Present and Powerful: How Schools can Allocate, Collaborate, and Engage for Attendance Success

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

• Sonya Thomas Coley, Bibb County SchoolsFollow
• Tanya G. Allen, Bibb County SchoolsFollow
• Kizzie Lott, Bibb County SchoolsFollow

First Presenter's Institution

Bibb County School District

First Presenter’s Email Address

sonya.coley@bcsdk12.net

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Sonya Thomas Coley is a dedicated Federal Programs Coordinator with a strong background in educational leadership, equity, and student support systems. With years of experience working alongside school teams, Sonya specializes in designing data-informed strategies that improve attendance, strengthen engagement, and promote academic achievement. Her work centers students and empowers educators to allocate resources thoughtfully, build inclusive school climates, and foster resilience. Sonya is passionate about helping schools create environments where every student is supported to show up and thrive.

Second Presenter's Institution

Bibb County School District

Second Presenter’s Email Address

tanya.allen@bcsdk12.net

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Tanya G. Allen is the principal of Burdell-Hunt Magnet School of Communicative Arts in Macon, Georgia, with over 20 years of experience in Bibb County Schools. A National Board Certified educator in Early Adolescence English/Language Arts, she is known for her leadership in literacy, student achievement, and school climate. Under her leadership, Burdell-Hunt has expanded Communicative Arts integration, improved attendance outcomes, and strengthened family and community partnerships. Tanya is committed to fostering respectful, relationship-driven learning environments where all students can thrive.

Third Presenter's Institution

Bibb County School District

Third Presenter’s Email Address

kizzie.lott@bcsdk12.net

Third Presenter's Brief Biography

Kizzie Lott is the principal of Bruce Elementary School in Macon, Georgia, where she leads with a focus on equity, student engagement, and community collaboration. A former assistant principal and classroom teacher, she brings over a decade of experience in K–12 education. Kizzie is known for launching innovative programs like the WINGS mentorship initiative and for using creative incentives that have led to measurable improvements. Under her leadership, Bruce Elementary has strengthened family partnerships, improved school climate, and expanded student leadership opportunities. Her leadership centers on building relationships, removing barriers, and empowering students to thrive

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Westbrook

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

Attendance is a gateway to learning, belonging, and opportunity which connects to the strand Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership. When we support students to show up, we open doors to achievement, engagement, and leadership. Families, schools, and communities all play a role which connects to the strand Home: Family & Community Engagement.

Brief Program Description

Chronic absenteeism is a complex challenge that reflects deeper issues of equity, access, and engagement. Discover how thoughtful resource allocation can transform student attendance outcomes. This session explores how schools can strategically engage families, mobilize teams, and allocate support resources to remove barriers and foster belonging. Learn practical strategies that connect attendance to academic success, equity, and leadership development—putting students at the center of every decision. This presentation is ideal for educators, administrators, and advocates committed to creating inclusive systems that support every student’s right to show up and thrive

Summary

Attendance is not just a metric but a reflection of school climate, equity, and access. Students must be present to access instruction, relationships, and support. This session explores how schools and districts can improve student attendance outcomes through intentional, student-centered resource allocation.

Participants will learn how to use attendance data to identify patterns, prioritize supports, and guide decision-making. The session will highlight how engaging families as partners, empowering school-based teams, and leveraging community resources can remove barriers to attendance. Emphasis will be placed on building trust, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that every resource decision reflects a commitment to equity and student voice.

Participants will explore how schools have reallocated staff roles, restructured time, and invested in targeted interventions to support students who are most at risk of disengagement. The session will also examine how attendance-focused strategies can strengthen academic achievement and cultivate leadership—among students, families, and educators alike. Attendees will leave with practical tools and frameworks to assess current resource use, engage stakeholders in planning, and implement sustainable strategies that center students and support their presence, participation, and progress.

Evidence

Baker, B. D. (2012). Resource allocation patterns and student achievement. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 20(25). Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ974300.pdf

Mapp, K. L. (2023). The case for strong family and community engagement in schools. Harvard Graduate School of Education – Usable Knowledge. Retrieved from https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/23/03/case-strong-family-and-community-engagement-schools

Panorama Education. (n.d.). 4 evidence-based attendance interventions. Retrieved from https://go.panoramaed.com/hubfs/4%20Evidence%20Based%20Attendance%20Interventions.pdf

National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). (2023). The effects of chronic absenteeism on learning and equity. Retrieved from https://www.naesp.org/resource/the-effects-of-chronic-absenteeism-on-learning-and-equity/

The Principal Project. (2023). Tackling chronic absenteeism: 5 field-tested tools. Retrieved from https://principalproject.org/tackling-chronic-absenteeism-5-field-tested-tools/

Learning Objective 1

Identify key barriers to student attendance and understand how resource allocation can be used to address equity, access, and engagement challenges.

Learning Objective 2

Apply data-informed strategies to prioritize supports, engage families, and mobilize school teams in ways that promote consistent student attendance and academic success.

Learning Objective 3

Develop a student-centered action plan that aligns people, programs, and partnerships to foster belonging, resilience, and leadership among students most at risk of disengagement.

Presentation Year

2026

Start Date

3-3-2026 10:15 AM

End Date

3-3-2026 11:30 AM

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Coley, Sonya Thomas; Allen, Tanya G.; and Lott, Kizzie, "Present and Powerful: How Schools can Allocate, Collaborate, and Engage for Attendance Success" (2026). National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference. 43.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2026/2026/43