Dr. Kara Stern returns to the Teaching Matters Podcast to discuss new data on the topic of absenteeism. She highlights two recent reports from SchoolStatus. Dr. Stern is the Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus. During our discussion Dr. Stern provided mid-year updates on attendance from the 2025-2026 school year and discussed how intentional strategies by districts, particularly for younger students, can have a substantial positive impact on attendance.

SchoolStatus Website: https://www.schoolstatus.com

Additional Content! The NEW report referenced in the discussion is now released: https://www.schoolstatus.com/resource/2026-attendance-trends-report?utm_source=press_release&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=schoolstatus_26q3_cd_report_2025-26_attendance_trends

As families gear up for a school year that will cost them close to $1,000 in supplies, Scott talks with Frank Cullen, Executive Director of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP), about the counterfeit goods flooding online marketplaces each fall. Cullen, whose career has spanned from Hollywood to Capitol Hill, explains why U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than $7 billion in fake goods last year, what the pending SHOP SAFE Act would change about marketplace liability, and the practical steps parents can take to avoid counterfeit school supplies and electronics this back-to-school season.

https://c4ip.org/shop-safe/

This episode of Teaching Matters introduces audience members to Project Lead the Way through a discussion with Dr. Katie Minihan, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. The conversation examines the connection between student engagement, experiential learning, and community partners particularly in STEM education. Katie discusses the importance broader definitions of success beyond standardized testing, highlighting the significance of student engagement and social-emotional learning. Minihan shares insights on the importance of empowering students to solve real-world problems in their communities.

Project Lead the Way: https://www.pltw.org/

Alyssa Tormala, Head of School at Laurel Springs School, shares insights on online education, mastery-based learning, community building, and the role of technology like AI in modern schooling. Laurel Springs is a fully accredited online school. In our discussion, Alyssa discusses trends in online education as well as ways in which online educators adapt practices to help students grow.

Laurel Springs School: https://laurelsprings.com/

K12 Coalition: https://k12coalition.com

Natural disasters pose risks for schools that exceed typical planning efforts. When such disruptions occur, districts with mature and scalable plans are able to return to some sense of normalcy more quickly. Megan Kuhfeld, Director of Growth Modeling and Analytics with NWEA discusses a recently released research brief from NWEA discussing factors that should be considered when developing a mature action plan for natural disasters.

NWEA Report: https://www.nwea.org/uploads/lessons-in-resilience-a-playbook-for-recovery-from-natural-disasters_NWEA_rresearchBrief.pdf

In this episode of Teaching Matters, Scott Titsworth interviews Juliana Worrell, Chief Schools Officer for Uncommon Schools, about the challenges and strategies in fostering reading habits among students. They discuss the alarming statistics regarding Gen Z's reading preferences, the importance of engaging students with relevant texts, and the role of technology in education. Juliana’s comments emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to literacy that includes professional development for educators and active parental involvement.

Uncommon Schools: https://uncommonschools.org

Lindsay Burns and Chelsea Herbert, Gifted intervention Coordinators at Chillicothe (OH) City Schools, discuss creation of the Excite Lab and its role in providing opportunities for gifted students. The discussion highlights the personal journeys of the educators involved, the community context of Chillicothe, and the integration of STEM and arts in education to fulfill the district’s objective of supporting students who seek advanced instruction in STEM and arts-related topics, including the Igloo project, which aims to enhance immersive learning experiences for students. The speakers also address the importance of communication and collaboration in gifted education, as well as the challenges faced in teaching gifted students.

Chillicothe City Schools: https://www.ccsd.us/page/gifted-services-and-talent-development

YouTube: https://youtu.be/5drymyZN_Ks

This episode introduces listeners to Lumos Learning, an online platform that helps students build confidence and success on state standardized tests. Mukunda Krishnaswamy, founder and CEO, and Rich Katz, Senior Superintendent in Residence at Lumos, discuss the evolving landscape of education, particularly focusing on the integration of AI in learning environments, strategies for improving student test scores, and the importance of data-driven insights for schools. They emphasize the need for personalized learning experiences and empathy for students as they prepare for success on state tests.

Lumos Learning: https://www.lumoslearning.com

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tT7JVg06gPM

Brittanie Bates is the Senior Vice President and Principal of Crimson Global Academy, an internationally accredited online school. In this episode, Scott and Brittanie discuss the evolution of online education, Brittany's journey from traditional teaching to online education, the skills necessary for effective online teaching, and the importance of community building in virtual classrooms. The conversation also touches on the social interactions of students in online settings, the challenges of parenting an online student, and the significance of in-person meetups for fostering community.

Crimson Global Academy: https://www.crimsonglobalacademy.school

YouTube: https://youtu.be/OuRFUNRYnpY