Rapid response study · Completed
How are schools putting the Navigator Program into practice and what supports would help them?
This study helped MNPS refine how it supports schools to implement the Navigator Program.
Guided by the findings, the district made several changes for the next school year:
The MNPS Navigator Program aims to connect every student in the district to a caring adult who serves as their mentor, advocate, and advisor – their “navigator.” Navigators can be teachers, counselors, or other school staff members. Every school identifies a lead navigator to support program implementation and serve as a liaison with the district implementation team. The program is designed to strengthen student-adult relationships through students’ use of a computer-based weekly reflection platform and an in-person monthly check-in with their navigator.
The research team interviewed current navigators in schools with varying levels of implementation quality, reported findings back to district leaders, and helped establish a set of action steps to improve monitoring and school supports for implementation in the 2023-24 school year.
METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Caroline Marks
Former NashvillePeer Co-Director
Krista Davis
Director of Research and Evaluation
Nécole Elizer
Social and Emotional Learning Specialist
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Maury Nation
Professor, Human & Organizational Development
Megan McCormick
Doctoral Student
