No Cheat Codes: Six States, Six Esports Models, Zero Filter

No sponsor talking points. No highlight reel. Just six state leaders telling you what scholastic esports really does for kids, and what it does not. From a statewide nonprofit in Tennessee to a teacher-founded league in New Jersey, a state federation in Texas, a rural district in Florida, a STEAM and CTE network in California and a regional service agency in Pennsylvania, these leaders built esports in places that look nothing alike. This poster presentation maps the national landscape and gets specific about engagement, belonging, durable skills and pathways into CTE and STEM careers. Hear where the leaders agree, where they don't and what each got wrong before getting it right. Learn to recognize which benefits matter most for your students and what realistic entry points exist at the elementary, middle or high school level. Leave ready to choose a low-barrier first step and connected to a cross-state network of leaders for ongoing support.