Proving Ground

Proving Ground @HarvardCEPR. Using continuous improvement and #eddata to improve education. RT or following ≠ endorsement.

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

🌟 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬! 🌟
New research has shown that students across the country are still struggling to catch up to 2019 achievement levels in math and reading, with chronic absenteeism continuing to impede pandemic recovery.

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

🔔✨ Reminder: Our June networking session begins at 9:00 AM ET!

We’re excited to welcome Tauheedah Jackson, who will lead us through EdRedesign’s Success Planning strategy, an innovative personalized approach that ensures young people are known, seen, and heard and are supported by caring adults who help eliminate barriers and build on their strengths.

We look forward to seeing you there!

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Harvard Proving Ground's current and past partners, please join us for our monthly networking session on Thursday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m. (ET).

We’re excited to welcome Tauheedah Jackson, Ed.M., the Deputy Director of The EdRedesign Lab and the Director of EdRedesign’s Institute for Success Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She will lead a conversation on “Success Planning.”

We look forward to connecting with you all soon!

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Harvard Proving Ground's current and past partners, please join us for our monthly networking session on Thursday, June 5, at 9:00 a.m. (ET).

We’re excited to welcome Tauheedah Jackson, Ed.M., the Deputy Director of The EdRedesign Lab and the Director of EdRedesign’s Institute for Success Planning at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She will lead a conversation on “Success Planning.”

We look forward to connecting with you all soon!

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

The best decisions are made when students are included in the conversation. We asked students to share their thoughts on how schools can involve them in decisions that affect their lives.

Watch the video to hear their stories.

Together, we can create school communities where every student’s voice is heard. To partner or connect with us, visit: https://t.co/UlhbtECWvT

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

🚨 Addressing the Absenteeism Crisis in Kindergarten!

Did you know that kindergarten has the highest absenteeism problem of any elementary grade? Recent studies reveal alarming statistics, with some schools reporting nearly 90% chronic absenteeism rates.

@ABrundage1, Acting Director of Proving Ground at Harvard, sheds light on this issue in a new @The74 article, stating: "We see this U-shaped curve when charting absenteeism by grade. There is high absenteeism in kindergarten, it improves for several years, and typically rises again in late middle school." and the causes may be different for younger versus older students.

It's crucial that we acknowledge and address the absenteeism crisis in early education, as it sets the tone for a child's future learning journey. Ensuring consistent attendance not only impacts academic performance but also social and behavioral development. @aansari24

Let’s work together to create strategies that support our youngest learners and promote their success!

Read the complete article: https://t.co/Onpe8pTyA9

#Education #Kindergarten #AttendanceMatters #EarlyChildhoodEducation #StudentSuccess

[The 74 @The74]

Kindergarten has higher absenteeism rates than all other elementary grades in Ohio and several other states.

Read more here: https://t.co/84xVWHenVg

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Every student deserves to feel like they belong. We asked students to reflect on what schools can do to make every student feel more included and valued.

Watch the video to hear their stories.

Together, we can create spaces where every student feels included. To partner or connect with us, visit: https://t.co/RQzUDZFr6E

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Proving Ground is thrilled to announce its participation in the Attendance USA Conference 2025 in Indianapolis, IN, from May 20-21! Join us as we work to address the challenges of attendance and chronic absenteeism in schools. Our team will participate in a panel on "Risks and Regulations: Policy and Procedures."

Our esteemed panel of experts will dive into crucial topics, including:
✅ Keith Leleux, Executive Director of IATPD (Louisiana), will discuss truancy and dropout prevention insights.
✅ @ABrundage1, PhD, will explore districts' ability to identify and test evidence-based solutions.
✅ Arya Ansari, PhD (Ohio), will use national data to highlight the impacts of early childhood development and relevant policies.
✅ Kristen Martin, ESA (Hamilton County, Indiana), will provide a perspective on prosecution and its role in attendance initiatives.

We look forward to engaging with educators, policymakers, and advocates dedicated to improving student attendance and creating innovative solutions that keep students in the classroom!

Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate and learn from an incredible lineup of speakers. See you there! 🙌

#AttendanceUSA #ChronicAbsenteeism #Education #ProvingGround #Conference2025 #PolicyAndProcedures #Truancy #DropoutPrevention

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

🌟Join us at the Ohio Statewide Student Attendance Annual Conference! Dr. Christina Grant will lead a Leadership Fireside Chat on cross-sector partnerships & host a panel on innovative strategies for boosting student attendance. Don’t miss the session by Drs. Amber Humm Patnode & Nora Gannon-Slater on leveraging attendance data!

Let’s create impactful conversations together! #AttendOhio #StudentEngagement #EducationLeadership 📚🎓🤝

@SITG_Browns @SITG_Network @Battelle @OHEducation @fccincinnati @ColumbusCrew

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

What’s keeping students from school and how can we help? We asked students to reflect on the biggest challenges they and their peers face when it comes to staying engaged and attending school regularly.

Watch the video to hear their stories.

Together, we can build school communities that remove barriers to attendance. Join us in reimagining what school can be. To partner or connect with us, visit: https://t.co/RQzUDZETh6

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

📣 Join us for the second of four webinars as part of the 2025 Attendance Awareness Campaign: "Here Today, Ready for Tomorrow!" on Wednesday, May 14, at noon PT / 3 pm ET. This webinar will explore critical topics including:

✅ Learn how school climate impacts attendance
✅ Explore ways to identify health-related barriers early
✅ Hear how schools and partners are raising awareness and developing solutions

Register now!
https://t.co/3GFqfTflzN

#HereTodayReadyForTomorrow!

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

🌟 Join us on May 14 at noon PT / 3 ET for the second Attendance Awareness 2025 webinar! We’ll explore how health, well-being and safety are key to showing up. #HereTodayReadyForTomorrow!
🔗 Register: https://t.co/pqt9Xz0pgJ
@MENTORnational | @leagueofcities | @UnitedWay

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

💡 This Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re putting the spotlight on the moments that matter: the times when students felt empowered, thanks to educators who truly partnered with them! We asked students to share moments when collaborating with their teachers made a significant difference in their school experience.

Watch the video to hear their stories.

These stories remind us that student agency is not just important, it’s transformative. Join us in reimagining what school can be. To partner or connect with us, visit: https://t.co/RQzUDZETh6

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

🔔 Important: Topic Change!

Past and current PG partners, please join us today from 9 - 10 AM (ET) with Dr. Jal Mehta from @hgse for a discussion on "Human Leadership for Human Schools." We will focus on the importance of relationships and community-building in education. Let’s rethink our approach by prioritizing connection, respect, and wisdom.

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Strong relationships create the foundation for meaningful learning. We asked students to share their best advice on how teachers and principals can foster these connections.

Watch the video to hear their stories.

Together, we can build a community where every student is seen, heard, and valued. To partner or connect with us, visit: https://t.co/UlhbtECoGl

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Recently, we had the privilege of asking the student leaders from @ColsCitySchools for their insights on how to enhance the educational experience. Their perspectives are invaluable in fostering an environment that prioritizes inclusivity and student well-being.

Throughout this series, we'll explore key themes such as:
🤝 Relationship-building
👩‍🏫 Teacher & Student Collaboration
📉 Attendance Challenges
🤗 Inclusion & Sense of Belonging
🗣️ Student Voice

Join us as we unpack these vital topics and discover how we can work together to create more supportive and enriching educational environments.

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Join us for the @HarvardPG's monthly networking session on Thursday, May 1st, at 9:00 a.m. (ET). We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Jal Mehta, a Harvard Graduate School of Education professor. He will lead a thought-provoking conversation on "Actualizing the Portrait of a Graduate."

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow partners and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of education.

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

🌟 During our final session with the OH Attendance Improvement Network, we celebrated the progress and foundations they've built for meaningful change in student outcomes. As we celebrated this milestone, district teams reflected on their growth and the lessons learned throughout this journey.

Here are a few of their insights from our closing session:

@akronschools
@euclidschools
@BereaCSD
@CCS_District
@EastCleSchools
@OHEducation
@Battelle
@SITG_Browns @SITG_Network
@Browns
#CentervilleCitySchools #MansfieldCitySchools #YoungstownCitySchools

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Exciting news! Today is the final whole group session for our Ohio Attendance Improvement Network district teams. 🎉 It has been an incredible journey working alongside such dedicated educators who are committed to improving student attendance across Ohio. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed! Together, we can make a difference! 📚

@akronschools @euclidschools @BereaCSD @CCS_District @EastCleSchools @OHEducation @Battelle @SITG_Network @Browns #CentervilleCitySchools #MansfieldCitySchools #YoungstownCitySchools

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Exciting news! @euclidschools will join the "Teams Make All the Difference for Supporting Attendance" webinar on April 2nd from 3-4:30 PM ET with @attendanceworks!

Register here: https://t.co/4DwsghXjnb

[Attendance Works @attendanceworks]

🚀 Tackling chronic absence takes a team effort! Join Attendance Works & AAC partners on April 2, noon PT / 3 ET to hear how to build attendance teams that drive real change.
🔗 Save your spot: https://t.co/pqt9Xz0pgJ
@BeALearningHero | @MENTORnational | @leagueofcities

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Excited to see the work of the @Browns and @SITG_Network recognized. This partnership has been a great opportunity to support districts with their attendance goals. Learn more about the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network led by the Cleveland Browns - https://t.co/2BdXhUk2XF

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

Harvard Proving Ground's current and past partners, please join us for our monthly networking session on Thursday, March 6, at 9:00 a.m. (ET). We're excited to welcome Dr. Kimberly Stanislo,
who will facilitate a conversation on "Understanding the Role of School Nurses in Supporting Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism"
We look forward to connecting with you all this Thursday!

[Proving Ground @HarvardPG]

💻 Yesterday, our district teams for the Ohio Attendance Improvement Network reviewed preliminary evaluations of their pilots with a focus on data driven decision making. They spent time considering the possible options of iterating or scaling their pilots in order to give a final push for high fidelity implementation to improve student attendance. 📈

@akronschools | @BereaCSD | @euclidschools | @EastCleSchools | @SBOEOhio | Youngstown City School District | @SITG_Network