Transition-to-Success Mentoring Act

Mentoring for at-risk middle schoolers

If enacted, the bill would create a Transition-to-Success Mentoring Program at the Department of Education. The Secretary would award grants to Title I or other high-need school districts and nonprofit partners. Grants may run for up to five years. Each eligible middle school student would be assigned a success coach. Each coach-student match must last at least one academic year. Students, coaches, school staff, and parents would write a 'plan for success.' Coaches must meet one-on-one monthly and convene quarterly meetings with parents, teachers, or counselors. Coaches must get at least two hours of initial training and pass reference, child-abuse, and criminal background checks. Grants could pay for coach recruitment, pay, training, college visits, internships, summer job connections, inclusive youth activities, and program evaluation. The Secretary would report program findings to Congress after the third and fifth fiscal years.