TOP


11TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS CONFERENCE


BREAKOUT SESSIONS


Tuesday 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.

Beryl Nelson, Center for Building Educational Excellence


Accountability/Accreditation

The WASC Accreditation Process
Room 316

This session will present an overview of the accreditation process and how charter schools can use this to both validate school success, as well as seek out areas for improvement.

George Bronson, WASC Accrediting Commission; Ting L. Sun, Ph.D., Vice President, Leadership and Quality, California Charter Schools Association


Authorization/Oversight

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 Califo
rnia 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.

Dave MacLaren, Academy for Academic Excellence


Student Achievement

Partnering with Parents
Room 305

Working with parents is a critical part of delivering quality education. The River School system creates a partnership with parents in a way that supports middle scholars in developing a strong sense of self, the goal of the psychological individuation process that begins in adolescence. This in turn helps empower students to succeed in school and gain self-confidence.

Linda Inlay, The River School


Student Achievement

Teaching and Learning in the Small School: The New Tech High Learning System
Room 318

New Tech High has created a student centered, project based, rigorous learning environment. Custom technology tools were developed to help organize and share curriculum, chart student progress, communicate with parents, and collect student data. Presenters discuss the challenges the school faced as it developed its program and how the technology tools it developed helped address those issues.

Susan Schilling, CEO/Replication Director, New Technology Foundation; Paul Curtis, New Technology Foundation


Exhibitor Presentation

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.

Return to
Conference Schedule


Return to
Home Page

Return to Conference Schedule          Return to Top          Return to Home Page


© 2004 California Charter Schools Association. All rights reserved.