The Back-to-School Brain: An Executive Function Cheat Sheet for Families | August 2026
Back-to-school preparation usually means new clothes, fresh supplies, and a packed calendar. But there’s another checklist families may be missing—the skills students need to manage everything school demands of them.
What if what looks like a lack of motivation is actually a missing skill? When students struggle to start tasks, manage time, remember assignments, or regulate frustration, the answer may not be to simply ask them to try harder.
Support That Builds Beyond The School Year
Executive Functioning Coaching
Students don't become independent by being reminded more—they build independence by building skills.
Together, we turn overwhelming assignments into manageable steps, build realistic systems, and help students learn how to plan, prioritize, and adapt—with the goal of growing independence, not dependence on reminders.
We started seeing a real difference! My child wasn't waiting for me to remind them about every little thing anymore. They were learning how to break things down, get started, and actually feel good about what they could do on their own.
— Parent of a 7th Grader, Charlotte, NC
Professional Development & Training
Supporting every learner starts with equipping the adults around them. Our professional development helps educators create more inclusive, responsive classrooms, with a focus on neurodivergent and BIPOC students.
Our staff really appreciated how practical the training was! They walked away with strategies they could use right away and a better understanding of how to support different learners in the classroom.It gave our team a lot to think about—and even more to put into practice.
— School Principal, Los Angeles, CA
Before The School Year Gets Busy
Executive Functioning Skills Guide
The school year is starting. Time to get back in the rhythm.
Get up to speed on the skills behind a successful school year. From getting started to managing time and staying organized, this guide helps families understand the executive functioning skills students rely on every day and where a little extra support may help.
Executive Functioning Skills Assessment
Not sure where your student needs to catch up?
This assessment helps identify strengths and areas that may need more support, giving families a clearer picture of where to focus as the school year gets underway.
Doing The Work
Strengthening Leadership & Family Partnership from the Inside Out
North Star Academics spent two weeks alongside school leaders and educators—turning conversations about leadership and engagement into practical next steps for the school year ahead.
The work included a leadership retreat, family engagement planning, and collaborative sessions focused on creating stronger connections between school staff, families, and students. The goal? Building systems and relationships that make it easier for every member of the school community to feel seen, supported, and connected.
Imagine what this could look like in your community.
Neurodiversity, Co-Regulation, and Family Systems: A Yearlong Professional Learning Series
What if there’s more behind a student’s behavior than what we see on the surface?
Starting October 6, 2026, join educators, clinicians, and school leaders for a yearlong virtual learning series exploring neurodiversity,
co-regulation, and family systems. Together, we’ll build practical tools for understanding behavior, responding to student needs, and creating more supportive learning environments.
Open to educators, clinicians, and school leaders ready to deepen their practice and create meaningful change.
The school year is already moving. Don't wait until challenges become patterns to build a better approach.
Doing The Work
Neurodiversity, Co-Regulation, and Family Systems —A Yearlong Professional Learning Series with Ashley Harding
This yearlong learning experience reflects a shared vision between North Star Academics and CATDC: equipping the adults who support students with practical, evidence-informed strategies that foster safer, more responsive, and more inclusive learning environments.
Beginning October 6, 2026, participants will engage in live virtual learning, office hours, asynchronous coaching, and a curated implementation hub that bridges research with everyday practice. Together, educators, clinicians, and school leaders will deepen their understanding of neurodiversity, co-regulation, and family systems while building sustainable approaches that can be implemented immediately within their schools and communities.
2026 National Family Engagement Summit
We're excited to share another opportunity to learn with Ashley this October as she joins the 2026 National Family Engagement Summit in Charleston, SC on October 14-16, 2026.
Whether you attend virtually or in person, the Summit offers practical, actionable strategies from experts who are transforming family, school, and community partnerships.
2026 National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education
Ashley Harding is proud to join an incredible lineup of family engagement leaders—Dr. Karen Mapp, Anne Henderson, Michele Brooks, and Shadae Harris—at the 2026 National Assembly for Family Engagement in Education in San Diego on October 26-30.
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona will also deliver a keynote around practical strategies for strengthening family engagement.
We’re excited to see Ashley take her work to a bigger national stage alongside leading voices in family engagement.
