2025 SC Education + Business Summit

This topic is relevant to all CTE clusters because all CTE students should have the opportunity to showcase what they have learned as a CTE completer in a presentation to industry experts. Participants can see how this expectation for students sets students up for success in the workforce. The presenter is a principal of a CTE program school - 9 years as an administrator.

High school students who participate in CTE programs are more likely to be employed after high school and enroll in two-year colleges. The production of a CTE school report card will provide valuable information about schools offering CTE instruction and help families, students and leaders make better-informed decisions. Participants will learn about the type of data and information that may be included in the report card and may have the opportunity to interact and provide their input and perspective during the session.

Combined, Dana and Bunnie have over 50 years’ experience in education policy. Currently, Dana is the Executive Director of the Education Oversight Committee. Bunnie is the Director of TransformSC, an education and business initiative of the SC Council on Competitiveness.

This session is very relevant to every CTE cluster as a recruitment strategy and as a placement resource. The exposure provided from this session will prove immensely valuable to students in their postsecondary considerations. The presenter is a 25-year veteran in CTE and has worked in multiple regions of the Palmetto State.

Topic Relevance: Since COVID, chronic absenteeism in public schools has doubled, rising from 15% in 2019 to 30% (~15 million students) in 2024. Absences lower GPAs, increase dropout risks, and enhance the likelihood of negative post-graduation outcomes such as unemployment, substance abuse, and legal issues. Teachers also face added strain, adjusting curricula to accommodate absent students, disrupting lesson flow. This crisis is particularly severe in economically disadvantaged communities.

Participant Value: Federal attendance programs have been developed and proven to consistently improve student attendance, but require significant resources, limiting accessibility for many schools. Schools attempting independent programs often find them costly, complex, and ineffective due to delayed or inconsistent rewards. This session will highlight a proven, research-backed attendance reward system that is:

• 100% free for schools, students, parents, and teachers
• Seamlessly integrated into existing attendance procedures
• Designed to engage parents in fostering strong attendance habits

By implementing this system, schools can improve attendance, boost student morale and performance, and potentially increase funding opportunities.

Presenter Knowledge & Experience: Having witnessed the long-term consequences of absenteeism among family, friends, and students, I pursued solutions while earning my Ph.D. in Psychology. Over the past five years, my team has developed and refined a data-driven attendance improvement system, collaborating with over 120 administrators, 60 teachers, 500 students, and 75 parents to help design and refine the platform. This extensive engagement ensures our approach is effective, scalable, and ready for implementation in diverse educational settings.

SREB's AI Commission was formed by Gov. McMaster to address the changing needs of the workforce and how education can directly support them in gaining AI knowledge and skills. These skills are needed in every cluster and CTE teachers will need support as they work to embed this in their instruction.

CTE centers must follow the laws, regulations, and policies set forth by the General Assembly as it pertains to accurate student records and transcripts and are often not included in the district and school trainings I conduct. I have 8 years of experience working with and training district and school administrators and counselors on policies, regulations, and laws.