DCSD Summer Summit 2026

When a student faces chronic absenteeism, risk of dropout, justice-system involvement, or the threat of expulsion, administrators often feel they are standing on the front lines alone. The weight of these complex cases can lead to a sense of helplessness and burnout. You don’t have to do this by yourself. Join the Student Assistance Department for a collaborative session designed to transform that feeling of "overwhelm" into a clear, actionable roadmap for student success. We will demystify the "Safety Net" of services available to your school, including:

Re-engagement & Attendance: Strategic interventions for Chronic Absenteeism and Dropout Prevention, including our Home Visit Program: Care Crew
Alternative Pathways: Navigating the DC Student Support Center, GED Center, Continuum of Care Intervention Program, and Expulsion Services.
System-Involved Support: Specialized advocacy for Justice-engaged youth
High Risk Behavior Support: Protocols for Intervention, especially related to ISMP and charges

Beyond a simple "to-do" list, this session will provide a deep dive into the referral process to the Re-Engagement Team and what a true partnership looks like. We will include case study scenarios to demonstrate possible interventions and supports. We will discuss how to bridge the gap between your school, our department, and our critical community and court partners. Participants will leave with a strength-based framework for engaging families and a direct line to the resources that turn "at-risk" labels into "at-promise" outcomes.

True intervention addresses the whole child. Based on the RTI at Work™ inverted pyramid model, this session equips leaders to bridge academic needs and behavioral challenges into a cohesive system of support. 

Discover how several DCSD schools are addressing adolescent literacy gaps through a pioneering model of credit-bearing structured literacy classes for middle and high school students. This session outlines the program’s development, teacher training, student placement, program implementation, and student growth outcomes. Leaders will leave with a clear framework to design and launch similar initiatives in their own schools, empowering striving readers with the literacy skills they need to succeed.