A Developmental Study of the Keeping Kids in School Initiative

WestEd and Sonoma County Probation Department propose a study of an innovative approach to improve school climate and safety and reduce truancy among risky student populations. The Keeping Kids in School (KKIS) initiative is a modified wraparound program designed to provide outreach and intensive case management services to students at moderate and high risk for chronic absenteeism within a multi-tiered behavioral supports framework. Anticipated outcomes are to improve school climate and safety, engage risky student populations, and reduce exclusionary disciplinary actions at the student level. The study will include two rapid cycle evaluations to refine the enhanced model, and then an impact evaluation of this enhancement using a quasi-experimental study that compares 10 schools with the enhanced KKIS model matched to 10 similar schools using only the original KKIS program. A total of 20 schools serving approximately 12,000 students across grades K-12 within two districts will be included in the project. Each district will contribute 5 elementary schools, 3 intermediate schools, and 2 high schools. This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in the applicable law. See 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). ca/ncf