Best Chronic Absenteeism Podcasts (2024)

1
Nat Malkus on Chronic Absenteeism 27:22

21d ago27:22

27:22

Nat Malkus joins Robert to talk about the staggering number of children who regularly miss school each year. They discuss chronic absenteeism in schools, and how teachers, parents, and elected officials can address the serious problem facing the nation. Nat Malkus is a Senior Fellow at AEI where he conducts empirical research on K-12 and higher edu…

1
Building Success With High Standards And A Positive Environment - Dr. David Arencibia 21:29

4h ago21:29

21:29

Today our guest is Dr. David Arencibia the Principal at Colleyville Middle School in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Dr. Arencibia shares about his new book, “Foundations of an Elite Culture: Building Success with High Standards and a Positive Environment.” He shares how high standards and a positive culture are the two pillars of a healthy campus, and …

1
The Importance Of Prioritizing Mental Health, Especially For Young Men - Ryan Breen & Adam Giardina 24:19

8d ago24:19

24:19

Today our guests are Ryan Breen, a sophomore at Chaminade High School and Adam Giardina, Guidance Counselor at Chaminade High School. We talk to Ryan & Adam about an article that Ryan wrote for the New York Post Scholars Contest that focuses on the mental health of of young men. Ryan shares why he wrote the article and the needs that he is seeing i…

1
Ken Pollack on the War in Gaza 33:12

3d ago33:12

33:12

Ken Pollack sits down with Robert to talk about the war in Gaza and the broader context of Arab-Israeli conflict. They discuss how the war has shifted public opinion about Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, as well as what an end to the conflict would look like. Ken Pollack is a senior fellow at AEI, where he works on Middle Eastern politic…

1
Building Capacity Instead of Buy-In To Implement With Fidelity - Dr. Andre Stout 23:38

7d ago23:38

23:38

Today our guest is Dr. Andre Stout, Principal at Truman Middle School in Tacoma, WA. We talk with Dr. Stout about building capacity rather than seeking buy-in to implement social & emotional learning with fidelity. He explains the distinction between capacity and buy-in, emphasizing the importance of staff truly possessing the capacity to effective…

1
Community Development Days - Chris Young 22:07

14d ago22:07

22:07

Today our guest is Chris Young, Principal at North Country Union High School in Newport, Vermont. We talk with Chris about the innovative Community Development Days at North Country. These events provide students with a dedicated space to discuss and learn about crucial topics such as mental health, wellness, and bullying. Chris shares the journey …

1
Loud Noises! The Issues, Drama, and Wins in Minnesota's 2024 Legislative Session 1:04:41

15d ago1:04:41

1:04:41

In the wrap-up episode of the 2024 Minnesota legislative session, Josh and Margaret are joined by Matt Shaver, EdAllies' Policy Director, to assess what has been accomplished for Minnesota students in the last few months. In the episode, Matt explains why this session's politics have left him "weary," details the non-education topics that have domi…

1
How PBIS and Social & Emotional Learning Can Come Together In A Building - Marcy Carter 23:23

21d ago23:23

23:23

Today our guest is Marcy Carter the Middle School Dean of Students at Parchment Public Schools in Kalamazoo MI. We talk with Marcy the integration of PBIS and social emotional learning in a building. She emphasizes the necessity of combining both these elements and the significance of a PBIS matrix as a foundation. Marcy also highlights the importa…

1
Mayor Brandon Scott Opens up about leading Baltimore. 30:15

30d ago30:15

30:15

Title: "One Door at a Time: The Journey of Mayor Brandon Scott" Description: Join us on this captivating live episode of "One Door at a Time," hosted by Dr. David Heiber, featuring a profound conversation with the Mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott. Broadcasting in front of an enthusiastic live audience, this episode dives deep into Mayor Scott's in…

1
Understanding The Impact Of Restorative Practices - Felisha Santiago 12:51

28d ago12:51

12:51

Today our guest is Felisha Santiago, Director of School Supports at CharacterStrong. We talk to Felisha about the impact of Restorative Practices can have in our schools, with both students & staff. She discusses how restorative practices assist students who have committed an offense to reflect and rectify the situation. Felisha talks about how res…

1
Marc Thiessen on Aiding Ukraine 31:00

1M ago31:00

31:00

Marc Thiessen joins Robert to talk about the recent passage of Ukraine aid, why Donald Trump needs Nikki Haley voters to win in November, and the continuing fascination with Hungary among elements of the American right. Marc Thiessen is a Senior Fellow at AEI. His work focuses on US foreign and defense policy issues and American presidential leader…

1
How Student Behavior Impacts Educator Burnout And What You Can Do About It - Dr. Lori Lynass 19:01

1M ago19:01

19:01

Today our guest is Dr. Lori Lynass, Director of Tier 2 and Tier 3 at CharacterStrong. We talk with Dr. Lynass the impact of student behavior on educator burnout and possible solutions. She gives a current statistic that shows that teachers have the highest burnout rate among professionals right now. Dr. Lynass explains that student misbehavior ofte…

1
Exploring Educational Journeys and Public Service with Councilwoman Phylicia Porter 26:39

1M ago26:39

26:39

Join David Heiber, CEO of Concentric, on this inspiring episode of "One Door at a Time," featuring special guest, Baltimore City 10th District Councilwoman Phylicia Porter. Dive deep into a captivating conversation about Councilwoman Porter's formative years growing up in Baltimore, her educational path, and her unwavering dedication to her constit…

1
Providing Students the Support they Need in Post-Pandemic Times 30:30

1M ago30:30

30:30

In the second episode of season three, Patricia Balana, Managing Director of the GRAD Partnership, joins Dr. Robert Balfanz to discuss how and why nine organizations came together to form the GRAD Partnership. The coalition is a national initiative that partners with communities to implement high-quality student success systems so that schools are …

1
Where Are Our Kids? Unpacking Chronic Absenteeism In Minnesota 57:50

2M ago57:50

57:50

In this episode of the amplifiEd, Josh Crosson and Matt Shaver discuss the issue of chronic absenteeism in schools with Jim Davnie, the executive director of the Minnesota Alliance with Youth. The conversation explores the definition of chronic absenteeism, its causes, and its impact on students and the school community. They also discuss the Minne…

1
Chronic Absenteeism: The Importance of Connectedness - Dr. Clay Cook 13:28

1M ago13:28

13:28

Today our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about the importance of connectedness when it comes to Chronic Absenteeism. He first asks the question “What happens when people don’t feel connected?” and shares about the SERVE model that helps educators intentionally connect at school. Dr. Cook al…

1
From Baltimore Roots to City Leadership: A Conversation with Council President Nick Mosby 38:42

2M ago38:42

38:42

Join Dr. David Heiber on this enlightening episode of "One Door at a Time," where he welcomes a very special guest, Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby. Born and raised in the heart of Baltimore, Nick shares his deeply personal journey from the classrooms of Baltimore City Schools to the historic halls of Tuskegee University, and back to hi…

1
Dan Cox on the Gender Divide within Gen Z 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

Dan Cox joins Robert to talk about the growing divide between Generation Z men and women. They discuss the corrosive effects of social media, declining interest in relationships and marriage, and the potential effects on the 2024 election of increasing gender-based political polarization. Dan is the Director of the Survey Center for American Life a…

1
How Can We Start To Solve For Chronic Absenteeism? - Dr. Clay Cook 11:32

2M ago11:32

11:32

Today our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, Chief development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about ways that we can begin to solve for Chronic Absenteeism. Dr. Cook emphasizes the need for a process to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism. He shares that merely defining the problem isn't sufficient. Instead, we should look to understa…

1
Summer Unplugged: Navigating Screen Time and Finding Balance for Kids 30:12

2M ago30:12

30:12

As millions of students prepare for summer vacation, many parents may worry about endless time spent on the screen. Michael Rich, pediatrician and Director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, says children spend more time on the screen during the summer but that the real challenge is balance between screen time and offline ac…

1
District Partner Spotlight: Jennifer Klauss & David O’ Konek - Richland School District 31:57

2M ago31:57

31:57

Today our guests our Jennifer Klauss, Executive Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning and Derek O'Konek, Executive Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning both in the Richland School District. We talk to Jen & Derek about the CharacterStrong partnership that the Richland School District has as they support students. They highlight the succes…

1
LET'S TALK CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM WITH HEDY CHANG 28:32

2M ago28:32

28:32

In this enlightening episode of "One Door at a Time," host Dr. David Heiber welcomes a remarkable force in the world of education, Hedy Nai-Lin Chang, the visionary founder and Executive Director of Attendance Works. Together, they delve into the pivotal role of student attendance in shaping successful educational journeys and societal equity. With…

1
Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic 24:10

2M ago24:10

24:10

With looming threats of high teacher turnover rates during COVID-19, Olivia Chi, an assistant professor at Boston University, wanted to study how the pandemic shaped who decided to become a teacher. Many states foresaw serious disruptions to the teacher pipeline as testing centers and schools closed around the county. While teacher requirements dif…

1
Reversing the Decline in Rigorous Coursework Enrollment 56:21

2M ago56:21

56:21

In the wake of COVID-19, fewer students are taking rigorous classes in Minnesota. Moreover, Minnesota is home to significant disparities in who has access to advanced coursework—with students of color, low-income students, and students with disabilities missing out on opportunities to advance and even earn college credit. In this episode, amplifiED…

1
District Partner Spotlight: Caroline Oleson & Kelly Nelson - Madison Metropolitan School District 19:53

2M ago19:53

19:53

Today our guests are Caroline Oleson the Tier 2 SEL and Intensive Support Team for the Madison Metropolitan SD and Kelly Nelson the SEL Tier 2 Elementary Teacher Leader for the Madison Metropolitan School District We talk to Caroline & Kelly about their experience implementing CharacterStrong in their district. They share some implementation succes…

1
Discipline in Schools: Why Is Hitting Still an Option? 16:07

2M ago16:07

16:07

While most schools in the United States do not report using corporal punishment – the use of pain as punishment -- it still impacts tens of thousands of students annually, particularly in states where it remains legal. Jaime Peterson, a pediatrician and assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University, along with the American Academy of …

1
Creating Support For Others - Alexis Goddard 17:32

2M ago17:32

17:32

Today our guest is Alexis Goddard, School Counselor at Centennial High School in Corona, CA and the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year. We talk to Alexis about the importance of creating support for others everyday, both with students and staff. She talks about how impactful it is to check in with others and shares some systems that she h…

1
Making the Case for Universal FAFSA in Minnesota 39:57

3M ago39:57

39:57

Incoming Minnesota college students are leaving money on the table, and most don’t even realize it. Students who do not promptly fill out the FAFSA miss out on need-based grants, loans and work-study for a whole school year—and just as importantly, they miss out on potentially transformative information about resources that might have helped make c…

1
Combatting Chronic Absenteeism through Family Engagement 26:42

3M ago26:42

26:42

Family engagement plays a pivotal role in combatting chronic absenteeism. The number of students who are chronically absent – missing 10% or more of the school year – has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Eyal Bergman, senior vice president at Learning Heroes, studied this issue and was surprised to discover how schools with robust family engagement …

1
Building Success Systems for Students with Learning Disabilities 36:14

3M ago36:14

36:14

In the first episode of our third season, Dr. Saashya Rodrigo, Principal Researcher from the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), joins Dr. Balfanz to discuss the work NCLD is doing to ensure that students with disabilities feel a strong sense of agency, belonging, and connectedness and receive the support they need. She explains NCLD’…

1
Tony Mills on the Failures of Experts During COVID 43:50

3M ago43:50

43:50

Tony Mills joins Robert to talk about what policymakers and scientific experts got right and wrong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss school closures, lockdowns, masks, and vaccines. Tony highlights the loss of trust in experts and how the relationship between science, the media, and politics needs to change. Tony Mills is the Director …

1
Raising Up Mental Health Specialists From Within A District - Tyler Wolfe 21:04

3M ago21:04

21:04

Today our guest is Tyler Wolfe, the Director of Student Wellness at Dublin City Schools. We talk to Tyler about the increase in the mental health needs of students and how, to help meet these needs, they created a 2 year program that supports teachers in the district to go back to school to get their Masters degree. This is possible thru a partners…

1
Unlocking Education: A Conversation with Dr. Ivory Tolson 27:50

3M ago27:50

27:50

In this compelling episode of "One Door at a Time," hosted by Dr. David Heiber, we're honored to welcome a distinguished guest, Dr. Ivory Tolson. Renowned for his prolific contributions to academia, Dr. Tolson is celebrated as a scholar, author, and an accomplished researcher. As a full professor at Howard State University and the Director of Innov…

1
Getting to College: FAFSA Challenges for First Gen Students 21:53

3M ago21:53

21:53

For many first-generation college students, the dream of pursuing a college degree is often accompanied by financial uncertainty and adversities that keep it as just a dream. The faulty rollout of a new, more simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form may only keep this student population from even trying. “The intent of simpl…

1
Designing Education Season 3 Trailer 1:30

3M ago1:30

1:30

Season three of Designing Education, a podcast hosted by Robert Balfanz, director of the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, is about to begin! This season’s series will focus on exploring student success systems, the next generation of early warning, on-track, and multi-tiered system of supports, which aim to integrate and incre…

1
How To Center Joy & Happiness In The Experiences Of Students - Orlando Dobbin, Jr. 14:16

3M ago14:16

14:16

Today our guest is Orlando Dobbin, School Counselor at Aversboro Elementary School. We talk to Orlando about how to center joy and happiness in the experiences of students. He shares about how he works to build his programs around the students and allows them to help shape the spaces to allow students to grow, rest and play. Learn More About Charac…

1
BONUS: Michael Strain on Recent Inflation Report and the US Economy 39:19

3M ago39:19

39:19

Michael Strain joins Robert for a bonus episode to discuss the recent inflation numbers. They discuss whether the US economy will experience a soft landing, the US's economic relationship with China, and Trump and Biden's policy track records. Strain is the AEI Director of Economic Policy Studies and a columnist for Project Syndicate. His work focu…

1
Why Math is the Greatest Equalizer in School 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

Math has a problem when it comes to equitable learning. The way math is taught and how students are tracked is part of the issue, according to Kentaro Iwasaki, a former math teacher who led new math standards in California and now works with school districts nationwide to overhaul their math programs. Tracking in math contributes to segregation, wi…

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