Driving Student
Attendance in Illinois
Join district leaders from across the state for a frank
discussion about how they’re fighting chronic absenteeism.
Join district leaders from across the state for a frank
discussion about how they’re fighting chronic absenteeism.
April 29, 2026 at 9 AM
Joliet Public Schools District Office
This interactive, in-person workshop brings together education leaders and practitioners across Northern Illinois to explore proven strategies for addressing chronic absenteeism and strengthening student engagement.
You’ll hear real examples, see how teams are using data to act sooner, and leave with ideas you can apply right away.
Driving Student
Attendance in Illinois
Join district leaders from across the state for a frank
discussion about how they’re fighting chronic absenteeism.
Join district leaders from across the state for a frank
discussion about how they’re fighting chronic absenteeism.
Who Should Attend
Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and Student Services leaders across Northern Illinois
What You’ll Walk Away With
- Real-world insights from district leaders who have successfully implemented attendance initiatives
- A clearer way to spot attendance patterns in high-risk students earlier
- Practical data-driven strategies and intervention frameworks
- A better way to align your team to best support the students and families who need you most
What To Expect
This is a panel discussion and roundtable collaboration focused on actionable takeaways. We’ll also show some examples of how technology can support real-time data visibility, communication, and compliance reporting.
Meet a Few of Our Speakers
Dr. Sunni McNeal has over 20 years of experience in education including roles as a parent educator, teacher, special education administrator, and district office administrator. She currently serves as the Asst. Superintendent for Equity and Student Services at Joliet Public Schools District 86. Her professional passions are focused on social and emotional skills, behavior, diverse learners, attendance and urban youth. She holds degrees in special education, psychology, and leadership from Lewis University and Saint Francis University.
As the Senior Customer Success Manager at SchoolStatus, Brenda Tapp is in constant conversations with the school and district staff who are tasked with improving student attendance. With over 2 decades of experience in overseeing daily operations and leading high-performing intervention and technical training teams, Brenda has honed her expertise in attendance management and interventions. She actively participates with the State Attendance Review Board, serving as liaison with district leaders and collaborating with IT and front-line staff to implement best practices and achieve remarkable attendance goals.