Texas Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention

🏆 History has been made.

Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, Lamar CISD Superintendent and Texas Association of School Administrators President-Elect, has been named the 2026 AASA National Superintendent of the Year — making him the first Texas superintendent in 25 years, and only the second EVER, to earn the nation's top honor!!

"Kind, courageous, mission-driven, and charismatic" — the words of TASA Executive Director Kevin Brown say it all. Dr. Nivens is a servant leader who knows firsthand the life-changing power of great schools, and he's spent his career making sure every student gets exactly that.

Congratulations, Dr. Nivens. Texas is proud.⭐

https://na2.hubs.ly/H05v3r_0

A strong plan means nothing if it isn’t clearly communicated!

🔗 Register Now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IiPGj82DToaieEEZwzwvRw #/registration
New to the series? You can still Join! Part 4/6: 'Share Your Roadmap – Tuesday, May 12' Time: 1:00p ET | 12:00p CT | 11:00a MT | 10:00p PT
Bring your strategy to life:
✔ Communicate plans across stakeholders
✔ Build alignment and accountability
✔ Gain buy-in from staff and community
Because clarity drives collective action!

2026 conference speaker Sterling Mark of Sterling Empowerment presented “From Data to Direction- Practical Tools for Student Engagement.”

Sharon Bradley of RestorativeFlo Educational Services and RaaWeeK12 shared her leadership journey and key lessons with the presentation, “Reframing Attendance.”

F - Find the Root Cause
R - Reframe Traditional Mindsets
A - Activate Relationships
M - Mobilize a System of Supports
E - Engage and Empower Families

Six-part series starts today!

Definitive Guide for Attendance Improvement Explore effective strategies for Attendance Improvement to enhance student participation and engagement in learning environments.

After serving two years as the TATDP Secretary, Dr. Xochitl Echeverz has been named the President of the Texas Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention during the organization’s annual state conference held in Killeen on April 16-17.

Dr. Echeverz brings over 21 years of experience in education and a deep commitment to student success. She currently serves as a Dropout Prevention, Intervention, and Recovery Facilitator for Katy Independent School District. She has also served as an At-Risk Administrator and Student Attendance Specialist across several Houston-area school districts.

Known for her passion and dedication, Dr. Echeverz has focused her work on supporting at-risk youth by addressing both personal and academic barriers that impact student success. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to improving attendance, increasing graduation rates, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.

As President, Dr. Echeverz will lead efforts to advance effective practices and innovative strategies that support schools and communities across Texas in preventing truancy and reducing dropout rates.

Sharon Bradley of RestorativeFlo Educational Solutions and RaaWeeK12, was the opening keynote speaker. She shared her story and reminded us: Everyone—kids and adults alike—has a story and a strength. Our mission is to find both in every encounter.

To truly support our students, we must:

📊 Use Data for awareness and action.
🚫 Check Assumptions and find the REAL story: Lead with facts, not guesses.
🤝 Mobilize system of support: Create Campus Attendance Teams that prioritize the human connection.
🏠Equip and empower families.

📍 Key Takeaway: Every interaction is an opportunity to see the human being behind the data point.