{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Innovative Schools Podcast","title":"S3:E3 - 50 Outside-the-Box Strategies on How to Reduce Absenteeism","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/3b71e33b\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3395,"description":"Recorded at the Innovative Schools Summit (San Antonio, Dec 2025), Kevin facilitates a rapid 50 in 50 panel where five experts share 50 practical ideas to boost attendance. The big message: Attendance is a culture signal—improve belonging, remove barriers, and make school worth showing up for.👥 Featured SpeakersCharles Williams - Previously a CPS administrator & founder of C.W. Consulting, with 20 years of Classroom ExperienceDr. Darren Pepperd - 26 years in education, Lead Innovator for Road to AwesomeSharon Bradley - 25 years in education, Principal and educator consultant, founder of Restorative Flow Educational SolutionsMoses Oheda - 32 years in education, leads a 13 CT program schoolDr. Tracey Severns - Nationally Recognized Education Strategist & Founder of Teach4Results, with over 36 years in education🧠 Key Takeaways✔️ Reframe the language: move from “truant/chronically absent” to “students who need belonging and support.”✔️ Relationships drive attendance: connect every student to trusted adults, peers, and activities.✔️ Remove obstacles that make attendance difficult—by addressing basic needs and eliminating school practices that unintentionally discourage students from returning.✔️ Make it visible + motivating: set realistic goals (not “perfect”), track progress, celebrate consistently.✔️ Reduce reentry shame: welcome-back routines and catch-up systems help students return without feeling overwhelmed.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️“Perfect is demoralizing.”🗣️“Do not be the reason why a child chooses not to come to school.”🗣️“Attendance is a symptom of your culture.”🗣️“The goal is not to get kids to court. The goal is to get kids to class.”🗣️“If our instruction is not relevant… why do they need to be there?”🎯 51 Strategies for School Leaders and Staff to Address Absenteeism Reframe labels around absenteeism (belonging vs. truancy)Second-mile service welcome language Build intentional school connectedness Family–student attendance conferences Shadow a student for a...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/H4liWdY1xtMscQdFua-WDg0togPx-4mqxbFLQt2ZRrg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81N2U1/MTMwNWYzZDkyNGYz/ODgyYjExYWM5NjU1/YWYwOS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}