinton/Jefferson/Marion/Washington - TAOEP Program ROE #16 DeKalb - Truancy Intervention Program ROE #17 DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean - TAOEP ROE #19 DuPage County - TAOEP ROE #20 Edward/Gallatin/Hamilton/Hardin/Pope/Saline/Wabash/Wayne/White - Learning Alternative Branch ROE #24 Grundy/Kendall - TAOEP ROE #26 Fulton/Hancock/McDonough/Schuyler - STAY-IN ROE #26 Fulton/Hancock/McDonough/Schuyler - TAOEP Professional Development ROE #28 Bureau/Henry/Stark - Assisting Children in Education (ACE) ROE #30 Alexander/Jackson/Perry/Pulaski/Union - TAOEP Program ROE #31 Kane - Truancy Prevention Program

4 Illinois Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Directory Table of Contents ROE #32 Iroquois/Kankakee - I-KAN Attendance Assistance Program ROE #33 Henderson/Knox/Mercer/Warren - Project ADEPT ROE #34 Lake - PASS ROE #35 LaSalle/Marshall/Putnam Attendance Awareness and Optional Education ROE #39 Macon/Piatt - Futures Unlimited ROE #40 Calhoun/Greene/Jersey/Macoupin - TAOEP ROE #41 Madison - Madison County TAP ROE #45 Monroe/Randolph - Right Track Truancy Prevention ROE #47 Lee/Ogle/Whiteside - Dropout Intervention System ROE #48 Peoria - Project Target ROE #49 Rock Island - Prevention Services Program ROE #50 St. Clair - St. Clair County TAOEP ROE #51 Menard/Sangamon- Sangamon County Learning Academy ROE #53 Mason/Tazewell/Woodford - Truancy and Credit Recovery Program ROE #54 Vermilion - Vermilion County TAOEP Program ROE #56 Will - TAOEP Program District Programs Alton Community Unit School District #11 - Alton Success Academy Aurora East School District #131 - The Advantage Program Belleville High School District #201 - Alternative Education Bloom High School District #206 - TAOEP Program Cahokia CUSD #187 - CHS Alternative Education Program Cairo USD #1 - Cairo Truancy/Intervention/Supplemental Services Program (CTISP) Carbondale Community High School District #165 - Rebound Carlinville CUSD #1 - TAOEP Century CUSD #100 - PACE Cooperative Champaign CUSD #4 - TAOEP Program Chicago Public Schools #299 - Attendance Improvement & Truancy Intervention Community High School District #218 - Delta Learning Center Decatur Public School District #61 - TAOEP Program East Richland Community Unit School District #1 - TAOEP Program East St. Louis School District #189 - Education & Truancy Intervention Program

5 Table of Contents Illinois Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Directory Table of Contents Edwards County CUSD #1 - TAOEP Program Eldorado Unit #4 - TAOEP Program Evanston CCSD #65 - TAOEP Program Galesburg Community Unit District #205 - TAOEP Program Gallatin County Community Unit School District #7 - TAOEP Program Hamilton County Community Unit School District #10 - TAOEP Program Jersey Community Unit School District #100 - TAOEP Program LaSalle-Peru Township High School District #120 - Attendance Advocacy Program Lincoln Community High School District #404 - Project Lift Mt. Vernon Township High School District #201 - TAOEP Program PORTA Community Unit District #202 - TAOEP Program Quincy School District #172 - TAOEP Program Rockford Public Schools District #205 - Rockford Attendance Initiative Round Lake Area Unit School District #116 - TAOEP Program Thornton Fractional District #215 - TAOEP Program Thornton Township High School District #205 - TAOEP Urbana School District #116 - Urban Adult Education Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 - Alternative Optional Education Center

6 Introduction What is the Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program? Section of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/2-3.66) authorizes the State Board of Education to provide grants for the establishment of pilot Truants Alternative and Optional Education Programs (TAOEP). These programs serve students with attendance problems and/or dropouts up to and including those who are 21 years of age and provide truancy prevention and intervention services to students and their parents and/or serve as part-time or full-time options to regular school attendance. Programs, which primarily provide truancy prevention and intervention services, integrate resources of the school and community to meet the needs of the students and parents. Optional education programs, on the other hand, serve as part-time or full-time options to regular school attendance and offer modified instructional programs or other services designed to prevent students from dropping out of school. What are the Services? TAOEP services include prevention and/or intervention and optional education programs designed to prevent students from dropping out of school. Services include: Counseling Tutoring Mentoring Childcare Transportation Summer school Evening school, and Alternative school The primary goals of the program are to reduce student truancy and dropout rates. What are the Requirements? All projects in this program are required to develop a community-based program plan. Comprehensive community-based program planning results in the development of the program goals and objectives and a strategic plan. The development of the strategic plan should be supported by an analysis of social, human services and academic needs of students within the context of school improvement. The development of program goals and objectives as well as the process of identifying local/community resources in support of program services should evolve from collaborative discussion among a group of program stakeholders and/or partners, such as, but not limited to, the business community, government agencies, parents, local school administrators, teachers and students. Using in part the results of a comprehensive community-based program planning process, each TAOEP project must make use of the services available from schools, social service agencies, businesses, and other regional and local community entities. Projects should work to coordinate their efforts with those of others concerned with the welfare of children, including school district personnel, social service and community agencies, businesses, parents or guardians, court representatives, and staff advisory groups. An individualized optional education plan (IOEP) or service plan must be developed for each 1

7 student served in the TAOEP. This plan is developed with the participation of school officials, the student, and/or the student s parents or legal guardians (if the student is less than 18 years old). Plans should outline an individual student s academic, social and/or vocational skill needs as well as goals, objectives, and various educational experiences needed to reach those goals and objectives. In development of the IOEP, consideration must be given to results of diagnostic procedures conducted for the student. These diagnostic procedures shall include, but need not be limited to, teachers observations test/assessment scores, an interview with the youth, consultation with the youth s parent(s) or guardian(s), a review of the youth s academic history and current educational functioning, and an assessment of the youth s learning environment. The assessment may also include consideration of the student s need for mental health and social services. The individualized optional education or service plan developed for each student must specifically include: (1) Learning objectives or individual outcomes, such as increased school attendance, course credit, graduation, gains in achievement level or employment; (2) The basis on which the student is referred to the program; (3) The services that will be provided in relation to the student s educational needs to achieve learning objectives or individual outcomes; (4) Assessment procedures to determine the degree to which the student is achieving his or her learning objectives or individual outcomes; and (5) Appropriate time period during which the student is expected to achieve those objectives or outcomes. Eligible Applicants Public school districts, regional offices of education, community college districts, charter schools, area vocational centers, and public university laboratory schools approved by the State Board of Education are eligible to apply for either or both programs. Joint applications for funds may be submitted. However, in each case an administrative agent must be designated, and the joint proposal must have the signature of each superintendent or the official authorized to submit the proposal. 2

8 College Programs Black Hawk College John A. Logan College Kishwaukee College Lake Land College Lewis and Clark Community College 3

9 Black Hawk College - Optional Education Program Black Hawk College th Avenue Moline IL Phone: (309) Website: Glenda Nicke 301 Avenue of the Cities East Moline, IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Rock Island, Henry and Mercer The Optional Education Program has functioned as a collaborative effort between Black Hawk College and the six ROE #49 school districts that serve high school youth for over thirty years. The program is a key component in the region s continuum of educational options available for dropouts and potential dropouts. Distinguishing elements include: variable entry/exit at three-week intervals, individualized instruction, student choice, and focus on social and career as well as academic development. Academic services include both high school and high school equivalency instruction during the academic year and summer school. Non-academic courtrelated, life skills, monitoring, parenting, referral, mentoring, and family support services are also offered through TAOEP funds. Leveraged funds from other sources expand the number of academic classes and provide tutoring, career and work experience, college classes, and transportation support. Student outcomes will include one or more of the following: earned high school credit, earned high school diploma, readiness for high school equivalency testing, completion of one or more equivalency tests, earned high school equivalency credential, increase in Reading or Math scores, return to traditional school, completion of a career plan, passing score in a life skills curriculum, and/or improved attendance. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Black Hawk College Outreach Center & Black Hawk College Adult Learning Center 4

10 John A. Logan College - Adult Secondary Education (ASE) John A. Logan Community College 700 Logan College Road Carterville IL Phone: (618) Website: Crystal Hosselton 700 Logan College Road Carterville IL Phone: (618) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Williamson and Franklin - Jackson and Perry (In lieu of expulsion only) The Adult Secondary Education (ASE) program at John A. Logan College provides intervention services through: 1) an optional learning opportunity to dropout and potential dropout youth and 2) a credit recovery opportunity to potential dropout youth with academic problems associated with attendance issues. The following services are provided through the ASE programming: 1. An intensive, comprehensive, full-day educational program for dropout and potential dropout youth that includes education (academic instruction), academic and personal counseling, support services, community internships, workplace readiness, and volunteer activities. 2. A supportive educational summer and evening program that allows potential dropout youth with truancy issues the opportunity to earn high school credit and remain on track for high school graduation. 3. A supportive program of counseling and communication for students, parents, and staff facilitated by on-staff counselors and licensed social workers/counselors. 4. A program of assessment and counseling in academic, vocational, and life skill areas. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: John A. Logan College 5

11 Kishwaukee College Right To Succeed Program and Restart Program Kishwaukee College Malta Road Malta IL Phone: (815) Website: Joanne Kantner Malta Road Malta IL Phone: (815) Ext Counties Served: DeKalb, Ogle, and Lee Counties within Kishwaukee College District 523 The TAOEP program provides educational and support services to re-enrolled high school dropouts age 16-21, as well as truants, chronic truants, and potential dropouts in grades The Right to Succeed Program at Kishwaukee College assists students who have dropped from school obtain a high school equivalency certificate. It provides academic counseling services, case management, and support services to assist students in meeting their educational and career goals. The Phoenix Program at Kishwaukee Education Consortium is an in-school program that provides counseling and truancy court/social work services for truants/chronic truants/potential dropouts and retrieved dropouts. All day remedial math and reading classes as well as other core curricular subjects are provided through the alternative school program. These programs utilize community resources and services and promote partnerships with business and industry. Referrals to community and employment services are coordinated to develop opportunities and career pathways for students as they prepare for a productive future. Program objectives reflect increased attendance and academic achievement. Skills for student success, such as respect, responsibility, critical thinking/problem solving, teamwork, community involvement, and lifelong learning are emphasized to prepare them for further education and employment. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 6-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Kishwaukee College, Kishwaukee Education Consortium 6

12 Lake Land College - Pathways to the Future Lake Land College 5001 Lake Land Blvd. Mattoon IL Phone: (217) Website: Dirk Muffler 305 Richmond E Mattoon IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Shelby, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Cumberland, Clark, Edgar and Effingham With cooperation from ROE #3 and #11, Pathways to the Future will be provided in the Lake Land College District for the 26th year. Pathways will continue to offer services to students between the ages of years who have either dropped out of high school or are at risk of doing so. Students entering into the Pathways program will either receive instruction toward the completion of their high school diploma or GED certificate. Courses included within their instruction will include parenting education, life skills training, vocational education, and job-seeking and keeping skills. Pathways will also offer tutoring, mentoring, and service learning opportunities throughout the year. Students will also be afforded the opportunity to ear dual-credits through our relationship with Lake Land College. Instruction, including those for students with credit deficiencies, will satisfy ISBE State Goals for Learning and those of local high schools and boards. Pathways will be offered in five communities utilizing Lake Land College facilities in Mattoon and Effingham. Pathways will also be offered in Casey, Marshall and Shelbyville as well. Classes will be held full-time, six hours a day at each site. Each site will be staged by a certified teacher and classroom assistant. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Effingham, Casey, Shelbyville, Mattoon and Marshall. 7

13 Lewis and Clark Community College - Enriched GED Program Lewis and Clark Community College 5800 Godfrey Rd. Godfrey IL Phone: (618) Website: Valorie K. Harris 5800 Godfrey Rd. Godfrey IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, Greene and Calhoun For the past 26 years, there has been consensus between LCCC and area high schools to transition high school aged youth who have officially dropped out of high school by enrolling them in LCCC s GED program. LCCC s Enriched GED program will provide an optional education program for 75 youth enrolled in GED classes at five locations. Many of these youth have also dropped from alternative schools for them, this program is often the last resort to earn certification for secondary learning. The purpose of enriched GED is to enhance the experience of students through ABE/GED instruction by adding structure and support to improve prospects of successful transitions through the GED program to college or work. Students attend a comprehensive orientation where they set goals and are given assessments. Based on the results, they are either placed concurrently into career development and GED preparation, where they focus on getting their GED while creating a transition plan that will lead to college and/or work, or they are placed into Evidence-based Reading Instruction to focus on improving reading skills and transitioning to GED-level coursework. Students complete an IOEP with a counselor and receive intense counseling services. Through these interventions, students will improve basic skills, receive GEDs, and develop an understanding of themselves that will serve as a foundation for their next step to college and/or work. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Dropout Grade of Students Served: Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, LC Scott Bibb Center in Alton 8

14 Regional Office of Education Programs ROE #1 ROE #3 ROE #4 ROE #6 ROE #8 ROE #9 ROE #11 ROE #12 ROE #13 ROE #16 ROE #17 ROE #19 ROE #20 ROE #24 ROE #26 ROE #28 ROE #30 ROE #31 ROE #32 ROE #33 ROE #34 ROE #35 ROE #39 ROE #40 ROE #41 ROE #45 ROE #47 ROE #48 ROE #49 ROE #50 ROE #51 ROE #53 ROE #54 ROE #56 9

15 ROE #1 Adams/Brown/Cass/Morgan/Pike/Scott - Abolish Chronic Truancy Program (ACT) ROE #1 Adams/Brown/Cass/Morgan/Pike/Scott Jill Reis, Regional Supt. 507 Vermont Street Quincy IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Wayne Hummel 507 Vermont Street Quincy IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Adams, Brown, Cass, Morgan, Pike and Scott The goal of the newly consolidated ROE #1 TAOEP program takes a holistic approach to truancy by providing intervention services and educational opportunities that improve school attendance, enhance academic performance, and encourage positive attitudes towards education. TAOEP staff will develop a professional relationship with students and families based on caring, trust, and respect while providing interactions such as home visits, phone contacts, and one-on-one counseling with the student, family, and school, as they provide curriculum and/or monitor school attendance. An Individualized Attendance Plan is created for each student based on the individual s attendance, needs, and potential. Services will be implemented to attain attendance goals set. TAOEP intervention programming initially provides supportive intervention to students age 6-17 at four days of truancy with additional, ongoing supports offered throughout the year but specifically at seven and nine day intervals of truancy. The optional education component for TAOEP at ROE #1 offers an alternative educational opportunity to at-risk students grade 9-12 at the Lafayette School in Jacksonville. The academy not only offers a classroom setting to students in need but also counseling and support to help the students become educated, literate, and employable upon high school graduation. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-21 Program Sites: Quincy, Pittsfield, Beardstown and Jacksonville 10

16 ROE #3 Bond/Christian/Effingham/Fayette/Montgomery - Alternative Education Programs ROE #3 Bond/Christian/Effingham/Fayette/Montgomery Julie Wollerman, Regional Supt. 300 South 7th Street Vandalia IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Contact Persons: Julie Wollerman 300 South 7th Street Vandalia, IL Phone: [email protected] Counties Served: Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette and Montgomery The goals of the ROE #3 are to provide an alternative/optional education program in grades 9-12 for high school dropouts, truants and chronic truants, as well as provide truancy intervention/prevention services at the K-9 level to students with irregular attendance. The first goal will be achieved through New Approach and Aspire Alternative High Schools. The two high schools will provide a setting where credits can be generated toward graduation. 20 school districts in the five-county area will partner and provide the necessary educational components and social services needed for student success. Credit recovery classes will target truant and credit-deficient students. The alternative high schools will provide students with the opportunity to successfully return to their home school and/or graduate while focusing highly on transition to the post secondary level. The second goal will be met through the Regular Attendance Program (RAP). Truancy intervention/prevention services will be provided at the kindergarten through ninth grade levels to promote regular school attendance. Networking between RAP, other agencies, and the home school will be performed by the RAP attendance specialist to ensure success for the student and his/her family. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Effingham and Vandalia 11

17 ROE #4 Boone/Winnebago - Regional Attendance Coop/Regional Learning Center ROE #4 Boone/Winnebago Dr. Lori Fanello, Regional Supt. 300 Heart Boulevard Loves Park IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Harold Sweeney 5949 Safford Rd Rockford IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Counties Served: Boone and Winnebago The Regional Attendance Cooperative (RAC) is the only program to provide support to the school districts of Boone and Winnebago Counties, excluding Rockford District #205, with truancy intervention efforts. The RAC realizes the district is responsible for primary intervention, but when the district s efforts fail to improve attendance, students will be referred to the TAOEP program. Upon referral, an individual plan is established with the input of the student and parents/guardians which will effectively use program and community resources to address the root cause of the truancy and assist the student/family to have a successful school experience. By the philosophy of the program, should intervention efforts fail to correct the truancy problem, and we file a petition for truancy or educational neglect with the States Attorney, we have failed in our efforts of intervention. The Regional Learning Center (RLC) provides Alternative/Optional Education to students ages 16 to 21 years old who reside in Boone or Winnebago County and have experienced school failure which has led to a decision to drop out of school and now seek to return to complete their education. The RLC accesses community resources to meet the needs of our students to become successful participants and productive citizens upon completion of the program. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional/Alternative Education Students Served: Retrieved Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Rockford and Belvidere 12

18 ROE #6 West Cook West 40 TAOEP West 40 ISC #2 Dr. Mark Klaisner, Exec. Director 4413 Roosevelt Rd Suite 104 Hillside, IL Phone: (708) Website: Dana McLeod 4412 Roosevelt Rd. Suite 104 Hillside, IL Phone: (708) Counties Served: West Cook West 40 TAOEP will re-establish truancy services for School Districts 209 and 89 by offering a combination of intervention and remediation services. The three main components are: 1. Educate parents and school districts regarding truancy in West Cook County and seek their involvement in truancy reduction. Outreach Counselors will connect with community resources that will be utilized when assisting students. 2. Outreach Counselors will work with school officials to identify the needs and numbers of chronic truants and students at-risk of dropping out of school. 3. Outreach Counselors will interact with students to identify barriers to attending school. They will provide personal counseling and/or connect them with community resources to address their truancy and help them get back into school. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Chronic Truants Grade of Students Served: 6-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: School District 209 and School District 89 13

19 ROE #8 Carroll/Jo Daviess/Stephenson - TAOEP Program ROE #8 Carroll/Jo Daviess/Stephenson Aaron Mercier, Regional Supt. 27 S. State Ave., Ste 101 Freeport IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Brandy Howard 27 S. State Ave., Ste 101 Freeport IL Phone: (815) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson Regional Office of Education #8 will provide a truancy intervention/prevention program to at-risk youth in our threecounty region. The program will provide at-risk youth in grades K-12 with services designed to improve attendance and build self-esteem, academics, and life skills. Need for services is determined using FY14 End of Year Reports, FY 14 School Report Cards, meetings with local administrators, and past experiences of our TAOEP Program. The two components of the program will be case management and credit recovery. The case management component will be provided to districts with high numbers of truants and chronic truants. Truancy Specialists (case managers) will conduct regular home visits, provide one-on-one informal counseling to truant youth, and facilitate referral and linkage to school and community services. Credit recovery coursework will be available to all districts and will be provided primarily via online instruction, academic progress and attendance will be monitored weekly. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-17 Program Sites: 14

20 ROE #9 Champaign/Ford - Attendance Improvement Program ROE #9 Champaign/Ford Jane Quinlan, Regional Supt. 200 South Fredrick Rantoul IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Regina Parnell 200 S. Frederick Champaign IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Champaign and Ford The program provides supplemental truancy intervention services to 14 schools districts in east central Illinois. Services include home visits, school visits, career services, academic counseling, health-related services, referrals to social services agencies, support services for parents, credit recovery programs, court services and summer programs. The program also provides a Truancy Review Board (TRB) serving chronic truants to determine final efforts needed to avoid court. We have diverted many truants from court through this process as well as improving their school attendance. The goal of our program is to provide and coordinate services for students who are experiencing attendance problems in order to maximize each student s potential to achieve academic success. Program objectives include increasing school attendance, reducing the number of chronic truants and providing summer school for secondary students in order to allow them to advance to the next grade level. We collaborate with other TAOEP Programs in our region, Champaign and Urbana, as well as various community agencies to help us ensure a continuum of services to students. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: Champaign 15

21 ROE #11 Clark/Cumberland/Coles/Douglas/Edgar/ Moultrie/Shelby - Attendance Improvement Matters (A.I.M.) ROE #11 Clark/Cumberland/Coles/Douglas/Edgar/Moultrie/Shelby Dr. Bobbi Mattingly, Regional Supt th Street Charleston IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Kyle Thompson 730 7th Street Charleston IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Clark, Cumberland, Coles, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie and Shelby AIM (Attendance Improvement Matters) is the name for ROE #11 s supplementary TAOEP services. The purpose of AIM is to provide direct services to students that will assist them in overcoming barriers that interfere with school attendance. Priority will be given to economically challenged students because their numbers are growing in ROE #11 and they tend to require additional services to help them overcome barriers to school attendance caused by economic factors. The attendance specialists develop positive relationships with truant students and their families through home visits, school/classroom visits, incentive programs, mentoring, monitoring, and any other activities that are relevant to the intervention process. Flexibility in the design of the service plan ensures that individual needs are met. Beacons is the name of the alternative (optional) education component of ROE #11 s TAOEP services. Beacons is a self-contained classroom designed for chronic truants below the age of seventeen who wish to catch up to grade level or retrieve credits missed because of poor school attendance. Besides improving daily school attendance, another major outcome of both programs is getting or keeping students on track for high school graduation. Attendance improvement strategies are evidenced-based, flexible, sustainable, and coordinated with the classroom teacher, school district, and social service agencies. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: Optional Education Program in Lerna and Paris 16

22 ROE #12 Clay/Crawford/Jasper/Lawrence/Richland - TAOEP Program ROE #12 Clay/Crawford/Jasper/Lawrence/Richland Monte Newlin, Regional Supt. 103 West Main Street Olney IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Travis Titsworth, Program Director 213 Cumberland St. P.O. Box 77 Willow Hill IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Clay, Crawford, Jasper, Lawrence and Richland This program provides for a variety of comprehensive services to specifically identified truant, chronic truant, dropout and potential dropout students ages Efforts will be focused on students with attendance problems and potential dropouts. Chronic truants, potential dropouts, and retrieved dropouts will have priority status for placement and services. Each student served will have an Individualized Optional Education Plan (IOEP) and/or Service Plan developed with the involvement of the student, the student s parents/guardians, the Local Education Agency (LEA), and other entities as indicated by individual circumstances. The students served may receive a variety of services that can include remediation, intervention, support services and an academic component. The academic educational component s curriculum consists of general junior high school curriculum, Edgenuity online courses, and high school courses, some including work site experiences, as identified by the LEA and Truant Alternative Optional Education Program (TAOEP) Staff. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-21 Program Sites: Willow Hill 17

23 ROE #13 Clinton/Jefferson/Marion/Washington - TAOEP Program ROE #13 Clinton/Jefferson/Marion/Washington Ron Daniels, Regional Supt. 200 East Schwartz St. Salem IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Lynette Baity 200 Schwartz St. Salem IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington The ROE #13 Truant Alternative and Optional Education Program serves students and families of Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties. The program is designed to provide comprehensive truancy intervention and optional education for students age 7 to 12th grade from 49 school districts. The ROE #13 truancy program provides positive truancy prevention and intervention services that are designed to help students and their families become aware of the importance of consistent school attendance. The truancy advocate works with students, their families, the school district and social services to provide solutions to the obstacles that prevent regular school attendance. The ROE chronic truancy program offers support for students who have experienced nine or more days of unexcused absences. These efforts include communication with parents, home visits, juvenile court, educational support services, and an active truancy review board composed of members of local social, legal and educational agencies. ROE #13 also offers comprehensive educational programs at the Mt. Vernon Alternative Learning Center and the Centralia Alternative Learning Academy. Junior and high school students are referred from the districts to the schools. Academic and behavior modification programs are tailored to meet our students needs and attendance is closely monitored. Administrative staff and licensed teachers assist students in meeting their academic and personal goals. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 7-21 Program Sites: Alternative Learning Academy, Centralia, IL; Mt Vernon Alternative Center, Mt. Vernon, IL 18

24 ROE #16 DeKalb - Truancy Intervention Program ROE #16 DeKalb Amanda Christensen, Regional Supt North Annie Glidden Rd. - Suite C DeKalb IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Jeff Smith 2500 North Annie Glidden Rd. - Suite C DeKalb IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Counties Served: DeKalb The DeKalb County Truancy Intervention Program (DCTIP) offers a combination of intervention and remediation services to all public school districts in DeKalb County. There are 8 school districts comprising a total student population of 17,000. Intervention services are aimed at identifying truants, chronic truants and potential dropouts in K-12 and providing them with effective resources. Services are largely rendered by truancy outreach workers (caseworkers) and include: parent education, absentee recovery, tutoring, monitoring, mentoring, counseling, home visits, and referrals to social service agencies. Remediation services allow students who have fallen behind the opportunity to recover lost course credits through online credit recovery (6-12). These students receive academic support and tutoring so they may achieve academically and rejoin classmates on the road to graduation. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-20 Program Sites: DeKalb County Regional Office of Education 19

25 ROE #17 DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean - TAOEP Program ROE #17 DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean Mark E. Jontry, Regional Supt. 200 W. Front St, Suite 500D Bloomington, IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Glen Hoffmann 408 W. Washington Bloomington IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Counties Served: DeWitt, Livingston, Logan and McLean The DeWitt/Livingston/Logan/McLean TAOEP program provides supplemental services to the traditional school that facilitates improvement in academic achievement and ultimate graduation of students that have been identified as at-risk due to truancy and/or potential dropout status. Credit recovery style programming includes: single credit, virtual schooling, and a summer session. These programs are open to any current 9-12th grade student in the region enrolled in school, who meet TAOEP requirements, and are at risk of dropping out due to credit deficiencies. In addition the summer session is open to grades 6-8 who are in need of a grade remediation program. A K-12 prevention/intervention program provides outreach services for school personnel to improve student attendance patterns and parent awareness of attendance requirements. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-21 Program Sites: 408 W. Washington, Bloomington 20

26 ROE #19 DuPage - TAOEP Program DuPage ROE Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Regional Supt. 421 N. County Farm Rd. Wheaton, IL Phone: (630) [email protected] Website: Dr. Joseph Gust 421 N. County Farm Rd. Wheaton, IL Phone: (630) [email protected] Counties Served: DuPage The DuPage County TAEOP is a coordinated collaborative effort between all of the local school districts in the county, local governmental agencies, community agencies, and the Regional Office of Education. The DuPage ROE received referrals from our local schools. Each individual case receives multiple program options that include, but are not limited to, Youth Outreach services (school visits, home visits, educational monitoring, advocacy, individual counseling, family counseling, community agency referrals, parent education) case management, court liaison, and prevention/education services. All grade levels (K-12) are served with intensive intervention/prevention services targeting chronic truants. An individual Optional Education Plan is developed and includes a diagnostic profile highlighting student needs, case management, goal setting, connection to the community resources and services advocacy, supportive parental involvement including home visits, individual, family and group counseling and continual reinforcement to meet the challenges and provide successful outcomes. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: DuPage County 21

27 ROE #20 Edward/Gallatin/Hamilton/Hardin/Pope/Saline/ Wabash/Wayne/White - Learning Alternative Branch ROE #20 Edward/Gallatin/Hamilton/Hardin/ Pope/Saline/Wabash/Wayne/White Lawrence Fillingim, Regional Supt. 512 North Main Street Harrisburg IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Jim Taylor 307 E. Cherry Street Carmi IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Edward, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White ROE #20 has worked with a strategic planning group to study the needs of at-risk adolescents in Edwards, Gallatin, Hardin, Pop, Saline, Wabash, Wayne and White Counties. Five strategic goals have been identified for this project: (1) Delivering two comprehensive optional education programs in the northern (Mill Shoals) and southern (Harrisburg) tiers of the ROE #20 area; (2) Providing specialized intervention services to at-risk adolescents in high school and to elementary students needing individual attention; (3) Formulating a region-wide group to address the needs of elementary-level at-risk adolescents likely to exhibit behaviors requiring pre-high school remediation; (4) Collaborating with the region s social service agencies to provide comprehensive community-based interventions for at-risk adolescents with problems not being met through the region s schools; and (5) Establishing a region-wide feasibility task force to explore bringing all of the region s at-risk youth together in one school complex. Several initiatives have been identified for the ROE #20 TAOEP. These initiatives will be: utilize the PBIS network and the three-tier Response to Intervention model, establish two intensive learning centers, employ life coaches, and increase the number of interventionists. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Mills Shoals Learning Alternative Branch School and Harrisburg Learning Alternative Branch School 22

28 ROE #24 Grundy/Kendall - TAOEP Program ROE #24 Grundy/Kendall Christopher Mehochko, Regional Supt Union Street Morris IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Meghan Martin 7700 Ashley Rd Morris IL Phone: (815) , ext [email protected] Counties Served: Grundy, Kendall The Grundy/Kendall Regional Office of Education provides supplemental and optional education services to the students enrolled in the 18 school districts within Grundy and Kendall counties. Major emphasis is placed on connecting the student to the school community, as well as the community at large, and to increase positive interaction between truant youth and trusted adults. Program staff has worked to foster a truly collaborative relationship between students, their families, school personnel, and existing community institutions. The supplemental services portion of the grant employs two caseworkers who work directly with school personnel to identify and support youth that remain truant despite numerous school-based interventions. Caseworkers provide a variety of attendance interventions to referred youth. Over the past three decades, these measures have demonstrated effectiveness through increased student attendance rates. The optional education portion of the grant employs a teacher, a classroom aide, a mental health counselor, and an employment coordinator. Referred youth will attend Premier Academy, the alternative school. They will benefit from a full day academic program, life skills training, mental health groups and individual counseling, career building, college planning, and other services as needed. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services), Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Chronic Truant, Truant, Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Premier Academy, Morris Campus 23

29 ROE #26 Fulton/Hancock/McDonough/Schuyler - STAY-IN ROE #26 Fulton/Hancock/McDonough/Schuyler John Meixner, Regional Supt. 130 S. Lafayette - Suite 200 Macomb IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Lori Bilbrey 130 S. Lafayette - Suite 200 Macomb IL Phone: (309) , ext [email protected] Counties Served: Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler The newly consolidated Regional Office of Education #26 provides a truancy prevention/intervention and alternative education program to the 18 school districts in Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, and Schuyler Counties. Our goal is to provide a truancy intervention and alternative education program designed to reduce the dropout and absenteeism rates and increase overall academic performance. Services provided through our truancy intervention component include truancy casework for underachieving students referred for high rates of absenteeism. An optional education program is offered to grades 9-12 through four alternative schools. These four alternative high schools provide a setting where credits can be generated toward graduation. Students attaining credit may graduate from their home district. A credit recovery option, utilizing the TAOEP statewide curriculum (Edgenuity) is also offered, allowing students to earn academic credit. Program staff work cooperatively with school staff, students, and parents/guardians to prepare an Individualized Optional Education Plan (IOEP) for each student participating in the program. Outcome-based learning objectives address an increase in attendance and goals that show gains in achievement level, grade promotion, improvement in academic grades, credits earned and/or completed, grade promotion, and standardized test score increases that are compatible with the home school district s local learning outcomes. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Academy for Secondary Education, Macomb; Hancock County Academy, Carthage; Spoon River Academy, Canton; McCall Academy, Canton 24

30 ROE #26 Fulton/Hancock/McDonough/Schuyler - TAOEP Professional Development ROE #26 Fulton/Hancock/McDonough/Schuyler John Meixner, Regional Supt. 130 S. Lafayette - Suite 200 Macomb IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Joni Deems 130 S. Lafayette - Suite 200 Macomb IL Phone: (309) Ext [email protected] Website: The professional development project provides leadership and support to local TAOEP programs through the delivery of professional development services, programs, and technical assistance activities, including: Assessing the professional development needs of persons working with TAOEP on an ongoing basis. Providing direct training, technical assistance and other professional development opportunities. Developing and publishing an annual directory of ISBE-funded TAOEP programs located throughout the State. Coordinating the oversight of the Edgenuity On-line Curriculum and providing technical assistance on an asneeded basis. Administering the electronic listserv and world wide web site ( Coordinating TAOEP administrators meetings held throughout the year. Collaborating and coordinating activities with other entities serving youth at-risk. Type of Service Offered: Professional Development 25

31 ROE #28 Bureau/Henry/Stark - Assisting Children in Education (ACE) ROE #28 Bureau/Henry/Stark Angie Zarvell, Regional Supt. 107 South State Street Atkinson IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Kim Sellers 107 South State Street Atkinson IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Bureau, Henry and Stark Counties The Bureau/Henry/Stark ROE provides a comprehensive program that addresses attendance issues in a 3 county area. The program focuses on prevention, intervention, and remediation services, as well as systematic change through integrated school improvement efforts. The Bureau/Henry/Stark ROE s TAOEP initiative relies on established community partnerships to provide access to vital resources, which link students with unmet needs to the community services designed to meet those needs, building upon personal responsibility, academic success, and life skills in order to prevent future truancy and dropping out of school. Preventing students from developing attendance habits with an adverse effect on educational success is the initial strategy. Early identification in the progression of problematic attendance occurs through the process of referrals coming from school staff, parents, and social service agencies. Data gathering and assessment of student needs with invited parental involvement increases the potential for success. Students with attendance problems who are credit deficient and identified as a dropout, chronic truant, truant or potential dropout may be given an opportunity to enroll in Edgenuity courses in order to assist districts as they struggle to prevent dropouts and prepare students for post-secondary education and workforce readiness. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: ROE #28, Atkinson, IL 26

32 ROE #30 Alexander/Jackson/Perry/Pulaski/Union - TAOEP Program ROE #30 Alexander/ Jackson/ Perry/ Pulaski/Union Donna Boros, Regional Supt. Jackson County Courthouse 1001 Walnut Street Murphysboro IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Jaime Lodge 1001 Walnut St. Murphysboro IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Alexander, Jackson, Pulaski, Perry, Union, Franklin, Williamson, Johnson, and Massac The TAOEP Program is a cooperative effort to serve truants and chronic truant in grades K-12 through interventions to improve academic performance and poor attendance patterns. SPIRITS (Specialists in Prevention, Intervention, and Remediation Truant Services) team members provide and coordinate multiple diagnostics and interventions, including wrap around services to facilitate the successful completion of the students Individualized Service Plan (ISP). The TAOEP program also includes an alternative optional education classroom for middle school students at risk of academic failure and/or failure to attain the level of education of their peers. Alternative classrooms provide direct instruction and online learning that focuses on core academic classes as well as career exploration and social services to promote student engagement in the learning process and success toward college and career readiness,. An Individualized Optional Education Plan (IOEP) guides the formative assessment of student progress in attaining academic, behavioral, and attendance goals. The overall TAOEP program coordinates with local school districts and community resources to support improved student attendance, achievement of academic success, and social/ emotional health. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-17 Program Sites: Jackson, Perry Franklin, Williamson, Johnson and Massac 27

33 ROE #31 Kane - Truancy Prevention Program ROE #31 Kane Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Supt. 28 N. First Street Geneva IL Phone: (630) [email protected] Website: Joshua Axelsen 28 N. First Street Geneva IL Phone: (630) [email protected] Counties Served: Kane The Kane County TAOEP is a coordinated effort between all of the local school districts, local governmental agencies, community agencies, and the Regional Office of Education. TAOEP receives referrals from our local schools, community agencies, local government agencies, and private citizens. Each individual case receives multiple program options that include, but are not limited to, youth outreach services (school visits, home visits, educational monitoring, advocacy, individual counseling, family counseling, and community agency referrals). Case management, court liaison, prevention education and intervention education are key components of the program. All grade levels are served with intensive prevention/intervention services targeting truant and chronic truants. An Individual Service Plan is developed and includes a diagnostic profile highlighting student needs, case management, goal setting, connection to the community resources and services, advocacy, supportive parental involvement including home visits, individual, family and group counseling and continual reinforcement to meet the challenges and provide successful outcomes. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: All schools within county. 28

34 ROE #32 Iroquois/Kankakee - I-KAN Attendance Assistance Program ROE #32 Iroquois/Kankakee Dr. Gregg Murphy, Regional Supt. 189 East Court Street, Suite 600 Kankakee IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Michelle Fitts 189 East Court Street, Suite 600 Kankakee IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Counties Served: Iroquois and Kankakee The I-KAN Attendance Support Program has one overall goal - to keep students in school until graduation. To that end, two components have been established to provide supplemental services, through I-KAN Attendance Assistance Program (AAP), and Optional Education, through the Students All Learning Together Program (SALT). These programs serve 19 school districts in Kankakee and Iroquois counties with a total population of approximately 24,048 kindergarten-12th grade students, over 1,720 teachers and 76 building principals. The I-KAN AAP provides case management services to approximately 775 K-12 students. Through partnerships with over 100 entities, including government and community-based agencies, the needs of students, schools, and families are addressed. I-KAN AAP is a referring agency to the C&A LAN to assist chronic truant students. An additional strategy to assist chronic truants is the I-KAN Truancy Review Board (TRB). The initiative is done in partnership with the judicial system, numerous public agencies, school administrators, and parents. SALT serves 180 students in grades 9-12 in two counties. Strengthening the academic skills of referred students to meet the Illinois Learning Standards is a major focus. The SALT academic sessions are complemented with vocational training, independent study, volunteer community service activities, career planning, and/or credit recovery options. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Students All Learning Together (SALT) I - Kankakee County Students All Learning Together (SALT) II Iroquois County 29

35 ROE #33 Henderson/Knox/Mercer/Warren- Project ADEPT ROE #33 Henderson/Knox/Mercer/Warren Jodi Scott, Regional Supt. 105 North East Street, Suite 1 Monmouth, IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Jodi Scott 105 north East Street, Suite 1 Monmouth, IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Henderson, Knox, Mercer and Warren The Henderson, Knox, Mercer and Warren County Regional Office of Education #33 has developed a communitybased program plan with the primary objective of keeping students in the classroom so that they may realize educational benefit and ultimately achieve career success. The Alternative Directive Emphasizing the Prevention of Truancy (Project ADEPT) will serve four counties in the area through prevention, intervention, remediation, dropout retrieval and systematic change components. Prevention involving attendance incentives and age-appropriate activities will be offered to all K-5 students to reinforce the importance of regular school attendance. Intervention, remediation, dropout and credit retrieval activities will serve students/families identified by referrals. These services will be tailored toward the needs of the individual as outlined in the student s IEOP. Systematic change targeting regional attendance policies will also be pursued. Through these efforts, the A.D.E.P.T program hopes to promote goal/oriented achievement among students and to provide them with the academic skills necessary to realize their dreams. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: ROE #33 30

36 ROE #34 Lake - PASS (Positive Alternative Student Services) ROE #34 Lake Roycealee Wood, Regional Supt. 800 Lancer Lane - Suite E-128 Grayslake IL Phone: (847) [email protected] Website: Monika Schwander-Lottermoser West Washington St. Grayslake IL Phone: (847) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Lake Regional Office of Education #34 provides comprehensive, dropout prevention and truant intervention (supplemental services) programs for students in schools with the highest truancy and dropout rates. Services are provided to students from grades 1-12 with special emphasis on preparing them for the workforce. Emphasis on the No Child Left Behind Act, Illinois School Improvement Planning, Education-to-Careers Initiatives and Illinois Learning Standards. Specifically, students and community will benefit from creating a seamless web of community support through sustained, coordinated planning and program implementation. 1. Casework - ATD provides assessment, casework, personal counseling and referral services for 400 chronic truant students resulting in improved attendance. 2. Attendance Groups - Schools that have a high number of referrals will be targeted for an Attendance Group. Stu dents with 15 plus absences will be selected to participate in goal setting, life skills, decision making and study skills. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 1-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: ROE #34 31

37 ROE #35 LaSalle/Marshall/Putnam- Attendance Awareness and Optional Education ROE #35 LaSalle/Marshall.Putnam Christopher B. Dvorak, Regional Supt. 119 West Madison, Rm 102 Ottawa IL Phone: (815) Website: Dr. Sandra Blanco 119 W. Madison, Rm 102 Ottawa IL Phone: (815) Counties Served: LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam The program will serve three counties: LaSalle, Marshall & Putnam. For the attendance awareness program, the focus is providing intervention & remediation services to potential dropouts, truants, and chronic truants in grade K-12 & to increase their attendance & improve their academic achievement, with the long term goal of high school graduation. Services to referred students include coordination with families & schools, educational assessment & students/family counseling. Each student s individualized Optional Education Plan may include referrals to school sponsored tutoring/counseling programs, to appropriate social service agencies, Edgenuity Credit Recovery Program, Regional Work Study Program & Optional Education program. Evaluation will include the number of students & their attendance & academic (credit recovery) goals. The philosophy of this program continues to be that the most successful avenue to reduce absenteeism & increase graduation rates are comprehensive with intervention early in the child s school career when attendance concerns present themselves & to facilitate consistent parent/community involvement with supportive & safe environments. Interventions are tailored to the individual. The Optional Ed Program is for those who would flourish in a self contained classroom. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: All school districts in LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties (except LaSalle-Peru Township) IL Valley Community College, Ottawa Optional Education Program, Peru 32

38 ROE #39 Macon/Piatt - Futures Unlimited ROE #39 Macon/Piatt Matthew Snyder, Regional Supt Huston Drive Decatur IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Ed Boehm 250 East William Street Decatur IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Macon and Piatt Futures Unlimited Alternative School has served the at-risk youth of Macon/Piatt counties for the last 39 years. Futures Unlimited helps at-risk students who are significantly behind in credits and have had problems attending school in the past. Futures Unlimited is the only alternative school in Macon/Piatt counties that allows students to graduate in an accelerated manner. Futures Unlimited operates through the Macon/Piatt ROE and provides an optional education for many students. The mission of Futures Unlimited is to serve at-risk students and their families by providing an opportunity for education and guidance through various community based-programs. Our students have the opportunity to earn their diplomas in a timely manner by utilizing an Individualized Educational Plan in a personalized atmosphere; thus building academic and social skills needed for a successful life and becoming a productive member of the community. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Futures Unlimited 33

39 ROE #40 Calhoun/Greene/Jersey/Macoupin - TAOEP Program ROE #40 Calhoun/Greene/Jersey/Macoupin Michelle Mueller, Regional Supt. 201 W. Exchange Jerseyville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Chad Hoesman 201 W. Exchange Jerseyville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin Delivery of service includes four following methods: Counselors, mentors, social workers, and tutors work to remove barriers that prohibit successful school completion by providing interventions before truancy becomes chronic. If middle and high school absenteeism becomes chronic, students may be placed in the RTPP (Right Track Pull-out Program) which is a minimum of six weeks. Students will attend a special program at one of the two alternative education and concentrate on removing attendance barriers so they may return to their regular classrooms. An Optional Education program is provided at two sites for drop-outs and potential drop-outs who want to return to school to earn credits or take GED classes. The TAOEP Truancy Review/Advisory Board meets regularly and provides support to those who are experiencing excessive absenteeism through contact with parents, probation officers, and the court system. District superintendents in all four counties believe in the TAOEP grant and rely on it for continued support. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-18 Program Sites: Brussels, Calhoun, Carrollton, Greenfield, North Greene, Jersey, Carlinville, Greene, N. Mac, Northwestern, Southwestern, Bunker Hill, Staunton, Gillespie, Mt. Olive, Carlinville 34

40 ROE #41 Madison - Madison County TAP ROE #41 Madison Robert Daiber, Regional Supt. 157 North Main - Suite 438 Edwardsville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Andrew Reinking 157 North Main Street - Suite 438 Edwardsville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Madison County The Madison County Truants Alternative Program (MCTAP) emphasizes a holistic approach to reduce the problems of truancy through school and community networking. The MCTAP provides remediation, intervention, and support services to at-risk and truant youth through the assistance of a Truancy Review Board which is brought together by the Project Coordinator to review truancy cases where local school personnel efforts have not been effective. An Individualized Truant Alternative Plan containing diagnostic, intervention, and remediation services is developed by the Interagency Resource Group for each referred student. The second component is the Truancy Court Diversion Program that is designed to help students and families establish regular school attendance without the necessity of filing a Truant Minor In Need of Supervision Petition with the county courts. This diversion program involves the family coming before a truancy judge for judicial admonishment and additional services if deemed appropriate. The third component, when all other interventions have failed, is access to the truancy court at the county level. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: Madison County ROE 35

41 ROE #45 Monroe/Randolph Right Track Truancy Prevention (RTTP) ROE #45 Monroe/Randolph Kelton Davis, Regional Supt. 107 East Mill St. Waterloo, IL Phone: (618) Website: Gertie Eshom 107 East Mill St. Waterloo, IL Phone: (618) Counties Served: Brown, Cass, Morgan, and Scott Right Track Truancy Prevention (RTTP), the Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program offered by the Monroe/Randolph Regional Office of Education, is a collaborative effort among the ROE, Monroe and Randolph county public schools, parents, Perandoe Special Education District, local support and law enforcement agencies. The shared vision is to diminish and prevent chronic truancy and dropout by providing expedient and appropriate interventions and supports for students who are showing academic, behavioral, cognitive and/or effective at-risk indicators. Right Track Truancy Prevention program accentuates prevention, intervention, and remediation for truants, chronic truants, and potential drop outs. The RTTP staff delivers school support in the areas of data collection, at-risk identification, appropriate intervention, monitoring and mentoring for students who are identified as at risk or currently displaying behaviors that lead to dropping out of school. Interventionists work directly with the students, school counselors, mentors, family, and community resources to identify and deliver support needs and options. As a last resort, truancy tickets, Truancy Review Board, and court proceedings are administered should student, family, school and community efforts fail in redirecting the student to the right track. Type of Service Offered: Supplemental, Optional Education Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 1-12 Age of Students Served: 6-18 Program Sites: Valmeyer, Waterloo, Chester, Perandoe, Coulterville, Prairie Du Rocher, Red Bud, Sparta, Steelville 36

42 ROE #47 Lee/Ogle/Whiteside - Dropout Intervention System ROE #47 Lee/Ogle/Whiteside Robert Sondgeroth, Regional Supt West 23rd Street Sterling, IL Phone: (815) Ext [email protected] Website: Janet Kacvinsky 1261 IL Rte 38 P.O. Box 55 Nachusa, IL Phone: (815) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Lee, Ogle and Whiteside The Lee/Ogle/Whiteside Regional Office of Education (ROE 47) works closely with all schools in the area to address the needs of all students. One need that is identified by all districts is that of non-attendance. Many issues affect non-attendance and include disconnection from the school, problematic self-management skills, lack of parental support for education, and need for individual attention to the matter. In an effort to address these, ROE 47 formed the ROE 47 Truants Alternative Program (TAP). ROE 47 TAP is a comprehensive truancy program which focuses on prevention, intervention, remediation, and systematic change. The prevention phase works with our schools to identify students who have irregular attendance patterns and to provide support to those students. The intervention phase works with truants, chronic truants, and potential dropouts to improve attendance and promote academic success. Remediation connects identified students to programs that offer credit recovery. ROE 47 TAP will also connect potential dropouts to Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs within the 3 county area. Systemic change will target school improvement by promoting methods for clear identification and referral procedures and clear policies and procedures. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 7-17 Program Sites: ROE #47 37

43 ROE #48 Peoria - Project Target ROE #48 Peoria Elizabeth Derry, Regional Supt. Peoria County Courthouse 324 Main St., Suite 401 Peoria IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Elizabeth Derry Peoria County Courthouse 324 Main St., Suite 401 Peoria IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Peoria The Peoria County Regional Office of Education s dual-program approach provides a continuum of services to public school students in Peoria County identified as truant, chronic truant, potential dropout or dropout. 1. Project T.A.R.G.E.T has provided truancy intervention services for truants and chronic truants in grades K-8 for the past 30 years. Activities toward the general purpose of truancy prevention include home visits, courtrelated services, monitoring, and services referrals for students and families. 2. The Peoria Regional High School fills a service gap in Peoria County by providing an alternative education program for drop-outs, truants, chronic truants, and potential dropouts in grades Activities include academic instruction, counseling, credit recovery, mentoring, life skills training, monitoring, and support for parents. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services), Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Truant, Chronic Truant, Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: 1-12 Age of Students Served: 6-10 Program Sites: Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main St., Peoria, IL. Peoria Regional High School, Wildlife Prairie State Park, 3826 N. Taylor Rd., Hanna City, IL. 38

44 ROE #49 Rock Island - Prevention Services Program ROE #49 Rock Island Tammy Muerhoff, Regional Supt Avenue of the Cities Moline IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Clayton Naylor 3430 Avenue of the Cities Moline IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Rock Island The Rock Island County Regional Office of Education (RIROE) collaborates with all Rock Island County school districts to assist them in addressing the Illinois Compulsory Attendance (105 ILCS 5/25-1) school code requirement that all children between the ages of 6-16 attend school regularly. To achieve this goal, the RIROE Prevention Services Truancy Program provides prevention and intervention services for youth who are truant, chronic truant and potential dropouts. The goal is to support a collaboration network of RIROE Prevention Services Truancy Program and community partners. The RIROE Prevention Services Truancy Program staff, school personnel, law enforcement, court services and community social service agencies maintain and foster efforts to provide effective and sufficient use of services to youth. The target population is youth identified as truant, chronic truants, potential dropouts, and dropouts to achieve academic success leading them to becoming productive citizens of their communities. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-10 Age of Students Served: 6-16 Program Sites: ROE #49 39

45 ROE #50 St. Clair - St. Clair County TAOEP ROE #50 St. Clair Susan Sarfaty, Regional Supt South Illinois Street Belleville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Brad Harriman 1000 South Illinois Street Belleville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: St. Clair The program s goals are to identify chronic truants, locate the students and their families, conduct formal hearings, offer services to curb truancy, and follow the results of engaging families in appropriate services. TAOEP funded services will support monitoring, counseling, home visits, family and student services. The general purpose is to offer intervention efforts prior to students and parents being charged with compulsory attendance violations in state court. Activities range from working with our school districts in resolving issues that lead to truancy at the district level, the regional truancy board level, and finally the St. Clair County courts. District services include tutoring, mentoring, after school assistance, academic counseling, credit recovery, monitoring, etc. County level outside assistance is through social service intervention, substance abuse counseling, anger management, violence prevention, family counseling, free or reduced legal assistance, homeless assistance, etc. Many students and their families have successfully entered assistance programs while some have been summoned to court for failure to comply with the recommendations of the St. Clair County Regional Truancy Review Board. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 2-12 Age of Students Served: 6-17 Program Sites: ROE #50 40

46 ROE #51 Menard/Sangamon - Sangamon County Learning Academy ROE #51 Menard/Sangamon Jeff Vose, Regional Supt. Sangamon County Complex 2201 South Dirksen Pkwy Springfield IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Shannon Fehrholz 2201 South Dirksen Pkwy Springfield IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Menard and Sangamon All students in Menard and Sangamon counties will be given an IOEP to outline the focus/services for each student. Students in grades K-10 in Sangamon County and grades K-8 in District 186 considered to be truant/chronic truants will receive attendance intervention, remedial and supportive services. All referred students will receive initial home visits. The parent, school and student contact will continue on a regular basis throughout the school year. Services are provided in collaboration with the community/school resources. SCLA serves truants, chronic truants, potential dropouts and dropouts in grades 9-12 from Sangamon County schools at the Capital Area Career Center. SCLA offers students the opportunity to attend the center s vocational/technical programs and offers career counseling services. Transportation is provided by each county school district. Unique features of SCLA include: small class size, increased parental involvement, academic services, individual/small group instruction, behavior remediation, academic counseling, attendance intervention, support services and transition services for return to the home school. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Sangamon County Learning Academy & Truancy Services to all districts in Sangamon County. 41

47 ROE #53 Mason/Tazewell/Woodford - Truancy and Credit Recovery Program ROE #53 Mason/Tazewell/Woodford Gail Owen, Regional Supt. 414 Court St., Suite 100 Pekin IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Gail Owen 414 Court St., Suite 100 Pekin IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Mason, Tazewell, and Woodford The Truancy and Credit Recovery Program serving Mason, Tazewell, and Woodford counties, consists of two programs. 1) The Truancy Intervention Program provides two case workers to serve students in grades K-12, families, and school districts in Mason, Tazewell, and Woodford counties during the school year in accordance with TAOEP guidelines. The goal is to serve 90 truants, chronic truants, and potential dropouts and their families improve attendance, achieve promotion to the next grade level and to re-establish positive school habits and academic success. 2) The alternative education program, known as ROE 53 Academy, provides an alternative high school education for 60 dropouts, chronic truants, truants, and potential dropouts from Mason, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. The rigorous curriculum offers credit recovery and meets graduation requirements for students. The online courses are a basis for individualized learning, academic interventions, small group instruction, and tutoring. A focus is placed on students and their requirements for a high school diploma. An Individualized Optional Education Plan (IOEP) is created for students in each program and identifies student objectives and measurements toward success. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Dropout, Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Tazewell Alternative High School, Creve Coeur, IL Tazewell Truancy Program Pekin, IL. 42

48 ROE #54 Vermilion - Vermilion County TAOEP Program ROE #54 Vermilion Cheryl Reifsteck, Regional Supt. 200 S. College Street, Suite B Danville IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Mark Janesky 200 S. College Street, Suite B Danville IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Vermilion The Truancy Intervention Program of Vermillion County will provide support services for students within the county with the objectives of increasing student attendance, graduation rates, student promotion rates, and to intervene with potential dropouts. The county is experiencing a greater number of truancy issues with much younger children. The program will provide a caseworker that will work with approximately 460 students that are considered either truant or chronically truant. The caseworker will provide students and parents with home visits, counseling services, some transportation services, and also offer families access to numerous community support services, and will act as a liaison between the court system, the schools, and the families. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Vermilion County ROE, Danville 43

49 ROE #56 Will - TAOEP Program ROE #56 Will Shawn Walsh, Regional Supt. 702 W. Maple St. New Lenox IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Scott Pritchard 960 Royce Avenue Joliet, IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Counties Served: Will Lincoln School, the attendance center for Optional Education, offers optional education services to 50 eligible chronic truants, truants, potential dropouts and dropouts in grades 6 through 12. The alternative school uses Edgenuity as a base curriculum and works with cooperating school districts for further customizing. Certified teachers and classroom aides complement this curriculum with direct instruction and community services. Support services address the root causes of truancy and provide intervention in those areas most relevant to student success. Students participate in employment preparedness and character building activities. The goal of the educational program is to provide alternative educational experiences for students who have problematic attendance patterns. These educational experiences are aligned with the common core and provide youth with the necessary skills to become productive citizens. The Will County ROE employs caseworkers who collaborate with the 29 school districts in the Will County. School personnel and caseworkers collaborate to identify and support youth that remain truant despite school-based interventions. Caseworkers provide a variety of attendance interventions after school based interventions are exhausted. Emphasis is placed on connecting the student to the school and community to increase positive interaction between truant youth and trusted adults. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Lincoln School 44

50 District Programs District Programs Alton Community School District #11 Aurora East School District #131 Belleville High School District #201 Bloom High School District #206 Cahokia Community Unit District #187 Cairo School District #1 Carbondale Community High School #165 Carlinville CUSD #1 Century CUSD #100 Champaign CUSD #4 Chicago Public Schools #299 Community High School District #218 Decatur Public School District #61 East Richland Community Unit School District #1 East St. Louis School District #189 Edwards County CUSD #1 Eldorado Unit #4 Evanston/Skokie District #65 Galesburg Community Unit District #205 Gallatin County Community School District #7 Hamilton County Community Unit School District #10 Jersey Community Unit School District #100 LaSalle-Peru Township High School District #120 Lincoln Community High School District #404 Mt. Vernon Township High School District #201 PORTA Community Unit District #202 Quincy School District #172 Rockford Public Schools District #205 Round Lake Area Unit School District #116 Thornton Fractional District #215 Thornton Township High School District #205 Urbana District #116 Waukegan Community Unit School District #

51 Alton Community Unit School District #11 - Alton Success Academy Alton Community Unit School District #11 Dr. Kenneth Spells, Superintendent 1854 East Broadway Alton IL Phone: (618) kspells@altonschools,org Website: Kristie Baumgartner 1854 East Broadway Alton IL Phone: (618) kbaumgartner@altonschools,org Counties Served: Madison Alton Community Unit School District #11 s Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program serves at-risk students in grades 9-12 at Alton High School. After conducting a needs assessment and gap analysis, four district needs were identified to improve outcomes for students. Through the proposed program, Alton Success Academy (ASA) will meet each of the previously identified needs. ASA will provide an evening school for 30 weeks (4 nights per week 3 hours each night) during the program year where students may obtain high school credit, recover credits, and earn college dual credit. District certified teachers will provide nightly instruction using a curriculum aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards. Supplemental tutoring in reading and math will also be provided as an intervention for students in math. Through the counseling department, students will also receive career coaching including vocational course connections. Additionally, a truancy caseworker will provide truancy prevention and intervention services by working closely with students, families, and court-diversion agencies. The expected major program outcomes are to: increase attendance rates for targeted students while decreasing the number of chronic truants/ truants, increase graduation rates among targeted students through credit recovery and increase reading/math achievement scores for program students leading to post-secondary success in college/career. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant, and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Alton High School 46

52 Aurora East School District #131 - The Advantage Program (TAP) Aurora East School District #131 Dr. Michael Popp, Superintendent 417 5th Street Aurora IL Phone: (630) [email protected] Website: Margo Schmitt 231 E. Indian Trail Rd. Aurora IL Phone: (630) [email protected] Counties Served: Kane The Advantage Program (TAP) serves students in West Aurora District 129 and East Aurora District 131 who are pregnant students (either in their last trimester or following the birth of their child), and are potential dropout students. Students continue their regular school curriculum with two critical advantages (1) a learning environment that supports their special physical and personal needs and (2) an academic program customized to provide individualized and small group instruction and to increase their likelihood of academic success and high school graduation. TAP will operate in a District 131 facility for five hours daily during the school year. Approximately 60 students per year, 30 per semester, will participate in a structured schedule of core academic instruction and personal development. Community partners teach parenting, life skills classes, and provide child care for the students babies. Services include counseling, health education, home visits, social and academic support. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: East Aurora High School Extension Campus 47

53 Belleville Township High School District #201 - Alternative Education Belleville High School District #201 Dr. Jeff Dosier, Superintendent 920 North Illinois St. Belleville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Andrea Gannon 920 North Illinois Street Belleville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: St. Clair Alternative education began in BTHS #201 with a night school in It served 10 students and met 3 nights for class. The night school has grown to over 200 students annually and classes are offered four nights per week. In 2012, BTHS #201 added an Alternative Day School program. This program started with 25, mostly freshmen and sophomore level, who were at risk for school failure. The program currently serves 60 students. The two alternative programs allow BTHS #201 to offer an array of options for students who struggle with truancy and at-risk behavior. Alternative programs in BTHS #201 offer students small class sizes and individually developed educational experiences. Social work, counseling, and outreach services help students build academic and interpersonal skills needed for success. Programs offer vocational educational opportunities. The goal of the programs is to maximize opportunities for our students to achieve high school graduation and be college or career read. The night school graduates 80 students. Both programs offer a blended summer program and award over 2,000 credits/year. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Belleville Township High School West and East Campus 48

54 Bloom High School District #206 - TAOEP Program Bloom High School District #206 Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent 100 West 10th St. Chicago Heights IL Phone: (708) Ext [email protected] Website: Mariba Woods 100 W. 10th Street Chicago Heights IL Phone: (708) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Cook Bloom High School District #206, located in south Cook County, 30 miles east of Chicago, provides an alternative program with 2 components. These programs cover the categories of recovery, retrieval, and intervention. Both components serve over 190 students annually. The majority of these students meet low-income criteria and perform below grade level on state academic assessments and have attendance issues. Campus Centered High School (CCHS) is an evening school credit retrieval program for in-school students and dropouts who are behind in credits needed to meet graduation requirements. The goal of CCHS is to assist students in reaching their goals of high school graduation, and placement into a training program, post-secondary education, military or job placement. Each One Reach One (EORO) is an intervention program that provides identified at-risk, homeless, and CCHS students with mentors. These mentors help students deal with critical issues by serving as a positive model and keeping them engaged in educational and extracurricular activities on and off campus. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout and Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: District

55 Cahokia CUSD #187 - CHS Alternative Education Program Cahokia CUSD #187 Arthur Ryan, Superintendent 1700 Jerome Lane Cahokia IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Rick Jones 800 Range Lane Cahokia IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: St. Clair The CHS Alternative Education Program is designed and is intended to provide an optional alternative education program to at-risk high school students in Cahokia CUSD #187. In , 52.5% or 527 of the 1061 CHS students were chronic truants; 4.9% or 52 students dropped out of the traditional high school program; 68% of students were low income. In , there were 1005 students at CHS, of which 28% or 281 were chronic truants; 4.4% or 44 students were dropouts; 85% were low income. These high rates of chronic truancy, dropouts, and low income continue today. A large percentage of students are behind in credits, standardized test scores are far below state averages, and students are faced with personal, family, community, and other socio-economic circumstances that make success in a traditional education setting extremely difficult or impossible for many. The program will provide much-needed academic support and interventions, credit recovery, vocational training and opportunities, and personal counseling and social services to provide a path to graduation, and to make it much more likely for students to be college and career ready. Major goals and outcomes include: (1) the attainment of 2.5 credits/semester; (2) reduced truancy/increased attendance rate; (3) improvement in student learning, performance, and outcomes. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Cahokia High School 50

56 Cairo USD #1 - Cairo Truancy/Intervention/Supplemental Services Program (CTISP) Cairo School District #1 Andrea Evers, Superintendent 4201 Sycamore Cairo IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Andrea Evers, Superintendent 4201 Sycamore Cairo IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Alexander The Cairo Truancy/Intervention/Supplemental Services Program (CTISP) is designed to address all aspects of students attendance issues. The program has two overarching goals: 1. The CTISP coordinator will work with identified students and their families to determine variables that are preventing attendance at school on a daily basis. Once variables are identified, efforts will be made to connect the students and family with available social, medical, or academic supports so the student can freely and actively participate in school. With a wrap-around approach, absenteeism will be significantly reduced. This program will help each child reach his or her academic potential. 2. The CTISP coordinator will provide information and guidance to students and families regarding intervention programs and other available resources to help develop adequate attendance patterns, enhance academic skills, and promote the building of positive social skills. With these goals as the foundation, CTISP will create an initiative where prevention will be accomplished by first identifying the students who are truant, chronically truant, or at risk of dropping out. Intervention services for these youth will be include parent meetings, counseling, mentoring, Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports, building level supports, and referrals to community organizations and agencies. Other services, especially for potential dropouts, will entail referrals to tutorial and credit recovery program. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant, and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-19 Program Sites: Cairo Elementary School and Cairo Jr/Sr High School 51

57 Carbondale Community High School District #165 - Rebound Carbondale Community High School Stephen Murphy, Superintendent 330 S. Giant City Road Carbondale IL Phone: (618) ext [email protected] Website: June Hickey 205 North Oakland Avenue Carbondale IL Phone: (618) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Jackson Carbondale Community High School Rebound offers a continuum of learning opportunities and supportive services for retrieved dropouts. Rebound provides one truancy intervention service: high school credit coursework for potential dropouts whose attendance problems and/or disaffection have resulted in credit deficiencies. Teacher directed instruction is offered in nine week quarters plus a six week summer session. Our educational, support, and transition components are strengthened by collaboration with area businesses and an extensive social services network. Rebound offers the following: (1) A comprehensive educational program for retrieved dropouts leading to secondary completion (diploma or high school equivalency certificate); (2) Summer high school credit classes for potential dropouts with credit deficiencies; (3) Supportive services to assist students in overcoming the barriers to success; (4) Activities to develop leadership skills, teamwork skills, community service interests, and a sense of belonging; (5) Transition assistance for post-secondary education, career awareness, and workplace entry. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Rebound at Carbondale Community High School 52

58 Carlinville CUSD #1 - TAOEP Carlinville CUSD #1 Michael Kelly, Superintendent 829 W. Main St. Carlinville IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Elise Schwartz Shipman Rd. Carlinville IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Macoupin Carlinville Community Unit School District #1 provides supplemental services to students in grades 1-5 who are characterized by multiple risk factors for dropping out of school. The National Dropout Prevention Center reports that poor academic performance, low socio-economic backgrounds and frequent absences are the strongest predictors of dropout risk. A potential dropout in Carlinville schools will be any student characterized by at least two of these factors. Students experiencing one factor will be considered if apathy toward school, low motivation and lack of parental support are additional areas of concern. The long-term goal of the program is reducing the dropout rate through early intervention. The short term goals of the program are increasing academic achievement, improving the attendance rate and creating positive relationships and connection with school. In grades 1-5, Carlinville will provide students performing below grade level with supplemental reading and/or math instruction for 30 minutes per day. Individual and/or group counseling, character education, an after-school program and parental outreach activities will be supports provided to potential dropouts. Social-emotional learning and social skills will be a focus of after school program activities, in addition to academics, physical fitness and experiences outside of school (field trips). Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout Grade of Students Served: 1-5 Age of Students Served: 6-11 Program Sites: Carlinville Primary School, Carlinville Intermediate School 53

59 Century CUSD #100 - PACE Cooperative Century CUSD #100 Leslie Varble, Superintendent 4721 Shawnee College Rd. Ullin, IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Leslie Varble 4721 Shawnee College Rd. Ullin, IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Pulaski The primary goal of the PACE Cooperative TAOEP Program is to motivate students toward regular attendance resulting in academic success. All eleven schools within the three-county service area share the joint mission of maintaining TAOEP classrooms within the area high school buildings. By doing so, TAOEP students are allowed opportunities not only within the TAOEP classroom, but within the service school itself. Based upon high interest surveys and teacher recommendations, students are allowed to integrate with the general education population for some classes, allowing for the least restrictive environment. The Century and Egyptian site located in Pulaski and Alexander County are K-12 districts. This allows both the Junior and Senior High students the opportunity to be mainstreamed into the general education population. This is of great benefit to our students. This allows social and emotional development, peer interaction, and the hope that each of these students fill in some of the academic gaps and motivates each one to strive toward a better attendance rate and academic success. The Anna-Jonesboro site allows 6-8 grade students to attend the site and 8th grade students that are truly high school age have been allowed to integrate into the general education population as well. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-21 Program Sites: Champaign Community Unit School District #4 Schools. 54

60 Champaign CUSD #4 - TAOEP Program Champaign Unit #4 School District Orlando Thomas, Superintendent 703 S. New Street Champaign IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Laurie Scott 703 S. New Street Champaign IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Champaign Champaign Community Unit School District #4 s truancy prevention program is designed to provide truancy prevention and intervention services for truant, chronic truants and potential dropouts for all eligible K-12 students in the district. The foundation for the program is Operation S.T.O.P. (Stop Truancy Outreach Program), a strategic plan developed by Unit 4 leaders in collaboration with community partners representing a spectrum of health and social services providers, local government and law enforcement, community members, parents, and the business community. The goals of the plan are to retrieve truant students, reconnect them to Unit 4 and community resources and reaffirm the importance of education. The plan outlines three tiers of support to be provided to students and their families: prevention, intervention, and credit retrieval or alternative placement. Check and Connect, an evidence-based model of sustained basic and intensive interventions and academic support, provides the underpinning for the implementation of the district s truancy prevention program, the ultimate goal of which is to support student achievement aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards at each grade level. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-18 Program Sites: Champaign Community Unit School District #4 Schools. 55

61 Chicago Public Schools #299 - Attendance Improvement & Truancy Intervention Chicago Public Schools Office of Instruction and School Management Attendance Improvement & Truancy Intervention 125 South Clark Street - 11th Floor Chicago IL Phone: (773) Website: Mary (Molly) Burke 42 West Madison St Garden Floor Chicago IL Phone: (773) [email protected] Counties Served: Cook/City of Chicago Only CPS will operate 4 Re-Engagement Centers in high-need communities focused on the re-engagement of youth. CPS will provide truancy intervention to potential dropouts and dropouts. Depending upon their needs, youth visiting the Centers may be referred to services including school re-enrollment supports, life skills training, enrollment in online credit obtainment programs, referrals to community services, monitoring and home visits, and/or personal and family counseling. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout and Dropout Grade of Students Served: 6-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Chicago Public Schools #299 56

62 Community High School District #218 - Delta Learning Center Community High School District #218 Dr. Ty Harting, Superintendent S. Kilpatrick Avenue Oak Lawn IL Phone: (708) ext [email protected] Website: MaLinda Majoch S. Kilpatrick Avenue Oak Lawn IL Phone: (708) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Cook The Community High School District #218 Delta Learning Center Program serves potential dropouts from the District s three comprehensive high schools. This alternative education program focuses on students with significant attendance problems and credit deficiencies, along with the discipline and social-emotional issues that often accompany poor attendance and failure to achieve high school credit. Direct instruction, online credit recovery classes, and vocational, social-emotional, career-focused, and academic support services are provided at Delta Learning Center. The program offers core academic classes as well as selected electives to promote student engagement and future-focused motivation for learning. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout Grade of Students Served: Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Delta Learning Center, Community High School District #218 57

63 Decatur Public School District #61 - TAOEP Program Decatur Public School District #61 Lisa Taylor, Superintendent. 101 West Cerro Gordo Decatur IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Jodi Tull 601 North Church Street Decatur IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Macon Targeting 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who historically may drop out, Decatur Public Schools identifies students early and provides consistent interventions. Incorporating an Early Warning System (EWS) based on evidencedbased benchmarks, staff identifies students prior to the start of school, monitors throughout the year, and provides supplemental and support services to remove the barriers to school attendance and success. Students previously identified as TAOEP eligible continue in the program. Using attendance, behavior and credits (grades) benchmarks, Priority 1 students, new to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, meet EWS staff and set goals and sign contracts to begin TAOEP services. EWS staff monitors Priority 2 students, meeting with them to discuss services available should they choose to make a change in their determination to achieve district-established expectations for promotion. Contracts, designed to access services such as tutoring, mentoring, and Edgenuity support to supplement classroom instruction, provide the framework for success. EWS staff, consisting of TAOEP Caseworkers, parent liaisons and teaching assistants, monitor students on a daily basis providing parents with on-going updates, meets with students, families and staff, provides tutoring and support services, and regularly updates contracts to provide students with the needed services to assure student growth and achievement. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 6-8 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Thomas Jefferson Middle School; Stephen Decatur Middle School, Hope Academy, Harris Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Enterprise Elementary, French Academy, Durfee Magnet, Stevenson Elementary School 58

64 East Richland Community Unit School District #1 - TAOEP Program East Richland Community Unit School Dist. #1 Larry Bussard, Superintendent 1100 East Laurel Street Olney IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Larry Bussard 1100 East Laurel Olney IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Richland The consequences of not effectively educating our youth are felt beyond the school walls. In the working class towns of Richland County, many of the students that we have educated over the years have historically remained in or returned to the area to become adult members of the community. Thus, providing quality education and ensuring student achievement serve as a direct investment in the community. Unfortunately, poor student attendance has been a serious educational obstacle. Prior to institution of a TAOEP, the male graduation rate dipped as low as 57.3%. Further research revealed that much of the failure could be attributed to truancy. This sobering data has served as a catalyst for action. The implementation of a TAOEP has spearheaded much needed reform. The program combines a carefully formulated truancy intervention program with an opportunity for dropouts and chronic truants alike to receive credit retrieval. The TAOEP will orchestrate both new and existing legal enforcement, tutoring, counseling and community-based services so that our students graduate and enjoy more career options. In so doing, this will enrich and strengthen our community. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-18 Program Sites: East Richland High School, East Richland Middle School, and East Richland Elementary School 59

65 East St. Louis School District #189 - Education and Truancy Intervention Program (ETIP) East St. Louis School District #189 Arthur Culver, Superintendent 1005 State Street East St. Louis IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Lawrence Tourijigian 1005 State St. East St. Louis IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: St. Clair Educational services through the East St. Louis District TAOEP will be offered to eligible students with some form of attendance problem. Students in grades 6-8 will receive prevention and intervention services. Intervention efforts include a targeted approach to increase attendance and improve academic performance. To ensure that students in need of the most assistance (due to the degree of their attendance problems) actually receive it, priority criteria have been established for participation. Chronic truants will receive top priority, followed by truants, and then potential dropouts. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant Grade of Students Served: 6-8 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Mason/Clark Middle School and Lincoln Middle School. 60

66 Edwards County CUSD #1 - TAOEP Edwards County CUSD #1 David Cowger, Superintendent 361 W. Main Street, Suite 100 Albion IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: David Cowger 361 W. Main Street Albion IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Edwards Edwards County CUSD #1 has identified truancy as an area of concern for the district by conducting local needs assessments with our community, consulting with the local law enforcement, judicial systems and the local Juvenile Justice Council. The District s stance is to become more proactive by providing more opportunities and resources to youth and families of Edwards County. By doing so, we stand a better chance of reaching our educational goals of these at-risk youth. Three strategic goals are identified: 1. Provide a Truancy Interventionist who will provide specialized intervention services to the at-risk adolescents in high school and provide the individual attention/intervention to those crucial years at the elementary level. 2. Provide a Truancy Interventionist who will work with families and develop specific plans of action to be implemented in households identified as at-risk. 3. Provide a Truancy Interventionist that can provide one-on-one counseling to students identified as truants, chronic truant and/or potential dropouts. They will develop individualized plans to assist and benefit these students and provide tutoring opportunities to assist academic concerns which may contribute to attendance patterns. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-21 Program Sites: Edwards County CUSD #1 61

67 Eldorado Unit #4 - TAOEP Eldorado Unit #4 Ryan Hobbs, Superintendent 2200 Illinois Avenue Eldorado IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Ryan Hobbs 2200 Illinois Avenue Eldorado IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Saline The purpose of the program is to increase attendance rates at Eldorado High School in Eldorado. Eldorado High School in the past had lower attendance rates and higher high school dropout rates of any school in any adjacent county in Southern Illinois. The goals of our program are to raise the attendance and graduation rates and lower the truancy rates. This is accomplished by using truancy intervention to offer services such as mentoring, home visits, and coordinating services with other local agencies. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Eldorado High School 62

68 Evanston CCSD #65 - TAOEP Program Evanston/Skokie District #65 Paul Goren, Superintendent Joseph E. Hill Administration Center 1500 McDaniel Evanston IL Phone: (847) [email protected] Website: Joyce Bartz Joseph E. Hill Administration Center 1500 McDaniel Evanston IL Phone: (847) [email protected] Counties Served: Cook, North Cook ISC The TAOEP program plan is comprised of three levels of intervention, each with the goal to support students in achieving and maintaining good attendance. Each level is increased in intensity of contact, requirements, and services offered to families. The program is coordinated and supported by one staff position and the Attendance Social Worker. These positions are based in the targeted school sites and work closely with school administration and teachers. The interventions are designed to approach families in a strength based manner and to engage parents as partners in finding solutions while balancing the importance of school attendance for children. Non-participation could result in a referral to the regional Truancy Officer as a last resort intervention. The format of the family meetings in level 2 and 3 are very similar to a format used in child welfare known as a Child and Family Team Meetings. These meetings seek to find supportive solutions for families by creating teams that include parents, the child (if old enough), principals, teachers, therapists, clergy, and other key individuals whom are trusted by the family. The meetings are led by a trained facilitator. The facilitator s role is to lead the group in developing a plan that addresses the root causes of chronic issues, is realistic, with a timeline and outlining each team member s role in the solution. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: K-8 Age of Students Served: 5-14 Program Sites: Chute Middle School, King Lab (K-8), Oakton Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary 63

69 Galesburg Community Unit District #205 - TAOEP Galesburg CUSD #205 Bart Arthur, Superintendent 932 Harrison St. - PO Box 1206 Galesburg IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Website: Jason Spring 1017 W. Dayton St. Galesburg IL Phone: (309) [email protected] Counties Served: Knox CUSD #205 Truants Alternative Program provides supplemental services to at-risk students in grades K-8 at seven district schools via an Outreach Worker at each school. Each Outreach Worker identifies a caseload of students with low attendance rates. Students targeted are the ones most likely to significantly improve their attendance with the help of supplemental services. The Outreach Worker coordinates or provides those services to the student. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout and Truant Grade of Students Served: K-8 Age of Students Served: 5-16 Program Sites: Gale Elementary, King Elementary, Steele Elementary, and Lombard Middle School, Nielson Elementary, Silas Willard Elementary and Churchill Jr. High 64

70 Gallatin County Community Unit School District #7 - TAOEP Program Gallatin Co. CUSD #7 Lucinda Schmitt, Superintendent 5175 Highway 13 Junction IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Lucinda Schmitt 5175 Highway 13 Junction IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Gallatin Our TAOEP goal is to improve the attendance of truant and chronic truant students in 1st 12th grade at Gallatin County CUSD #7. We all know that truancy affects grades, creates low self-esteem, social isolation, and other problems. We will accomplish our goals of improving attendance and passing classes and gaining credits by providing a tutor to help them with their homework and gain confidence in their studies. This one on one help with homework will be provided during their study hall or other appropriate time during their schedule. This person will stay in contact with parents and teachers to make sure that our goals of improving attendance and grades is being met. We will provide a truancy interventionist who will make home visits to see if there are any underlying problems. They will work closely with the students, families, administration, teachers, social worker, and tutor to help improve their attendance problem. We will provide a social worker to counsel students on why attendance is so important, work on any social issues that they are having, help improve their self-esteem, and get them referred to any additional agencies in the county, such as Egyptian Health Department, that can possibly help the students and their families. The social worker will make contact with the truancy interventionist, tutor, teachers, administrators and families so that we are all working together for the betterment of each student. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 1-12 Age of Students Served: 6-21 Program Sites: Gallatin County Community Unit School District #7 65

71 Hamilton County CUSD #10 - TAOEP Program Hamilton County CUSD #10 Jeff Fetcho, Superintendent 109 North Washington St. McLeansboro IL Phone: (618) Ext [email protected] Website: Travis McCollum 1 Fox Lane McLeansboro IL Phone: (618) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Hamilton Hamilton County CUSD #10 will decrease truancy rates and increase graduation rates among our junior and senior high school students. The following components are vital to the establishment and success of the program: Truancy Support Team: This team will be comprised of Hamilton County CUSD #10 personnel. This team will be responsible for program development, student selection, evaluation and monitoring of services. Intervention Instructor: This individual will monitor students that have not successfully completed their required coursework and are enrolled in the credit recovery program, collaborate with team members to develop service plans and assist the assistant principal and guidance counselor in making home visits to identified truant students as well as develop service plans for at-risk students. Credit Recovery Program: Edgenuity will be available to students each hour as well as after school to enable students to stay on target for graduation. After School Program: An after school program will be available to students that are not on track to graduate 3 days a week where students can access Edgenuity, and get support from the Intervention Instructor. Summer School: Summer school will be offered in house using two certified teachers to monitor students and offer instruction and support utilizing the Edgenuity software. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 7-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Hamilton County Jr/Sr High School 66

72 Jersey Community Unit School District #100 - TAOEP Program Jersey CUSD #100 Lori Hopkins, Superintendent 100 Lincoln Street Jerseyville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Erica Smith 1101 S. Liberty St. Jerseyville IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Jersey The District 100 TAOEP provides truancy intervention and supplemental services for students in grades 6 through 12 enrolled in the district s schools. It also provides credit recovery services for students who qualify and are enrolled at Jersey Community High School. Those services are coordinated by the District 100 Attendance Mentor. All students receiving TAOEP services are monitored for student attendance. Other services offered to TAOEP students may include personal counseling, various family support services aimed at improving attendance, referrals for social or academic services, and home visits. Students with low attendance may be required to attend a truancy review board hearing with a parent/guardian. High school students in need of credits to graduate may be enrolled in TAOEP to participate in credit recovery program using an online curriculum. Academic outcomes to be achieved by TAOEP students include passing classes, promotion to the next grade level, earning credits, and graduation. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 6-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Illini Middle School, Jersey Community High School 67

73 LaSalle-Peru Township High School District #120 - Attendance Advocacy Program LaSalle-Peru Township HS District #120 Steven Wrobleski, Superintendent 541 Chartres Street LaSalle IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Stephanie Jeanblanc 541 Chartres Street LaSalle IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Counties Served: LaSalle LaSalle-Peru Township High School offers a comprehensive program to provide academic, social, and vocational support to students who are classified as truant, chronically truant, potential dropouts, or retrieved dropouts. Our goals are to assist students to increase their attendance and improve their academic performance as they achieve a high school diploma. A strong collaboration between students, school staff, community partners, parents, and educators provides a solid foundation for student success. In the Attendance Advocacy Program, each student s strengths and needs are assessed in order to determine which interventions and educational resources would be most meaningful for the student. Students are connected to community resources, mentoring opportunities, vocational exploration, and school-based services. Academic enrichment opportunities such as tutoring, credit recovery courses, and summer school are considered for students who are strug-gling academically. An optional education classroom is available to our students to provide a small, structured, and individualized educational setting. In this setting, students complete self-guided online classes and participate in in-teractive activities that sharpen their critical thinking skills. Social skills groups, personal development projects, vocational exploration, and individual social work services are also included. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: LaSalle-Peru Township High School District #120 68

74 Lincoln Community High School District #404 - Project LIFT Lincoln CHSD #404 Robert Bagby, Superintendent 1000 Railer Way Lincoln IL Phone: (217) Ext [email protected] Website: Janet Lovdahl 1000 Primm Road Lincoln IL Phone: (217) Ext [email protected] Counties Served: Logan Lincoln Community High School's Intervention For Truancy, Project LIFT, serves chronic truants, truants and potential dropouts in a variety of ways. The Truancy Social Worker provides services which include but are not limited to the following: recruitment of parents to work in partnership with the school; counseling services; referral of students to tutors; After School to make up credit deficiencies for freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors; flexible scheduling which allows for compacting the school day to meet individual student needs; experience related work programs; and referral to appropriate community organizations and agencies. After School online curriculum classes are one component of the program. Classes in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science are offered on a regular basis and are taught by members of the LCHS faculty. Computer courses including the institution of the Edgenuity program, allows students to work at their own pace without the constraints of a traditional classroom setting. This format encourages program participants to take responsibility for completion of the required material to earn course credit. After School allows students with credit deficiencies an opportunity to get back on track in their attempt to earn a high school diploma. Program participants utilize After School to complete course work in order to focus on a vocational or work program during the regular school day. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Lincoln Community High School 69

75 Mt Vernon Township High School District #201 - TAOEP Program Mt. Vernon Township High School District #201 Michael Smith, Superintendent 320 South 7th St. Mt. Vernon IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Website: Julie Littlefair 320 South 7th Street Mt. Vernon IL Phone: (618) [email protected] Counties Served: Jefferson The MVTHS TAOEP program has the following program components that compliment existing school and community programs: Social Workers -They counsel students, provide group and crisis counseling utilizing Life Skills Training, make home visits, and keep parents informed. Truancy Support Team This team is composed of MVTHS personnel and community agency stakeholders. They are responsible for selecting participants, recommending services, monitoring, and evaluating the program. Credit Recovery - OdysseyWare will be available to students each hour of the day as well as before, after school, and in the summer to enable students to stay on target for graduation. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Mt. Vernon Township High school District #201 70

76 PORTA Community Unit School District #202 - TAOEP Program PORTA Community Unit District #202 Matthew Brue, Superintendent Bluejay Road Petersburg IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Matthew Brue Bluejay Road Petersburg IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Menard Truancy has been consistently cited by juvenile crime professionals as a predisposing factor in juvenile crime and as a part of life for court-involved youths. Additionally, research has shown that high school dropouts enter the workforce with considerably less skills and with a higher propensity to live a life of poverty compared to their more educated counterparts. These realities can create tremendous financial and social burdens on a community. With these thoughts in mind, a retrospective review of the PORTA CUSD #202 truancy problem, as well as the social and academic challenges facing the students in our community was performed. The sobering results suggest a school district in need of truancy abatement services. To this end, we formulated a multi-faceted approach to the problem of truancy, combining truancy prevention, intervention, remediation and alternative education services. In the process of creating activities and organizing services for such an undertaking, we decided that an evidence-based approach would maximize resources on research-proven and effective programs. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Truant Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 6-21 Program Sites: PORTA CUSD #202 71

77 Quincy School District #172 - TAOEP Program Quincy School District #172 Dr. Cal Lee, Superintendent 1416 Maine Street Quincy IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Carol Frericks 1416 Maine Street Quincy IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Adams Quincy Public Schools has developed a comprehensive program to provide academic, social-emotional, career, and parent/guardian support to students who are truant and chronically truant, as well as those who have dropped out or are at-risk of dropping out. The goal of the TAOEP program is to improve the academic performance and attendance of students, as well as to enhance their sense of school connection. The students served within this program, in grades 7-12, attend three sites: Quincy Jr. High School (Supplemental Services), Quincy Sr. High School (Supplemental Services), QPS Graduation Assistance Program (GAP) (Optional/Alternative Education). The Academic Services to be provided include academic counseling, tutoring, credit recovery program online curriculum, and summer school academy. The Non-Academic Services to be provided include, health-related services, home visits, life skills training, mentoring, monitoring, personal counseling, referral for social/academic services, parent/family support services, and transportation. The Career-Related Services to be provided include career service and work experience. TAOEP program services will ensure: 1). An Individualized Service Plan for each student: 2). A Tutor and Family Liaison to monitor, coordinate, and provide needed services; 3). Edgenuity course curriculum within school or extended-day or extended-year programming. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) and Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 7-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Quincy Public School District #

78 Rockford Public Schools District #205 - Rockford Attendance Initiative Rockford Public Schools District #205 Dr. Ehren Jarrett, Superintendent 501 7th Street Rockford IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Website: Angela Hite-Carter 501 7th Street Rockford IL Phone: (815) [email protected] Counties Served: Winnebago This program addresses chronic truancy, academic failure, and school engagement through interventions provided at the high school level. We concentrate our efforts on 9th grade students during their transition phase and provide identified students intense casework services. In addition, upper grade levels (10th, 11th and 12th grade) students receive case work services based on previous years chronic truancy target percentages. Our objectives are to increase attendance and academic achievement levels for all identified students within the chronic truancy framework. Activities and services are: 1. Develop in-school support services which are aligned to community based social service interventions, i.e. students / family issues, social barriers and other domestic challenges. 2. All students identified will receive intervention and support services to assist themselves and their respective families. 3. Ensure identified students receive instructional support aligned to academic achievement within their respective schools, during in-school tutoring opportunities, alternative learning site placements, and through community based services. Areas of concentration include identifying truancy causal factors, eradicating barriers to intervention, providing students with career pathway decisions, coping skills, parent and academic support. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Auburn High School, East High School, Guilford High School, Jefferson High School 73

79 Round Lake Area Unit School District #116 - TAOEP Program Dr. Constance R. Collins 801 Sunset Drive Court Round Lake IL Phone: (847) [email protected] Website: Eric Apgar 882 N. Nippersink Road Round Lake IL Phone: (847) [email protected] Counties Served: Lake RLAS 116 TAOEP project is to address the concerns of truancy by implementing policies and procedures that focus on providing intervention strategies to assist students with improving their attendance and overall attitude towards school. Activities: Teen Court Teen Court is a volunteer program where the primary goal is to enable eligible students to accept responsibility for their offense through participating in an alternative court process. The hearings are brought before a volunteer attorney two times per month and tried by an attorney, who presides as judge, and a jury of peers. Parent Journey Parent Journey is an educational class for truant students and families. The class sessions are held 1 day per week for six weeks. Outcomes: Implemented district-wide truancy procedures that divide students into various levels of truancy based on severity and chronicity of symptoms and additional factors. Individualized Optional and Education Plan (IOEP) are developed for students receiving TAOEP services. The plan identifies student strengths and weaknesses and established solution-focused goals that dictate how interventions will be delivered. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services) Students Served: Potential Dropout Grade of Students Served: K-12 Age of Students Served: 5-17 Program Sites: Round Lake Area School District #116 74

80 Thornton Fractional District #215 - TAOEP Program Dr. Creg E. Williams, Superintendent 1601 Wentworth Avenue Calumet City IL Phone: (708) [email protected] Website: Mike Fies 1605 Wentworth Avenue Calumet City IL Phone: (708) [email protected] Counties Served: Cook The purpose of the district s TAOEP Program is to identify students that are at-risk of dropping out and provide targeted, evidence-based intervention services that will improve students retention, promotion, and graduation rates, decrease suspension rates, and increase the number of students who are college and career ready. Our multi-faceted program includes the following: an alternative learning environment in a smaller setting (located on our vocational center campus), a daily TAOEP intervention class that focuses on developing coping skills that assist students with overcoming obstacles that interfere with school attendance, weekly group and individual counseling, online credit recovery, and restorative justice training. This program offers rigorous academic coursework and comprehensive non-academic supports that will help ensure that students obtain the skills they need to successfully graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education and employment opportunities. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services), Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropouts Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology, Thornton Fractional North High School, Thornton Fractional South High School 75

81 Thornton Township High School District #205 - TAOEP Leotis Swopes, Superintendent 465 East 170th St South Holland IL Phone: (708) [email protected] Website: Jerry Doss 465 East 170th St South Holland IL Phone: (708) [email protected] Counties Served: Cook Thornton Township High School District 205, serving over 4,887 students, implements a program to intervene with potential dropouts and retrieve dropouts to facilitate their progress towards graduation. The district has a chronic truancy rate of 15% compared to the state average of 9%, a dropout rate of 3.9%, and a low-income rate over 82.1%. The program includes mentoring by truancy outreach professionals, academic assistance, credit recovery, Plato for 12th graders, parent consultation, and other efforts to assist students in staying in school and working towards high school diplomas, including: Intervention and Prevention. Services for chronic truants and potential dropouts will include counseling, tutoring, and parent involvement activities. Outreach professionals and program coordinator will provide direct services, as well as linkage to other school and community services. Retrieval Counseling will be provided to dropouts to examine a return to traditional education, or alternative options. The Individual Optional Education Plan (IOEP) is monitored by program coordinator, outreach professionals, guidance counselors, program counselors, teachers, students, and parents. The goal of the project is to increase student attendance, reduce the dropout rate and increase high school graduation rate. This goal should, in turn, increase the graduation rate, an important component of adequate yearly progress. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services), Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Chronic Truants, Truants, Potential Dropouts Grade of Students Served: 9-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: Thornridge High School, Thornton Township High School, Thornwood High School 76

82 Urbana School District #116 - Urbana Adult Education Urbana School District #116 Dr. Don Owen, Superintendent 205 North Race St. Urbana, IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Website: Samuel Byndom 211 North Race St. Urbana, IL Phone: (217) [email protected] Counties Served: Champaign The TAOEP provided by Urbana School District 116 consists of two major parts, specifically the Urbana Adult Education Center s Storefront Academy, which provides an Optional Education program for high school dropouts age who will work to earn high school credit leading to their high school diploma or GED. Secondly, caseworkers to provide supportive services in each Urbana school building. The TAOEP that we offer is the only program that provides educational services for students age who dropped out of traditional high school in ROE #9. Furthermore, these students require flexible scheduling and additional support to successfully earn a high school diploma or GED. Our program targets dropouts/potential dropouts and chronic truants. This program provides supportive services to participants to achieve our objectives of improving attendance, college and career readiness, and decreasing recidivism rates culminating in grade advancement and high school completion, which we understand as the keystone to a successful program for TAOEP students. Type of Service Offered: Truant Intervention (Supplemental Services), Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 5-21 Age of Students Served: K-12 Program Sites: Urbana Adult Education Center; Urbana High School; Urbana Middle School; Martin Luther King Elementary; Prairie Elementary; Leal Elementary; Yankee Ridge Elementary; Wiley Elementary; Thomas Paine Elementary 77

83 Waukegan Community Unit School District #60 - Alternative Optional Education Center (AOEC) Waukegan CUSD #60 Dr. Donald R. Batiste, Superintendent 1201 North Sheridan Road Waukegan IL Phone: (224) [email protected] Website: Grant A. Flink 1020 Glen Rock Avenue Waukegan IL Phone: (224) [email protected] Counties Served: Lake The mission of Waukegan s Alternative Optional Education Center (AOEC) is to identify the social, emotional and academic needs of our students and provide the appropriate support services and interventions to ensure their success as students and citizens of our community. With this in mind, we have developed partnerships with the Lake County Health Department, YWCA, College of Lake County, and other agencies to provide a wide range of services for our students. AOEC has several programs designed to improve the educational outcomes of District 60 s at-risk students. These programs serve students in grades 6-12 who have experienced difficulties achieving academic success. Both the middle school and high school programs target students who have fallen behind their peers academically due to a variety of personal stressors. Both programs utilize a non-traditional, self-directed approach that combines direct and computer-based instruction adapted to the needs of each student. The instructional and support staff at AOEC maintain a communal learning atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation with parents and the student body. Additionally, the Saturday School and Summer School programs offer extra instructional time for students to further their academic achievement. Type of Service Offered: Optional Education/Alternative Students Served: Potential Dropout, Dropout, Truant and Chronic Truant Grade of Students Served: 6-12 Age of Students Served: Program Sites: AOEC/Stephens Center, Waukegan IL 78

84 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer This publication was prepared pursuant to a grant with the Illinois State Board of Education. Governor Bruce Rauner Illinois State Board of Education Dr. Tony Smith, State Superintendent James T. Meeks, Board Chair