Chronic Absenteeism Got You Down? These Kansas School Leaders Have Answers

If you've been staring down attendance spreadsheets, sipping your third cup of coffee, and wondering, "How do we get these kids back in seats?"—you're not alone. Chronic absenteeism is a puzzle every school district encounters, and back in February, we sat down with three Kansas school district heroes who've been there, seen it, and (mostly) conquered it.

Our founder, Kyle, hosted an engaging, candid conversation with three superstar school leaders: Jason Malaschak, Data Coordinator from Piper-Kansas City Schools; Kevin Hansford, Superintendent at Kingman-Norwich Schools; and Jenifer Davis, Superintendent at El Dorado Schools. For almost an hour, these three tackled the tough issue of chronic absenteeism, sharing strategies, insights, and a few entertaining stories along the way.

Data: Your Secret Weapon (Yes, Really!)

Turns out, your data actually has a lot to say about attendance. Jason, Kevin, and Jenifer shared how they leverage detailed analytics, pulled directly from ion, to zero in on attendance trends before they become problems. Who knew numbers could be this exciting? (Well, Jason did—and he's convincing the rest of us.)

Connecting With Families: Less Finger-Wagging, More High-Fiving

One key takeaway? Families respond best when you help them feel supported, not judged. The conversation highlighted engaging tactics that build positive relationships, making school attendance feel less like a chore and more like a win-win.

Watch the Full Conversation

Want to see exactly how these Kansas leaders are tackling absenteeism—and having a little fun while they're at it? Check out the full conversation below. Grab your notebook, your coffee, and maybe even your popcorn—because this is one webinar that's as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Got your own attendance tips, tricks, or hilarious school stories? We'd love to hear about them in the comments!