Who is missing from the attendance table?
The most important person in the plan may be the one who was never invited.
By Damon WillisPublished August 2, 2026
Attendance barriers do not respect organizational charts. A family may need transportation, health support, housing navigation, after-school coverage, or a trusted community relationship before another school-based intervention can work.
Before the next attendance meeting, look at the empty chairs. Is transportation represented? The district’s homeless liaison? Mental health? An after-school provider? A community organization families already trust?
“Whose absence from this table will slow the response when a student needs help?”
The empty-chair test
Partnerships create value when they improve the response around a person—not when they merely increase the number of organizations in the room.
- BarrierName the barrier the current team cannot resolve alone.
- TrustIdentify who already has a credible relationship with the family.
- AuthorityBring in the person who can authorize or deliver the next support.
- OwnershipEnd with one named owner, one action, and one follow-up date.