2026 ESSU Fall Directors Meeting

The first year of high school sets the foundation for students' future success. Students who are engaged, connected, and supported during ninth grade are more likely to earn credits, remain on track for graduation, and achieve positive postsecondary outcomes. For students with disabilities, intentional systems of support during the first year of high school can make a significant difference in both academic achievement and long-term success.
This session will explore systemwide practices that schools can implement to strengthen support during the first year of high school. Participants will examine considerations for course scheduling, student support services, relationship-building, family engagement, progress monitoring, and cross-functional collaboration that help students successfully navigate the transition into high school. The session will also highlight strategies for identifying and responding to early indicators of disengagement before students fall off track. Participants will leave with a customizable Ninth-Grade Success Planning Checklist that school and district teams can use to evaluate current practices and strengthen supports that promote student engagement, persistence, and graduation.