“Beyond Attendance: Addressing the Root Causes of Chronic Absenteeism”
Free Webinar for Educators – A practical conversation on why students aren’t showing up—and what schools can do differently.
The Challenge
If you’re like most schools right now, attendance isn’t just a metric—it’s a daily struggle.
- Students missing days…
- Students disengaged even when they’re present…
- Staff working hard but feeling like the same strategies aren’t moving the needle…
And the reality is:
Chronic absenteeism isn’t just about attendance.
It’s often a signal of deeper challenges—
disconnection, anxiety, lack of belonging, and unmet student needs.
Join us live – Wednesday April 22nd @
1:00-2:00 Mountain | 12 Pacific | 2 Central | 3 Eastern
Why This Conversation Matters
Many schools respond to absenteeism with policies, incentives, or consequences.
But lasting improvement happens when we understand—and address—the root causes.
This webinar brings together experienced education leaders from WhyTry and RaaWee K12 to explore what’s really driving absenteeism and what schools can do differently.
What You’ll Learn
In this session, we’ll discuss:
- What’s really behind chronic absenteeism in today’s schools
- Why traditional approaches often fall short
- How connection, belonging, and relationships impact attendance
- What schools are doing that’s making a real difference
- Practical starting points—even if your team feels overwhelmed
What You’ll Walk Away With
✔ A clearer understanding of the why behind absenteeism
✔ Practical, realistic strategies you can begin using
✔ Ideas to strengthen student connection and engagement
✔ A renewed sense of direction for your school or team
Who Should Attend
School and district leaders – Counselors and support staff – Teachers – Attendance and MTSS teams – Anyone working to improve student engagement and outcomes
💬 Know a colleague who’d benefit? Share the link—this is a conversation every educator should be part of.
About the Partnership
RaaWeeK12
Supporting schools with innovative approaches to student connection, engagement, and system-wide improvement.
WhyTry
Helping students build resilience, motivation, and the skills they need to stay engaged in school.
Meet our panelists:
David Kopperude
David is the Child Welfare and Attendance Consultant for the California Department of Education, and he chairs the State School Attendance Review Board which provides statewide policy coordination and personnel training to reduce chronic absenteeism rates and the number of dropouts in the state public education system. David encourages the development of strategies to remove the barriers to attendance for California’s most vulnerable students through the Model SARB Recognition Program which uses exemplary school districts to disseminate effective practices to improve attendance among all of California’s students. David now serves as a Consultant at RaaWee K12.
Sharon Bradley
Sharon Bradley is a Texas education leader with more than 25 years of experience in student engagement, equity, and dropout prevention. She has served as a teacher, principal, and district administrator, leading initiatives that significantly reduced chronic absenteeism and built stronger systems of support for students and families. Widely recognized for her innovative and equity-driven approach, Sharon has been honored nationally for her impact in helping districts reimagine attendance and student success. She now serves as a Principal Consultant at RaaWee K12.
Jason Johnson
Jason Johnson is a licensed school psychologist and Director of Training & Research for WhyTry, where he consults and trains educators nationwide on resilience-based strategies to support student success. A nationally recognized expert in resilience education, he has spoken at hundreds of conferences and led WhyTry program implementations in schools, healthcare, corporate settings, and the U.S. Military. Passionate about helping students overcome challenges, Jason is dedicated to creating a culture of resilience in education.