September 2025 Newsletter

SEI in Action: Empowering Students Through Scholarships, Surveys & Partnerships

September 2025

Hi Friend,

Now that school is back in session, I want to remind everyone to pay attention to school attendance. Chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, continues to be a serious issue in Summit County. In the 2023–24 school year, about 26.5% of students across the county were chronically absent. That’s more than 1-in-4 students.

Why does this matter? Students who miss too much school often fall behind in reading, math and other subjects. They’re also more likely to drop out and face challenges later in life. Chronic absenteeism affects not just students, it impacts families, schools and the whole community.

Local leaders and organizations like SEI are working to remove barriers and help families get kids to school every day. But solving this problem is everyone’s responsibility. Here are some resources to show how you or your organization can help.

Have a good school year!

David W. James, Ed.D.

Only a few weeks left until TSIOS 2025!

Join community leaders, educators and changemakers at our annual Their Success is Our Success (TSIOS) event on Oct. 8 at Greystone Hall. Tickets are limited and time is running out. So, reserve your seat today to be part of the conversation shaping student success in Summit County.

Purchase tickets!

There’s still time to be a sponsor!

It’s not too late to be a TSIOS event sponsor. Gain visibility while supporting important efforts that make a difference in the lives of students and families across Summit County. Learn more about sponsorship packages.

Become a sponsor!

Chronic Absenteeism: Why it matters for students

Chronic absenteeism doesn’t just affect individual students, it affects our whole community. Our brief explores the issue and how families, schools and community partners can help students stay on track.

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Learn More

Across Summit County public school districts, 26.5% of students were
chronically absent during the 2023-24 academic year.

The Future of SCYC: Sustaining Youth Voice

Over the past two years, the Summit County Youth Coalition (SCYC) has amplified the voices of young people in powerful ways. Now, the coalition is looking ahead. The focus: sustaining the progress, expanding the reach and equipping others to build strong, youth-directed foundations. Don’t miss this vision for what’s next.

Read Full Report

Akron Launches Unified Early Learning System

The City of Akron and community partners, including SEI, have launched Phase One of the Unified Early Learning System, a 12-month pilot program supporting child care providers with wraparound services, business tools and professional development. This effort aims to stabilize the workforce, expand family access and ensure more children enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Learn More

Take part in parent voice survey

SEI and the Summit County Parent Coalition are committed to supporting every child’s journey from cradle to career, starting with parents. Take this short survey to share what matters most to you. Your input will help shape programs and policies that support families across Summit County.

Complete Survey Here