Improving attendance and engagement is a continuous process of learning, adaptation, and growth. In this session, leaders will explore an 11-year evolution of attendance and engagement efforts within a school district, highlighting how systems and structures have been refined over time to address the changing needs of students, staff, families, and the community. Presenters will share lessons learned, key data trends, and practical strategies for building coherent systems that promote connection, belonging, and student success. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to simplify processes, leverage data, and strengthen sustainable practices that increase attendance and engagement for all students.
From Voice to Influence: Developing Student Leaders through School Board Governance and Superintendent's Advisory Council Student voice is most powerful when it moves beyond participation and becomes meaningful influence. This engaging session will explore how school districts can intentionally develop student leaders through Student Board Member programs and Superintendent's Student Advisory Councils. Participants will learn practical strategies for creating authentic opportunities for students to provide input, shape decisions, and serve as thought partners in district governance. Through real-world examples from Riverbank Unified School District, attendees will discover how empowering students to engage in policy discussions, strategic planning, school culture initiatives, and district priorities strengthens both leadership development and organizational decision-making. The session will highlight structures, protocols, recruitment strategies, and lessons learned in building student leadership systems that foster confidence, civic engagement, and a sense of belonging. Join us to learn how districts can move students from simply having a voice to becoming influential leaders who help shape the future of their schools, communities, and beyond. After all, today's student leaders are tomorrow's community leaders.
This session will examine how the AUHSD Community Schools framework transforms alternative education from a deficit-based "last resort" into an asset-based powerhouse that unlocks student potential through the six community school pillars.
California's Multilingual Learner achievement gap persists in part because bilingual educational opportunities remain concentrated in formal program models, out of reach for most Multilingual Learner students. New WestEd research conducted in Silicon Valley documents the current state of bilingual program access, resource investment, and family engagement in the region — and identifies concrete levers board members and district leaders in any region of the state can pull to expand those opportunities systemwide. In this session, WestEd researchers will present key findings from the study alongside a district practitioner who will speak to the on-the-ground realities of implementing these strategies — from deploying bilingually authorized staff beyond dedicated bilingual programs to building the school-community relationships that research shows are essential to Multilingual Learner program success. A representative from a community-based organization will also participate, and speak to the barriers multilingual families face in accessing bilingual programs and the critical role family liaisons and community partners play in connecting families to the schools and services they need. Attendees will leave with actionable information and recommendations for their local context, regardless of whether they are in Silicon Valley or not, and an understanding of where policy can expand or constrain progress toward equitable bilingual education access at scale.
