Chronic absenteeism requires more than a single strategy or a single champion. It requires coordinated systems, trusted relationships, and data that drives action at every level. In this session, three practitioners will share how their distinct roles come together to support stronger attendance outcomes. Carol Ann Paul, Manager of State and Federal Programs and Special Populations at Wayne RESA, sets the foundation by introducing a shared vocabulary for discussing chronic absenteeism and connecting attendance practice to the Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) as a practical, data-informed action tool. Steve, a school and parent liaison with deep experience in attendance coordination and wraparound student support, walks participants through intervention strategies across the tiers of MTSS and explores how family engagement and relationship-building can address the barriers that data alone cannot see. Jason, Attendance Coordinator with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, closes by examining what effective partnership between schools, districts, and intermediate agencies looks like and how those connections support sustainable implementation. Whether you work in a building, a district office, or a regional agency, you will leave with a shared language, practical strategies, and a clearer sense of who your partners are in this work.
Tuesday September 29, 2026 9:40am - 10:50am PDT VT 460
Implementing MTSS in early childhood - grade 3 requires intentional design and strong collaboration. In this session, the Northville Public Schools Early Childhood MTSS leadership team will share their journey in building a tiered system that supports preschool learners, educators, and families. The team will highlight key structures, how early identification fits within the framework, and practical steps schools can take to begin integrating MTSS in preschool settings. Participants will leave with clear entry points and strategies to guide their own implementation.
Tuesday September 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:10pm PDT VT 460
We’ve all asked it—and our teams have, too: Are we there yet? In an MTSS framework, putting an intervention in place is only half the journey. The real challenge is accurately determining whether that intervention is actually moving the needle for our students. Designed for a diverse audience of administrators, MTSS coordinators, classroom teachers, and ancillary staff, this interactive breakout session moves past the theory of progress monitoring and dives straight into practical, real-world application. Together, we will explore how to leverage existing assessment data to evaluate intervention impact with confidence. Instead of just looking at spreadsheets, you will participate in collaborative activities and walk away with simple, plug-and-play frameworks and tools you can implement immediately. Learn how to streamline your data meetings, align your multidisciplinary team, and take the guesswork out of your MTSS decision-making.
Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:50pm - 3:00pm PDT VT 460
