About this episode

The episode discusses the escalating school attendance crisis and features Dr. Dennis Lefevre, who shares insights on evaluations and interventions to address the issue.

Whether you’re ready for Spring Break or still have a few weeks until Spring Break, the reality is that there isn’t much of the school year left. There are many assessments and IEP meetings that need to be scheduled now. In today’s episode, we are talking with a wonderful guest, really getting into the trenches of evaluations and the escalating attendance crisis of the last few years. Join us to learn more! Dr. Dennis Lefevre recently served as the Executive Director of Student Support Services in a small, high-performing school district in southern CA. Prior to that role, he worked in various capacities in public, non-public, and private school settings with thousands of preschool, elementary, and secondary students. He had a front-row seat to the unfolding attendance crisis and became increasingly frustrated by the lack of ownership among school, home, and community. He is now piloting a new kind of evaluation that is an intensive data collection process designed to lower the threshold enough to get students back on campus. As an educational psychologist in private practice, Dr. Dennis started an agency called Back at School , which offers consultations, advocacy, targeted data…

More episodes of Inclusive Education Project (IEP) Podcast

• Don’t Wait: The Critical Window for TK & Kindergarten IEPs (And Why Early Intervention Matters) · April 14, 2026 · 27 min
• Analyzing School Non-Attendance Data: Where Do We Go From Here? with Dr. Dennis Lefevre · March 31, 2026 · 23 min
• Beyond Dysregulation: How FBAs and BIPs Can Support Your Child · March 3, 2026 · 23 min
• The Time is NOW: Be Proactive in Scheduling End-of-Year Meetings · February 17, 2026 · 19 min
• Better Behavior Solutions: Brain Breaks, Connection, and Rhythm · February 3, 2026 · 32 min
• Shifts are Happening: Pay Attention! · January 20, 2026 · 30 min

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