Presented by Hedy Chang, Executive Director, Attendance Works; Dr. Katreena Shelby, Principal at District of Columbia Public Schools; Shelly Gray, Principal of Literacy at District of Columbia Public Schools; and Amanda Alexander, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer, Scholastic
Presented by Christian Adair, Founder and Director, Alpha League; Ebony Hinson, MPA, Deputy Assistant Superintendent, School Support, Camden City School District (NJ); and Terica Butler, Ed.D., Director of Development, FACE and Literacy Initiatives, Scholastic
Presented by BreAnn Fennell, Second-Grade Teacher, Reagan Elementary School (OH); Valente’ Gibson, Elementary After-School Coordinator, Richland School District Two (SC); Eddie Vitcavage, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Roger Sherman Elementary School (CT); Tim Wheeler, Third-Grade Teacher, Williams Elementary School (IL); and Amanda Alexander, Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer, Scholastic
Presented by Karen L. Mapp, Ed.D., Professor of Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Anne T. Henderson, Founder and Senior Consultant, National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE); and Jenni Brasington, National Director, FACE, Scholastic
Chronic absenteeism—students missing 10 or more school days in a year—has been rising across the United States. A recent study by Panorama Education showed that absenteeism nearly doubled from 2018-19 to 2023-24. That means more students missing out not just on academic learning but also on opportunities to connect with teachers and peers, impacting their future. During the edLeader Panel “Improving Attendance: Levers Within Your District’s Locus of Control,” district leaders identified key strategies that have helped get students back in the classroom.
Presented by Dr. Jodi Nocero, Director, Pupil Services, Oxnard School District (CA); Tara Ramirez, Manager of Federal and State Grants, Oxnard School District (CA); Dr. Kelvin Roldán, Deputy Commissioner for System Transformation, Rhode Island Department of Education; and Douglas Coulter, Director of Data Science, Panorama Education
Moderated by Meagan Naboulsi, Account Manager, Panorama Education
The best lesson plans and classrooms don’t make a difference if the students aren’t present. Chronic absenteeism poses a significant challenge for students, so what can be done about it?
Presented by Dr. Joshua P. Starr, Managing Partner, The Center for Model Schools; Dr. Jessica Huizenga, Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools; Elliot Ransom, Co-CEO, UChicago Impact; and Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent of Schools, Madison Metropolitan School District (WI), and 2024 National Superintendent of the Year
Presented by Sharon Bradley, District Director, Author and Speaker, RestorativeFlo Educational Solutions
Moderated by Kyra Rhoads, Education Partnership Regional Manager, Committee for Children
Presented by Dr. Jeff Dillon, Superintendent, Wilder School District (ID); Melissa Dilling, CTE Coordinator, Marysville School District (WA); and Terry Thoren, CEO, Wonder Media