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Breakout Session Strands: Accountability/Accreditation Advocacy/PR/Marketing Authorization/Oversight Business Operations Facilities Governance/Legal Leadership Special Education Student Achievement |
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MONDAY, MARCH 29TH – 11:00 TO 12:15 Room 314 Charter schools are a powerful source for empowering parents, teachers and students to create quality educational environments for students. The question is, are we up to the challenge? Howard Fuller No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and How Accountability and Leadership are Essential to Closing the Achievement Gap Room 315 2004 marks the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision; Brian Jones will talk about NCLB as the essential next step following that landmark ruling, toward closing the achievement gap. Brian Jones, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Education MONDAY, MARCH 29TH – 1:15 TO 2:30 Non-site Based Charter School Issues Room 314 Hear from those who have successfully weathered the political and organizational challenges facing non-site based charter schools. Topics will range from LEA/granting agency relations, legislative compliance, fiscal and facilities issues, assessment and accountability. Panelists will represent insight from management/central office perspective, from a granting agency Board of Trustee, and operators who have been in the field for over 10 years. Moderator: Bob Hampton, Buckingham Charter School; Sarah Chapman Board of Trustee for 16 years and past President of CSBA; Steve Butler—Deputy Superintendent Santa Rosa Unified School District; Jeff Rice, Founder & Director of APLUS+ Trends in Charter School Operation and Charter School Authorization: Past Experiences and Future Strategies – A National Perspective Room 315 Learn about the types of schools that were and are being opened and closed across the country. Understand the reasons for the openings and closings and how these trends may change. Discussion on the options charter school operators and choice supporters may have while planning for future operations and student populations, and how to best assess the performance of charter schools. Otho Tucker, Senior Vice President, Mosaica Education MONDAY, MARCH 29TH – 3:15 TO 4:30 Overcoming the Achievement Gap Room 314 Overcoming the achievement gaps are a major focus of our educational institutions. The talk focuses on how we can help, and what schools and districts are doing now to meet the twin challenges of increasing overall achievement while simultaneously closing the gaps. Russlynn Ali, Executive Director, Education Trust West Meet the California Department of Education, Charter School Division Staff Room 315 Goals, roles and directions of the CDE. Marta Reyes and staff, California Department of Education TUESDAY, MARCH 30TH – 11:00 TO 12:15 Legislator’s Perspective Room 315 Legislators discuss the charter school movement from their perspective. Moderator: Branche Jones, Director of Governmental Affairs, California Charter Schools Association, Assembly Woman Patricia Bates, Senator Dede Alpert, Senator Chuck Poochigian; Assembly Woman Sharon Runner Expanding the Circle: A pursuit of Greatness Room 314 David Levin discusses how he implemented Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great in his school, the KIPP Academy New York (KIPP - Knowledge is Power Program). KIPP schools have gained recognition for academic achievement since opening their doors in 1995. Ninety-nine percent of KIPP alumni matriculate into top high schools and have earned more than $18 million in scholarships. In fall 2003, the first class of KIPP alumni started college. David Levin, Co-founder and Superintendent, KIPP Academy New York TUESDAY, MARCH 30TH – 1:15 TO 2:30 Creating a Unified Message that Advances the Charter School Movement Room 314 Ten years into the charter school movement and the honeymoon is over. Clearly the movement’s success has prompted a backlash from the establishment. An aggressive and unified public message from the charter community can supercede hostilities and keep the movement on the promising path towards reform rather than towards disarray. Join four charter school veterans as they share their tested strategic and tactical activities and messages that can be used to strengthen and unite the charter school movement as it leads the charge to reform public education. Topics:
Moderator: Gary Larson, Director of Media Relations, California
Charter Schools Association; Panelists: Vernon Thompson, Director of
Development and Communications, Leadership Public Schools; Peter
Thorp, Gateway High; Don Shalvey, Aspire Public Schools; Pat Golding,
Director Hickman Charter School State of Charter School movement Room 314 The Legislative Analyst’s report, their findings and recommendations to the legislature on how to improved the charter school process Jennifer Kuhn, California Legislative Analyst’s Office Urban Issues Room 315 Schools in urban settings have a unique set of issues. This session will be presented by a panel of those who have been living successfully and overcoming the political, financial, educational issues in urban settings. Steve Barr, Founder and CEO of Green Dot Public Schools, Mark Kushner, CEO Leadership Public Schools, CEO, Leadership Public Schools, Advisory Commission on Charter Schools; Mike Piscal, President of Inner City Education Foundation and Head of Schools View Park Prep; Johnathan Williams, co-founder and co-director of The Accelerated School & Member California State Board of Education; and Don Shalvey, Co-Founder and President, Aspire Public Schools |
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Monday
March 29th 11:00am –12:15pm Advocacy/PR/Marketing PR 101 Room 105 Basic tips on getting your school’s positive message out to local news sources, including: how to draft a press release, how and when to send it to various news sources, writing letters to the editor and opinion editorials. Understand how to select and train a school spokesperson, and refine key school and charter school messages. Presenter: Gary Larson, Director of Media Relations, California Charter Schools Association Advocacy/PR/Marketing How to Help Parents Advocate for Charter Schools Room --- Learn what tools they need to make your job easier! Parents who understand their power can change the quality of education, and telling parents about solutions to their own concerns can turn them from a passive herd into a stampeding force for change. With a little leadership on your part, parents can help you advance the charter school movement in California. Jeanne Allen, President, Center for Education Reform Authorization/Oversight Navigating "No Child Left Behind" – Compagno Room --- District-based charter authorizers face unique challenges in implementing NCLB. As part of a new national initiative to clarify and strengthen authorizers' NCLB role, The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is seeking authorizer input about how they are handling new accountability mandates and what support they need for sound oversight. William Haft, NACSA,
National Association of Charter School Authorizers;
Nelson Smith, New
American Schools How to Write a Technology
Plan and e-rate An introduction to the whys
and hows of technology planning, emphasizing opportunities to obtain
significant additional funding for your school's technology program.
Understand the reasons for preparing a technology plan, the range of
opportunities this opens up (including but not limited to E-Rate), and the
process of creating your plan. |
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March 29th 1:15pm – 2:30pm Accountability/Accreditation Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA) and NCLB: Accountability from a state and federal perspective Room 314 Understanding the provisions and issues of the laws and the expectations for charter schools. Moderated by Colin Miller, Director of Policy and Research, The California Charter Schools Association Advocacy/PR/Marketing Guerilla Marketing: How to Reach Low Income and Diverse Students Room 302 Innovative recruitment techniques to maintain ethnic and gender balance at new charter schools. There will be a focus on resources available in targeted charter school communities, retaining applicants, understanding local politics, planning contingencies, and student voices. Bianca Escalante, Leadership Public Schools Authorization/Oversight Revisiting the Charter School Petition: Knowing what the Authorizer Needs to Know Room 103 Key application issues will be discussed based on scenarios developed through National Association of Charter School Authorizer’s (NACSA) Applying for Excellence: Fostering High-Quality Charter Schools in California project. Learn what information an authorizer needs to make sound petition decisions and how the petition decision can and should align with the charter school development process. William Haft, NACSA (National Association of Charter School Authorizers); Dave Taylor, Twin Ridges Elementary School District Business Operations Providing Quality Employee Benefits at an Affordable Cost! Room --- Cost of health benefits increased an average of 20% last year and will rise again this year! Our panel of industry experts will provide some insight as to how organizations are managing this growing problem. Meet one school that has already met the challenge and reduced their benefits cost by more than $100,000 this year. Be prepared to learn what is ahead and hear some innovative ideas about controlling your benefit costs. Yvonne Sanusi, Regional Employee Benefits; Carol Cleveland, Controller, Orange County High School of Arts; Carl Dickerson, Dickerson Benefits, Blue Cross G.A. Business Operations Starting a Second School – Replication Issues and Advice Room 317 Learn from those who successfully replicated their school, how they did it. A very practical advice-filled session from those who achieved success. Panel, Including: Elliot Washor, The MET School Facilities Navigating the Charter School Facilities Programs Agencies Room --- In March 2004, the $300 million Charter School Facilities Program application period will begin. The state representatives will discuss their agency’s role and the improvements that have been implemented since the initiation of the program in 2003. This is an important session for those applying for funding this year. Moderator: Ernie Silva, Murdoch Walrath & Holmes; Representatives from the Office of Public School Construction; California Department of Education; California School Finance Agency Governance/Legal E Pluribus Unum - From Many, One Room 318 Lack of consensus undermines the ability of charter school Local School Boards to create a constructive learning environment. Review major elements of small group dynamics, including the use and misuse of Robert's Rules of Order, active listening techniques, and various forms of decision-making and consensus building. Participants assume roles seen on Boards and collectively analyze the process. Dr. Robert Alan Fox, University of Hawaii Charter School Resource Center and Ku'ikaki Mediation Center Governance/Legal Free Legal Advice: Is there really such a thing Room 315 We will respond to all your legal questions in a quick three to five minute per question format. Prizes will be given for anyone who can "stump" the attorneys or for those with the best attorney jokes. Paul Minney, SMY&M Law Office Governance/Legal Jump Start Your Charter School Room 306 This session is meant for charter leaders that will be opening in the fall of 2004. It provides an overview of many of the start-up issues that schools need to address before they open, including: teacher credentialing, health and safety, federal and state forms, food service, accounting, attendance. Handouts and useful forms/resources will be distributed. Peter Laub, Adam Musch, Shaheed Haq, EdTec, Inc. Governance/Legal The Nuts and Bolts of Charter School Partnerships Room 319 Practical advice to help charter school personnel determine whether partnerships can be used to enhance the capacity and supplement the resources of their school. The session provides a step-by step implementation plan of the partnering process including how to choose appropriate partners, clearly define the roles and purpose of the partnership, and manage the partnership for success. Courtney L. Malloy, Center on Educational Governance, University of Southern California Leadership Emerging Trends and Issues: The Future of the California Charter Movement Room --- Where has the charter movement been? Where is the future of the charter movement headed in California? This panel of charter leaders will discuss emerging trends and issues. Issues covered will include: Lessons learned, future goals of the movement, challenges, threats, policy and legal needs, authorizing issues, California Department of Education and the California Charter Schools Association capacity and best practices in charter management. Moderator: Mark Kushner, CEO, Leadership Public Schools; Panelists: Caprice Young, CEO/President, California Charter Schools Association; Don Shalvey, Aspire Public Schools Student Achievement Engaging At-Risk Youth Through Project-based Curriculum Room 301 One of Life Learning Academy’s strongest methods of bringing at-risk youth back to the classroom has been our project-based, integrated curriculum. LLA instructors will present three stellar examples. Joanne da Luz, Justin Warren, and Craig Miller, Life Learning Academy Student Achievement Implementation of the California Student Information System (CSIS) and Its Potential for Accountability Room 201 This session discusses what the CSIS is and how it can be of value to you in helping with accountability issues. The California Department of Education Student Achievement Personalized Learning Best Practices Room 305 Personalized Learning tailors learning according to the individual needs of each student, using learning environments both within and beyond classroom. Charter schools of the APLUS+ Personalized Learning Network Association will provide insights and information on proven "best practices" on a number of topics and issues unique to independent study classified charter schools. Jeff Rice, Founder and Director of APLUS+ (the Association of Personalized Learning Services) Student Achievement Prepare Students to meet the State Writing Assessments Room 305 We must teach quality writing, as well as meet specific California writing standards. Keyes to Learning Charter School is conquering this problem with creative writing packets that are useful in classroom situations as well as in home school settings. Let us share what succeeds for us and give you helpful ideas and tips of what you can do now. Annette Steele and Cindy Tyson, Keyes to Learning Charter School Student Achievement The Hedgehog Concept: High School Grade Level Promotions Through Mastery Room 105 Stanislaus County Office of Education charter schools School-to-Career high schools blend academic projects with "real world" internships and experiences. Students graduate with a culminating celebration before a committee of school and business/community representatives. Students are promoted through "grade levels" by demonstrating mastery of the California academic content standards and other program quality indicators. Dr. Jeff S. Tilton and Mr. William Redford, Stanislaus County Office of Education Student Achievement The Mueller Resiliency Quadrants: Schools need to meet the real needs of children Room 307 We have created a system that nurtures resilient students while supporting those experiencing a profound life crisis. We will share our "Resiliency Quadrants" and discuss how we identify and prioritize the risk factors for each child, assess the degree to which they inhibit learning and create interventions that allow children to overcome adversity and achieve at grade level. Kevin Riley, The Mueller Charter School Exhibitor Presentation Standards Based Curriculum Planning and Assessments Room 304 Participants will learn how to analyze grade level standards, plan appropriate instruction and periodically assess student progress toward learning standards. Handouts will include a curriculum planning chart, sample assessment questions and class or individual student assessment reports. Presenter: Dr. Geni Boyer Ph.D, The Learning Classroom Exhibitor Presentation Achieving the Requirements of NCLB with Microsoft Class Server Room --- Designed specifically to help educators address the challenges of meeting No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements, Microsoft Class Server 3.0 delivers real-time student achievement data and standards-aligned curriculum so you can improve the district's decision-making capability and student performance. Class Server 3.0 is a powerful learning management platform for delivering assessments and lessons over the Web that enables school districts and teachers to track and improve student achievement against local curriculum standards. Presenter: Joy Dakin, Microsoft Corporation |
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March 29th 3:15pm – 4:30pm Accountability/Accreditation Achieving Genuine Accountability Room 102 Keyes to Learning Charter School combines the best of classroom instruction and home-based education. The presentation includes how we refined our mission and vision statements, organized multiple measures of assessment, and developed lesson plans for students that meet our teaching parent's needs and the California state standards. Lee Ann Staugl and Susan Nisan, Keyes to Learning Charter School Advocacy/PR/Marketing PR 301 Room 304 This advanced public relations session is a must for those who want to take their media and public relations plans to the next level. Participants will learn: (1) About successful public messaging efforts and strategies that resonate with the public. (2) How to use both strategic and tactical messages to create a positive impression of your school – and the charter school movement. (3) About the power of "third-party" validation. (4) How to effectively communicate with and engage important media stakeholders. Gary Larson, Director of Media Relations, California Charter Schools Association Authorization/Oversight The Dynamics of Getting Authorized or Reauthorized with Districts Room 317 What works to assist your charter approval or renewal, what works against you. What's the cost-benefit analysis to various approaches to chartering? Are the trade-offs worth it? Can there be a true "win-win" for a charter and the sponsor? What are strategies for working with authorizers, as well as signs that the appeal process is "just a vote away". Moderator: Bob Pearlman; Panel: Elliot Washor (MET Schools), Don Shalvey (Aspire Public Schools), Deanna Hanson (LEEDS) Business Operations Cal State TEACH, An Alternative CSU Credentialing Path Room 319 The program allows working teachers and other qualified candidates to earn their credential without attending traditional college classes. The curriculum is delivered using a self-study format, and includes online, print and CD-Rom materials, and web-based "class discussions". Professional feedback is through on-site coaching, and guidance from mentor teachers at their school site, as well as CSU faculty. Carolyn Bishop, Director, Cal State TEACH (An Alternative California State University System Credentialing Path) Facilities Finding and Leveraging Private Funding and Financing Room 315 This workshop is led by school leaders that have successfully raised and borrowed private funds to build their own campus and the financial professionals that have helped them do it. Learn how you can get your own campus using private sources of money. Moderator: Carl Cade, Director of Facilities Development, California Charter Schools Association, Dennis "Coach" Snyder Escondido Charter School; Susan Harper, Low Income Investment Fund; Anita Landecker, ExEd; James Willcox, New Schools Venture Fund; Jeff Baratta, Stone & Youngberg LLC. Governance/Legal Chartering as a Vector for Systemic Reform Room 105 Charter schools and traditional districts often have rocky relationships. A few districts see independent public schools as an opportunity for broader reform, e.g., replicating successful charter models to create an alternative delivery system. New American Schools works with a diverse group of American cities where chartering is an impetus for reform. How might their lessons apply to California's chartering districts? Nelson Smith, New American Schools Governance/Legal Advanced Privacy, Public Records, and Business Secrets in Charter Schools Room 307 Charter Schools face a number of unique issues relating to the ownership of written materials, artwork, and other producible works. Understand how to minimize disputes regarding ownership of written works and protect your school's identity in the marketplace. Learn about new California laws regarding security of private information and privacy policies. Checklists and sample policies will be discussed. Greg Moser and Andy Serwin; Foley and Lardner Governance/Legal Avoiding Personnel Landmines: Hiring, Firing and Evaluating Charter Staff Room 302 Some of the most difficult struggles that charter schools face are personnel issues. This session offers tools and tips to prevent common personnel problems by establishing clear hiring, evaluation, and disciplinary procedures and policies. Start-ups to seasoned charter schools will benefit from this presentation. Jim Young and Jessica Hawthorne, SMY&M Law Office Governance/Legal Working with the Legislature Room --- Strategies for getting what we want through the legislature and how you can be involved. Rand Martin, Rose & Kindel; Ernie Silva, Murdoch Walrath & Holmes Leadership Not Reinventing the Wheel: the Charter Mentor Program Room --- Almost all charter schools experience similar "passages" in the start up and sustaining phases; the ability to meet those challenges defines a successful charter school. San Francisco's Gateway High School is starting a Northern CA mentor support program for up to a dozen schools. Come learn about the program and how to apply to be a mentor school. Peter Thorp, Principal of Gateway High School and President of the Board of Directors for the California Charter Schools Association; Ting L. Sun, Ph.D., Vice President, Leadership and Quality, California Charter Schools Association Student Achievement Aligning Theory & Practice: Project Based Learning in Action Room 318 Charlie is building a rock wall, while a community resource specialist shows Amy how to make a siphon. Project-based learning (PBL) like this at the secondary level offers a viable curricular alternative. In this session, participants will learn about the West Hawaii Explorations Academy Public Charter School model as featured in the George Lucas Foundation Learn and Live series. Nina K. Buchanan, University of Hawaii Charter School Resource Center Student Achievement Personalizing Education through Advisory: Support our students in time of diminished resources, budget, and space Room 316 Leadership High School's advisory program forms strong relationships between students, their families and their advisor to effectively support and advocate for the student in his/her academic and personal growth. Hear what we learned in our first four years of co-advising students and how that is shaping our work this year. Students and families will share their experiences as well. Michelle Deiro and Eve Gordon, Leadership High School Student Achievement Teacher Qualification and Credentialing in Charter Schools Room --- Determining what credentials are required for charter schoolteachers is a cumbersome, complex, and often frustrating process. What are current credentialing requirements for California charter schoolteachers? Participants will receive information about the various credentialing avenues available in California, including specific information on the 91 accredited programs currently in place. Michael Moody, and Deanna Brady, Ph.D., Insight Education Group Student Achievement The New SAT and Its Impact on Your Sophomores and College Admissions Room 314 What are the realities of this new test? Does it represent a fundamental shift in what it tests and measures, or a repositioning of the test? Understand how to explain the changes, and how public and private colleges will use SAT I and SAT II scores differently for the class of 2006 than they do for the class of 2005. If time permits, learn astonishing techniques for improving essay scores on the new SAT I Writing section. Paul Kanarek, Founder of The Princeton Review in California Exhibitor Presentation Time-Tested Success with Calvert Curriculum Room 316 For over a century Calvert has been committed to inspiring the best in each student through an integrated, classical curriculum developed and proven in its own classrooms. Discover how this time-tested, academically stimulating curriculum maximizes instructional quality, reinforces concepts through an integrated disciplinary approach, instills a love of learning, and creates a lifelong learner. Presenter: Megin Renaud, Calvert Curriculum Exhibitor Presentation Take a Learning Odyssey for Student Success Room 303 Participants will
learn how Odyssey Charter School in Las Vegas, Nevada, is using
a web-based curriculum option to give parents and students an
alternative to the traditional setting for education. Learn about
integrating web-based learning and student management systems into
your charter school curriculum. |
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March 30th 11:00am – 12:15pm Accountability/Accreditation The San Diego Charter Schools Accountability Project Room 103 Understand strategies for using data to
respond to accountability demands and making better decisions relevant
to improving student achievement, as well as analyzing and presenting
data to both internal and external audiences. City-aided School Reform - When Mayors Support Charter Schools Room 319 Mayors Ron Gonzales and Jerry Brown represent two of the biggest charter supporters in the United States, but they and other big city mayors (e.g. Indianapolis) have taken different approaches. Come hear education aides to these two mayors, as well as an education leader who has advised San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, talk about the successes and challenges of mayoral involvement in charter schools. Moderator: Peter Thorp, Principal of Gateway High School and President of the Board of Directors for the California Charter Schools Association; Panelists: Avo Makdessian, education advisor to Mayor Ron Gonzales; Simōn Bryce, education advisor to Mayor Jerry Brown; Bill Jackson, President, Greatschools.net, Parent Advocate Business Operations Recruiting and Retaining Quality Experienced Teachers Room 105 A school is only as good as its teachers. Are you recruiting quality teachers as effectively as possible? Are you retaining them? This session can help. Temp Keller, Resources for Indispensable Schools and Education (RISE) Facilities Introduction to Charter School Facilities Room 102 This panel of charter school leaders will explain what facilities are needed to support an effective school, what schools can afford, and how schools can afford what they need. We will discuss a brief overview of the different options, and the costs and benefits associated with each. Moderator: Carl Cade, Director of Facilities Development, California Charter Schools Association, Charlie Leo, Natomas Charter; Anita Landecker, ExEd; Charles Robitaille, Aspire Public Schools Leadership Developing Learning Communities through Collaboration Room 317 This session will introduce you to some of the processes of learning communities. Through a constructivist learning model, you will explore new perspectives that will place you and others in the place of most potential. Experiences will transfer back into your school or classroom. Learning will be challenging and fun. Kathy Tiner, Judy Jamieson, Judy Witt, Fielding Graduate Institute; Ref Rodriguez, Special Education Planning for Students with Special Needs Room 201 Understand the referral, assessment, and identification processes in serving students with special needs. Learn how to ensure compliance with state and federal law, how to identify and address student needs, when to refer students for special education evaluations, and when to write an IEP or offer a 504 Accommodation Plan. Also, what to do when special education students are not progressing. Dr. Carol Bartz, Director, North Inland SELPA Student Achievement Can We Teach for Understanding Room 314 "Teaching for Understanding" has been a commonly changed mantra for sometime in forward thinking schools. We will explore the nature of "understanding" and look at the relationship of understanding to knowledge and skills. Understand the implications of this for classroom teachers and learners. Gain a coherent view of "Teaching for Understanding". Chrissie Jahn, International School of Monterey Student Achievement Charter Schools and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) – How to Start An Official Sports Program Room --- Randy Fulcher, Athletic Director from Oakland’s University Preparatory Charter Academy, and several officials from the CIF, will discuss the logistics of sponsoring official CIF sports teams. Topics will include approval process, league enrollment and formation, Title IX issues, tournament involvement, rules, regulations insurance, and much more. Schools wishing to have their kids playing by September 2004 should make this workshop. Randy Fulcher, Athletic Director, Oakland’s University Preparatory Charter Academy Student Achievement Early College High School Initiative Room 315 This presentation will review the Early College High School Initiative grant program which supports the creation of 15 new Early College High Schools on or near California community college campuses. Robert Nolan, Foundation for California Community Colleges Student Achievement Exploring Options with Independent Study Room 101 We'll share how schools are using independent study to offer special-topic courses, courses that are no longer offered due to budgetary demands, and courses designed to meet the special interests and needs of gifted students. Allowing students to self-pace their studies, accelerate their progress, or study within their personal schedules makes independent study an option worth exploring. Ellen Wyllie and Beverly Fox, University of Missouri's Center for Distance & Independent Study Student Achievement GAVRT & the Universal Radio Round Up! Room 306 Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope
(GAVRT) curriculum is inquiry-based and aligned with national
as well as individual state standards. Students operate and control a
110-foot, 500-ton deep space radio telescope located at NASA's Deep
Space Communication Complex at Goldstone, California from their
classroom. They collect and analyze data and contribute to NASA
missions and a worldwide database used by professional scientists. The Six Fundamentals of LifeSkills Training Room 301 LifeSkills Training is a groundbreaking substance abuse prevention program developed by Gilbert J. Botvin, Ph. D., for elementary and middle school students based on more than 20 years of scientific research. It is comprehensive, interactive and penetrating in its dynamic approach to addressing the underlying causes of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use. Presenter: Gerry Livingston, National Health Promotion Associates, Inc Exhibitor Presentation Choose to Improve with Music Education Room 307 Developing a child’s musical interest and skills is an investment in their future. Music education provides the opportunity for self-expression, creativity and achievement. Proven studies show that music participation improves critical thinking, math skills, self-discipline, and social skills. Find out how an instrumental program can fill the gap and provide for greater self-esteem and constructive activity. Presenter: Michelle Love, Just Lovin’ Music Studios, Inc. Exhibitor Presentation EdVisions Schools: Project-Based Learning Tapping into Kids’ Full Potential Room 316 EdVisions Schools' innovative project-based learning model integrates student interests and performance assessment with systematic high standards and the latest educational technology. The session also looks at EdVisions Schools' implementation of teacher-ownership models in which educators are given a proprietor's stake in their school's success. They are owners of the instructional program and market their services to a board. Presenter: Shel Hiscock, EdVisions Schools Exhibitor Presentation Bringing Data to Life Room --- Funding, analysis reports and accountability; these all depend on accurate data and proper tools. Software Technology Inc. (STI) has been supplying schools with cost effective solutions to their data and reporting needs for 20 years. See how STI's suite of integrated school, special education and reporting solutions can bring your data to life and empower everyone to higher achievement. Presenter: Cory Travers, Software Technology Inc. |
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March 30th 1:15pm – 2:30pm Accountability/Accreditation Using Parent and Student Surveys Effectively Room 304 How can school administrators use online surveys to cast their net broadly and "listen deeply" to their stakeholders. Learn how your charter school can use online surveys and the "survey-data-feedback" process as part of their "tool kit" to set goals, demonstrate accountability, become accredited, apply for grants and foundation money and adjust school programs to meet the needs of their students Shareen Bell, webfeedback.com Business Operations Business Plans: The All-Purpose Accountability Instrument Room 105 Business Plans are used to secure funding from banks and foundations; they also organize strategic planning initiatives and action plans incorporating educational programs goals and objectives. They help establish an accountability report card on organization performance, advocacy and public relations. The Panel will present a sample business plan and its many versatile features. Jan Jablecki and David E. Guthrie, The Camptonville Academy/ Education Synergy Consulting Business Operations Donated Computers: What do they really cost? What can you do with them? Room 103 There are many ways in which "recycled" equipment can help you achieve operational budget savings. But there are also many risks that can be avoided with careful implementation. You will learn how to integrate donated/recylced equipment into your tech plan, with comparisons to industry "best practices" and cost schedules, and hear real case experiences of charter schools implementing donated technology. Moderator: Ricardo Mireles, Director of Technology Services & Products, California Charter Schools Association; Mark Miller, The Miller Institute for Learning with Technology; Tim Mansfield, former Technology Coordinator, East Palo Alto High School; Jean Michel Dault, ADVX.org Project Leader Business Operations Regional Business Manager's Meetings: C/Bus Net Room 306 Understand how to start and/or support Business Managers Meetings in your locale. The session provides insight into how business managers and administrators can manage the business side of school operations through a grant/deadline matrix and by networking with others with related concerns and interests. Diana Hadfield, Business Roundtable for Education Facilities How to Negotiate Prop 39 Requests Room 318 Proposition 39 requires school districts to provide equal accommodation for charter school students in school district facilities. Learn about implementation issues and recent litigation involving the charter school experience. Understand a new model for evaluating charter school options and strategies under the Prop 39 regulations. Colin Miller, Director of Policy and Research, The California Charter Schools Association; Paul Minney, SMY&M; Alice Miller, Dave Patterson; Leslie Kasahara, School Facilities Consultant Leadership Going from Good to Great – Session 1 Room 319 Taking a school from Good to Great – applying Jim Collin’s book, Good to Great. Learn how two schools worked with the concepts and advice in Jim Collin’s book, and how they successfully implemented them. Then join the presenters for Session 2 to plan how you can facilitate Good To Great in your school. Janet Adams, Principal Kingsburg Elementary, Charlie Leo, Natomas Charter School Student Achievement Developing Effective Programs for English Language Learners Room 305 This session will demystify jargon related to bilingual education and clarify the steps every school must take to ensure that English Language Learners (ELLs) are getting an appropriate education and that the school is meeting federal compliance requirements. Assess where your school stands. Define and compare six different models and understand how to determine which to choose. Ariana Quinones, Deputy Vice President, Center for Community Educational Excellence, National Council of La Raza; Jacqueline Vialpando, Language and Literacy Coordinator National Council of La Raza Student Achievement Effective Instructional Design: Aligning Standards, Assessment and Instruction Room 102 In this interactive session, participants will examine the use of a comprehensive, process-oriented approach to instructional design and delivery which articulates the vital relationships between standards, assessment, and instruction. Jason Stricker and Michael Moody, Insight Education Group, Inc. Student Achievement A Day in the Life at High Tech High Room 201 Understand how the design elements of High Tech High are making a profound impact on the students who attend High Tech High Schools. Learn about the key aspects of the instructional program, including project-based multi-disciplinary learning, and understand the organizational aspects and architectural design elements of High Tech High Schools. Jed Wallace, Director, High Tech High Learning Student Achievement SARC - School Accountability Report Card Room 315 Both NCLB and the Calif. Education Code require that you report your school's performance to the public annually. What is required? What is effective? What is the easiest way to get the job done? And how can you put these reports to work recruiting new students and staff, and Steve Rees, President and Publisher, School Wise Press Student Achievement Title: The Nuts and Bolts of Creating a Charter School Self-Study Room 301 Understand the basics of creating a charter school self-study with an emphasis on strategies for the collection and analysis of data for continuous self-improvement. The California Charter Schools Association and WASC created a set of criteria for the self-study process unique to charter high schools seeking accreditation, and any charter school as an accountability tool. Bill Wellhouse, River Valley High Charter School Student Achievement Using a Web-based Curriculum for Home Schooling Room --- Participants will learn how Odyssey Charter School in Las Vegas, NV is using a web-based curriculum option to give parents and students an alternative to the traditional setting for education. We will demonstrate how families are totally involved in the educational process within the home. Connie L. Malin, Susan D'Aniello, Nancy Fitzgerald, Odyssey Charter School Exhibitor Presentation Creating a Comprehensive Charter School Room 101 The foundation of a charter school is the belief that the business of a school is to ensure not only that the students are equipped with critical core knowledge and competence, but also that the structure and operations of the school maximize achievement for all students. Participants will learn the essential operational Components of a High Achieving School and will leave inspired to return back to their sites to faithfully implement them. Presenter: Kelly Smith and Cindy Lenners, Action Learning Systems Exhibitor Presentation Creating Enhanced Multimedia Presentations: Using Microsoft Office, PowerPoint 2003 and Microsoft Producer 2003 Room 302 Learn how to save time in creating rich presentations for your students and colleagues with this latest version of PowerPoint, including the free add-on Microsoft Producer 2003. Easily create, organize, synchronize and publish all types of media elements including slides, audio, and video files, images and animations to create more effective learning interactions between faculty and students. Presenter: Joy Dakin, Microsoft Corporation Exhibitor Presentation EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) – a Project Oriented Strategy for Technology Education Room 303 The EAST model has been recognized nationally as a successful approach to education. Combining relevant and emerging technologies with significant community service projects, students from over 200 schools nationally (nearly 50 in California) are making a difference in their world. Attendees receive free evaluation software Presenters: Matt Dozier, EAST, Inc and Tom Lazear, Archway Systems Exhibitor Presentation There's More To It Than MUSIC! Room --- Music in Education is a complete, technology-assisted program for teaching General Music. But the benefits are MORE than measurable, MORE than meaningful and MORE than musical! Learn more about Music in Education, how it can affect children's development and why it might be one of the most important parts of any school curriculum! Presenter: Tom Wheeler, Yamaha Corporation Exhibitor Presentation It’s 10 past 8. Do You Know Where Your Kids Are? Room --- How do you know if your students are really getting it? Learn through this hands-on workshop how teachers can gather student responses in real time and use that data to adjust their teaching so that they can be sure all students get it before they leave! See how you can compile student data, build a profile, and recommend a course of intervention so that students can meet the standards. Presenter: Werner Garciano, Texas Instruments, Inc. Exhibitor Presentation Building Multiple Paragraph Essays: All Students can write at Standard Room --- This exciting session will feature successful writing techniques designed to scaffold learning so all students can write at standard. Research-based graphic organizers (for summaries, narrative essays, responses to literature, persuasive essays, and information/research reports) will be shared. You won't want to miss these powerful techniques to increase vocabulary, improve sentences structure, and transform paragraphs into at-standard essays. You will leave with strategies and tools to use immediately in your classroom or with other teachers. Presenter: Ted Hooks, The Learning Headquarters |
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March 30th 3:15pm – 4:30pm Accountability/Accreditation The Hard Knocks of Accountability Room 305 This session will discuss ways to engage and make learning meaningful for independent study students. We will focus on the balancing of attendance, academic and behavioral regulations with sound ethical teaching in the independent study format and how to generate high accountability for teachers, students and schools. Laura Barrel, Natomas Charter School Advocacy/PR/Marketing Legislative Update Room 315 The California Charter Schools Association will provide updates on the latest legislation and initiatives. Branche Jones, Director of Governmental Affairs, The California Charter Schools Association; Colin Miller, Director of Policy and Research, The California Charter Schools Association Authorization/Oversight Charter Renewal Simulation: The Importance of Making the Case Room 318 Charter school renewal decisions test the schools and the authorizer's ability to apply the accountability terms set out in the charter performance agreement. In this case-based session, participants decide whether to renew a school's charter. The case is based on actual performance data and addresses tensions inherent in applying No Child Left Behind requirements. Technical and political challenges of making renewal decisions are highlighted. William Haft, NACSA, National Association of Charter School Authorizers; Liane Zimny, Oakland Unified School District Business Operations Recruiting and Retaining Quality Staff Room 101 Looking for new ideas to attract and hold onto high quality teachers, administrators, and support staff? This session will provide participants with strategies and resources to put your school "out in front" in the competitive areas of staff recruitment. Explore what motivates educators to stay in the profession and ways to reduce turnover. Bonnie Cohn, LA County Office of Education (LACOE) Facilities New Design and New Code for California’s School Buildings Room 307 Architects, planners and the regulatory agencies are continually being challenged to rethink the way educational facilities are designed, approved and built. A panel of design professionals and representatives from the state agencies will share new directions in designing and obtaining approvals for school facilities. Moderator, Carl Cade, Director of Facilities Development, California Charter Schools Association; Jim Hackett, Division of the State Architect; Rob Nash, Vitetta Architects; Joanne Koplin, A/A, 2 Roads Consulting Leadership Going from Good to Great – Session 2 Room 319 This will be a facilitated discussion on how to implement the concepts in Good To Great in your school. You will develop a basic plan of action you will be able to apply when you return to your school. Janet Adams, Principal Kingsburg Elementary, Charlie Leo, Natomas Charter School Student Achievement Accountability In A Virtual Program Room 303 Understand how systems and processes that ensure accountability to the California state requirements practices can be implemented in virtual schools. These include: daily review of student lesson completion and attendance by certificated teacher, Parent-Teacher conference structure, verification of certificated staff attendance, participation in state standardized testing Jim Konantz, The California Virtual Academies, in partnership with K12 Student Achievement Implementation of Technology – A Success Story Room 317 Fenton Avenue Charter School's independence has facilitated instructional innovation through the implementation of technology. Through collaboration with business and community partners, and strong teacher leadership we met the challenges of creating a state-of-the-art environment to ensure the effective use and integration of technology as teaching and learning tools. Joe Lucente and Irene Sumida, co-Directors, Fenton Avenue Charter School Student Achievement Increase your API by Developing Successful Grade-Level Teams Room 301 Extend your repertoire of strategies for building a data rich culture in which grade level teams collect, analyze and apply student data. Learn strategies for developing teacher leaders who are able to facilitate data-driven, results-oriented conversations. Take home a set of team building exercises that increase motivation and performance. Dr. Andy Johnsen and Stacey Porter, Santa Monica Blvd. Community Charter School Student Achievement Increasing Student Capacity to Learn: Empowering Students to Find Their Own Voices Room 316 The River School System approach organizes an entire school's culture to empower students to gain self-confidence which in turn results in more effective learning. This session will give participants tools to help create opportunities for students to voice their own thoughts, to ask critical questions, to engage in their learning and in their community. Linda Inlay; Mary Bryan, Several Students, The River School Student Achievement Pacific Collegiate School - Raising the Bar on Public Education Room 103 Pacific Collegiate School (PCS) has been the top performing Charter School in California since it opened in Sept. 1999. Awarded the Federal Dissemination Grant monies in 2003, PCS has produced two products, which every attendee will receive: the PCS curriculum handbook and an interactive CD, which describes the PCS story. Understand the key elements that have contributed to its success. Jan Keating, Principal and James Reinhart, Development Director, Pacific Collegiate School Student Achievement Using Standards Focused Project Based Learning to engage the minds and hearts of your students Room 201 This presentation offers a proven step-by-step process for incorporating content standards, leadership skills, and performance assessments into powerful classroom-based projects. The presentation is particularly appropriate for educators seeking to build a culture of high performance, student engagement, and community involvement in middle and high schools. Thom Markham, Buck Institute for Education Student Achievement What's The Point? Advising Students of Their Post High School Options In a Charter School Environment Room 304 What are the challenges of helping students plan for the wide breadth of future opportunities, which may or may not include a university education. The presentation includes the nuts-and-bolts of high school graduation, internship, apprenticeship and vocational training opportunities, college admission, and the different ways to make a student's high school experience work well for them. Addie L. Ellis, MS, PPS - School Counselor - Antelope View Charter School David Peterson, MA, PPS - School Counselor - CORE @ The Camptonville Academy Exhibitor Presentation Achieving and Sustaining Greatness through the Power of 3 Room 102 Power of 3 is a unique leadership concept supporting the independent entrepreneurial nature of charter schools. Presenters will describe key services that enable new schools to flourish and establish schools to sustain success. Seven factors that influence achievement, leadership, and public relations will be detailed and attendees will be provided with a self-assessment of organizational health. Presenter: Stephen White, Ed.D., The Garland Research Group Exhibitor Presentation Preparing Young Children for the School Challenge in the 21st Century: Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Illiteracy Room 105 Early childhood education helps preschool children prepare for academic and social success in school. Parent education and support groups allow parents to share questions, concerns, and strategies with their peers and counselors. Parent-child interaction provides role models and structured situations for positive parent-child interactions. Presenter, Clarita Kohen-Klieman, Santillana USA Exhibitor Presentation Proven Strategies and Results: Improve Math Achievement Room 302 Research identifies strategies that show positive math achievement for all students - especially the under-prepared. Session will focus on how to provide accountability through testing, teach the underpinnings of essential math concepts, procedural skills and problem solving. Scientifically-based research validates statistically significant achievement gains for 11,000 DC students using these strategies. Presenter: Guy Boardman, Math Teachers Press Exhibitor Presentation Classroom Technology Integration - The Missing Link Room 314 Much investment has been made in classroom technology. But is curriculum integration really taking place? This session demonstrates how an interactive whiteboard teaching system provides the missing technology integration link. Experience how components of an interactive system (whiteboard, software, peripherals) can be used to transform classrooms. Take part in "voting" using hand-held devices, and see examples of how an interactive system has been successfully used in schools. You will also be provided with information on how to fund this solution. Presenter: Lori S. Alcala, Promethean Exhibitor Presentation Standards Based Curriculum Planning and Assessments Room 304 Participants will learn how to analyze grade level standards, plan appropriate instruction and periodically assess student progress toward learning standards. Handouts will include a curriculum planning chart, sample assessment questions and class or individual student assessment reports. Presenter: Geni Boyer, Ph.D, The Learning Classroom Exhibitor Presentation Administrative Tools to Create Successful Schools Room --- Imagine walking into a high poverty school where students are motivated, on task and actively engaged in standards-based learning. A National Milken Award-winning principal will share the process, strategies, and research-based tools used to change the lowest performing school in the district into National Title I and California Distinguished School. Useful ideas to support teachers to help ALL students to read and write at standard will be presented. Presenter: Linda Fisher, The Learning Headquarters |
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March 31st 9:00am – 10:15am Accountability/Accreditation Data Driven Decision-Making Tools Room 301 The session discusses the development of useful tools from school accountability data that can inform decision-making. Examples for the session will be drawn from MMACCS (Multiple Measures of Accountability for California Charter Schools), a centralized database of school, staff, and student performance data from charter schools throughout California. Deborah Santiago, USC-Rossier School of Education Authorization/Oversight Hearing Charter Appeals-Standards and Procedures for County Offices Room 103 This session will address the many facets of the appeal process including: The process and standards for hearing appeals; appropriate grounds to grant or deny an appeal, etc. County Offices, school districts and charter school petitioners will all benefit from this discussion on the appeals process. Donna Williamson and Laura Schulkind, Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore Business Operations Accounting for SB740 Funding Determination for Independent Study Charter Schools Room 102 Independent Study charter schools must submit detailed calculations to the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools for a determination of funding level that typically ranges from 70% to 100% of regular ADA funding. This session will explain the rules and suggest strategies for optimizing funding from this high-stakes process. Adam Musch and Josh Newman, EdTec, Inc. Business Operations Break Even Fiscal Analysis - Royal Room --- Nearly every successful business enterprise performs break-even analysis. For Charter Schools the questions include: What formula or parameters should be considered for a break-even analysis? Is there, for instance, a maximum cost factor for school facilities that influences if a school’s operations will break even? How much fund raising per student per year is necessary? Bring your crystal ball - - - - and join the discussion. Cathi Vogel, Vogel & Associates Business Operations Great Students Come from Happy Teachers - A Good Compensation Package Room 303 Charter schools need to provide a compensation package that at least resembles, and perhaps surpasses, those of the traditional public school sector. This session looks at one or more charter school compensation packages, as well as how a school can potentially offer their employees something similar. Retirement Benefits, compensation packages, salary schedules will be presented and evaluated. Charlie Leo, Natomas Charter School Business Operations Lessons Learned on Scaling Up Charter Schools Room 318 Have you created a successful charter school? Interested in creating more quality schools? This session will focus on lessons learned by several major charter networks and funding organizations. The discussion will highlight challenges regarding funding, organizational growth, teacher and staff hiring, charter trailblazing, teacher development, culture impact and Prop 39 implications. The session will provide an opportunity for audience participation. Moderator Mark Kushner, CEO, Leadership Public Schools, Advisory Commission on Charter Schools; Lauren Dutton, Partner, New Schools Venture Fund; Anuja Master, Managing Director, Pisces Foundation; Gloria Lee, COO, Aspire Public Schools. Facilities Successful School Building: When and how to Hire the Professionals Room 306 An unusually large number of experts are involved in planning, designing and building school facilities. Very few construction processes require the interaction of a more diverse combination of ‘players’. Who they are, when they should be brought onto your team and what their roles and responsibilities include will be the focus of this session. Kathi Littmann, Two Roads Consulting & JoAnn Koplin, KDI Governance/Legal Dummies' Guide to Contract Negotiations Room 302 The session will cover the do's and don'ts of employment contracts, vendor contracts, and contracts with school districts. Save your school thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees and lots of grief caused by unclear expectations and a lack of remedies for poor quality goods and services. Jerry Simmons, Best, Best and Krieger Governance/Legal Employment Law Basics Room 105 This session reviews basic employment law for charter schools, including wage and leaves of absence, union representation, and employment status. This session offers tools and tips to prevent common personnel problems by establishing clear hiring, evaluation, and disciplinary procedures and policies. Darell Pugh, Foley & Lardner Leadership The Role of Business & Community Partnerships in Sustaining Reform Room 316 Understand how strong business and community partnerships can be leveraged to encourage the system to act, change and sustain. A case study focuses on how lack of a sustained community engagement program can unnecessarily hinder progress and encourage system entrenchment. It highlights the e21/Student First high school reform effort in the Sacramento City Unified School District and its core partner, LEED Sacramento. Deanna Hanson, CEO, LEED-Sacramento (Linking Education and Economic Development). Leadership Strategies Effective Charter School's Use to Reduce Teacher Stress Room 305 Researchers and school personnel agree that teachers and staff members who are overly stressed are less effective. However, our schools have a lot of pressure to be as effective as we can be. Is this a Catch 22? We review research on techniques, which reduce stress and burnout, while increasing the morale at your school. Michael C. P. Fanning, Ed.D., Associate Professor, St. Mary’s Colleges, Educational Leadership Program Special Education Secondary Students with Disabilities in an Inclusive Distance Education Setting Room 307 This session focuses on how parents, educators, and children develop community building and communication skills to support cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of diverse populations within a Charter School setting. Data collection included observation, field notes, graphic artifacts, formal and informal structured interviews, and participant observations in classrooms. Connie L. Malin, Susan D'Aniello, Nancy Fitzgerald, Odyssey Charter School Student Achievement Keeping Home-schoolers Connected Room 317 Innovative ways to keep a home-schooling population connected with site-based programs, and with each other. A brief video will detail how to operate as a team with home-schooling families to meet accountability requirements and improve student performance. A question and answer panel with Natomas Charter's School's parent-teachers, students, and staff will follow. Lynda Mulholland, Natomas Charter School Student Achievement Tolerance-Based Education Resources and Strategies Room 304 Learn of award-winning, free resources to integrate into curriculum and instruction, including strategies designed to help educators react promptly and effectively whenever hate, bias, and prejudice strike. Emily Vickery, Teaching Tolerance Student Achievement Facing History and Ourselves: A Model for Engaging Students Room --- Great schools have effective teacher equipped through meaningful professional development with an array of strategies to engage their students deeply with the content and with each other. In this interactive session for middle and high school social studies and English teachers, participants will be introduced to curriculum and strategies that will build classroom community, promote critical thinking, and help students understand the importance of civic participation. Jack Weinstein, Director, Northern California, Facing History and Ourselves Exhibitor Presentation IC and Microsoft Office Specialist Certification: The Doorway to Success! Room 101 Basic computer literacy and proficiency in desktop applications are essential in today’s world. Learn how IC and Microsoft Office Specialist certifications address these needs while providing college credit for students and professional development opportunities for teachers. Presenter: Brian McFadyen and Scott Stoddart, Certiport, Inc. Exhibitor Presentation Insuring Your Charter School - How to Survive the Hard Market Room 102 This session helps school administrators identify alternative insurance solutions for their charter schools. Insurance companies will be identified that provide exclusive programs for charter schools. Learn how your charter school can lower its premiums while obtaining better coverage. Discussions will highlight Workers' Compensation & loss prevention, as well as General, Professional and Directors' & Officers' liability. Presenters: Troy Winkles and Greg Chapman, Chapman & Associates Exhibitor Presentation Bringing the World to Your Classroom: Expository Reading and Writing Room --- Do you struggle to help teachers bring social studies/science standards into an already packed day? Integration is the key. This presentation will provide techniques so all students can access the core curriculum while meeting grade level reading and writing standards. Join us to learn research-based instructional strategies to help students of all levels identify key information in expository text and transform this knowledge into powerful sentences, summaries, and reports Presenter: Gina Dayton, The Learning Headquarters |
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