In this episode, hosts Dr. Clayton Wilcox and Ray McNulty are joined by Dr. Sandy Addis, Chairman of the National Dropout Prevention Center, and Thomas Hawkins, an education leader and advocate, for a deep conversation about one of the most pressing issues in education today—student attendance.

From the earliest days of organized schooling to today’s complex educational landscape, strong attendance has been a key driver of student success and personal development. Yet, maintaining high attendance rates remains a persistent challenge, with chronic absenteeism affecting school ratings, student outcomes, and community well-being.

Together, Dr. Addis, Mr. Hawkins, Dr. Wilcox, and Ray McNulty explore the roots of the attendance crisis, the barriers schools and students face, and practical, research-based strategies to re-engage students and communities.