April 2012
External Opportunity: National Charter School Resource Center Special Education Conference
“Building the Capacity of Charter Schools: Effectively Serving Students With Disabilities” will be held Tuesday, June 19, 2012, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., during a full-day preconference event that will take place the day before the 2012 National Charter Schools Conference begins.
CCSA Announces Changes to the LA Advocacy Team
Allison Bajracharya has been promoted to Vice President of Regional Advocacy and Corri Ravare is being promoted to head the LA Advocacy Team, in addition to her current responsibilities as Executive Director for Families That Can.
May 16: Teacher Town Hall with Mayor Villaraigosa
Teachers and educators from the charter school community are invited May 16 to a town hall forum hosted by Teach Plus.
Building a Special Collection of Charter School Documents
The California State Library, through the California Research Bureau, is currently compiling a special collection of charters and charter school petitions to support the spread of best practices in charter school formation and management.
Congrats to Granada Hills on Nat'l Academic Decathlon Win!
We couldn’t be prouder of the students from Granada Hills Charter High School’s Academic Decathlon team who cinched the national title this weekend!
National Charter Schools Week
We will be celebrating the week at the Padre Game on Saturday night, and Journey will be hosting Senator Mimi Walters.
Why the 2012 Elections Matter
The 2012 elections will impact California’s policy environment for years to come.
May 3: LACOE Charter School Support Services Roundtable
CCSA will host a roundtable meeting to review and discuss LACOE’s Charter School Support Fees
Spring Regional Meetings
The next round of regional meetings will be the week of May 21st. All regional meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. - noon.
Deadline for Responding to Your Prop. 39 Offer is Tuesday May1!
Tuesday May 1st will be the deadline for charters to make their final Prop. 39 responses to the district. CCSA has resources and information to help you.
Capitol Update 4/26/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Budget Update - Your Actions Made a Difference
* Legislative Update
* Charter Schools Facilities Update
* Environmental Charter High School wins U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award
ACEL Charter High School Approved
In what was a dramatic ending to an emotionally-charged night which went past midnight when the Academy for Civic & Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACEL) was approved for another 5 years at their hearing in front of the Fresno Unified School District Board.
Spring Regional Meetings - Register Today
Spring meetings are around the corner and I’d like to invite you to provide suggestions for the agenda.
Get Informed! Sacramento County Candidate Forum May 2
There is a lot at stake for charter schools during the June 5th Election. Who’s running and where do they stand on these issues, and more?
Help Us Celebrate National Charter Schools Week!
National Charter Schools Week is right around the corner, and CCSA has resources and ideas to help members celebrate locally.
Conference: Keynote and 20th Anniversary Celebration Ideas
Shape your annual conference by sharing YOUR ideas!
Featured Grant: Linda Riddle/SGMA Endowed Scholarship
Funding to provide young female athletes of limited financial means the opportunity to continue to pursue their sport in addition to their college studies
CCSA is Hiring
At the California Charter Schools Association, employees have the goal of supporting member schools and the charter school movement more broadly. Keep reading to see a list of open positions!
External Resource: Common Core Updates on CDE on iTunes U
For Spring, the California Department of Education (CDE) has added new professional development content related to Common Core State Standards.
Important Special Education Updates
If your school is interested in pursuing LEA status for the 2013-2014 school year, you must submit a letter notifying your existing SELPA of your intent to exit the SELPA by June 30, 2012. CCSA has resources, including a May 3 workshop, to assist charters in understanding and exercising your options for serving students with special needs!
Public TV Station Looking for Engaged Teachers for Advisory Board
KQED Do Now is a weekly activity for high school students to explore current issues using Twitter for learning. It is an excellent opportunity for educators to integrate civic engagement and digital citizenship skills into the curriculum.
Transitions for CCSA Oakland Regional Director
It is with mixed feelings that we announce today that Kate Nicol will be leaving CCSA on May 18.
Featured Grant: 2012 Excellence in Culturally Responsive Teaching Award
Funding for educators who have demonstrated excellence, responsiveness and effectiveness in teaching diverse students
Conversion Charter Schools: A Closer Look
As of 2010-11, California is home to139 conversion charters - traditional public schools that converted into charter public schools. This unique group of schools represents 16% of California’s charter school movement and serves 25% of all charter school students. But what do they look like and how are they doing?
Start Early for Renewal Success
Over the past few years, an increasing number of charter schools across the state have faced difficulty when seeking renewal of their charters. To position your school to best meet these challenges, we strongly suggest that renewing schools submit renewal documents early.
Plenty at Stake for Charter Schools in Upcoming Elections
It makes a lot of sense to encourage your parents, administrators & teachers to get involved in the upcoming elections.
Do You Need Help with Your PCSGP Application Due April 30?
The Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) application period that was scheduled to close on March 31, 2012, has been extended to April 30, 2012 for eligible charter schools to apply. CCSA’s Knowledge Management team is available to answer your questions via our Help Desk.
Capitol Update 4/19/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Action Alert: Key Budget Hearings Next Week on Charter School Items
* Action Alert: Continue Allowing Retired Teachers to Return to the Classroom
* Legislative Update
* IRS Pension Plan Proposal: Update & What You Can Continue To Do
* National Charter Schools Week is Coming Soon
* PCSGP Deadline Approaching
* PCSGP Readers Needed
Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) Readers Needed
Want to participate in the Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) application review process as a peer reviewer? Here’s your chance!
Concerned about Deferrals? New program for LA charters
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), in partnership with EdCapital Services, has launched a new working capital program for eligible charter schools in Los Angeles County. Informational webinars are coming up May 2 and 7 - register now!
Act Now to Protect Charter School Teacher Retirement Funds
Proposed federal regulations will affect 90% of the charter school workforce - including California teachers — so take action today.
A Shout Out to Bay Area Charter Schools!
Bay Area charter leaders and schools were recognized this week.
Get to Know the Candidates
The PTA and the League of Women Voters is hosting two candidate forums for SDUSD Board Seats for both Districts E and A.
Congratulation to Sol Aureus College Preparatory!
Sol Aureus College Preparatory (SAC Prep) was recently awarded the Title I Academic Achievement Award.
Stockton Community Forum on Charter Schools
On April 5, the Stockton Early College Academy (SECA) charter board hosted a community forum featuring prominent federal, state, and local charter school leaders
Aspire Public Schools Making their Presence Known in the North Valley
I am a strong advocate of seeking a good balance of diverse selections of school choices serving families in the Central Valley with organic independent charters as well as charter management organizations who run multiple schools. Aspire Public Schools operate…
Featured Grant: State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grants
Funding for student-led service learning projects that change the world of education and impact student achievement
Celebrate National Charter Schools Week May 6-12, 2012
The 12th Annual National Charter Schools Week is around the corner. CCSA has resources to help you celebrate, and raise awareness on charter schools.
May 30: LA Regional Meeting
Register today! The next regional meeting will have a focus on board governance issues and fundraising.
Take Our Quick LA Regional Meeting Survey!
Members asked for more training on fundraising and board governance issues at the spring regional meeting. We heard you! Please take this 5-minute survey to tell us more so we can tailor our spring regional meeting to your needs!
Go Padres!!
Come out and celebrate National Charter Schools week at our annual Charter School’s Night at the Padres.
CCSA's California Charter Building Fund Helps Equitas Get a New Home
CCSA’s California Charter Building Fund (CCBF) has helped member charter schools of all sizes obtain financing to purchase, construct or renovate facilities.
April 26: External Opportunity, Free Special Ed Webinar
Cross & Joftus is offering a free webinar for charter school educators on how to develop a systems approach to special education. The webinar will highlight successful collaborations and best practices from across the country, including Los Angeles.
Supt. Deasy Tells District Staff To Stop Hostility Around Proposed Co-Locations
CCSA has been made aware of some recent instances of hostility by District staff and students towards charter schools which have been offered co-locations at LAUSD facilities. Supt. Deasy wrote a letter this week telling staff to stop this behavior.
Mark Your Calendar: Spring Regional Meetings Coming Soon
Spring is a busy time - too say the least! Regional meetings are a forum for you to get important updates and policy and budget changes that are on the horizon.
Jardin de Infancia Renewed by LACOE
On Tuesday, April 10, Jardin de la Infancia’s renewal petition was unanimously approved by the LA County Office of Education board. A BIG congratulations to Jardin!
Capitol Update 4/12/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Let Legislators Know You Support Charter School Budget Items
* Legislative Update: Suspensions, Expulsions, Data Sharing, and More
* Update from the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS)
* National Charter Schools Week is Coming Soon
* Charter Schools Recognized with the Title I Academic Achievement Award
* PCSGP Readers Needed
* Dropout Recovery National Conference Call
Gertz-Ressler High School Wins National Blue Ribbon Award
Congrats to the staff and students at Alliance College-Ready Public School’s Gertz-Ressler High on this huge honor! Check out the story on our News Blog.
April 27: Free Governance Academy in San Diego
This is the workshop charter school board members DON’T want to miss! Find out everything you need to know to be a responsible steward of your school from the Brown Act to financial and academic oversight.
April 25: Free Governance Academy in the Bay Area
This is the workshop charter school board members DON’T want to miss! Find out everything you need to know to be a responsible steward of your school from the Brown Act to financial and academic oversight.
April 23: Free Governance Academy in Los Angeles
This is the workshop charter school board members DON’T want to miss! Find out everything you need to know to be a responsible steward of your school from the Brown Act to financial and academic oversight.
April 19: Free Governance Workshop in Sacramento
This is the workshop charter school board members DON’T want to miss! Find out everything you need to know to be a responsible steward of your school from the Brown Act to financial and academic oversight.
Featured Grant: The Local High School Impact Initiative
Funding for high school success and college and career readiness programs that are helping to reduce dropout rates in their communities
Parents Tell Bennett Kayser: "Stop Attacking Charters!"
LAUSD Board Member Bennett Kayser announced he wouldn’t support anything charter-related, Families That Can immediately put out an action alert. Parents responded in force and have already sent more than 300 emails.
CCSA Answers: Charter School Employees Serving on the Charter School's Board
Question: Can a charter school employee serve on the charter school’s board?
Supporting Downtown Fresno Charters
A limited number of charter schools located in the downtown Fresno area serve students from all over the local region. Please do what you can to communicate your support for one of them…
Save the Date: Regions 1 and 5 May Regional Meetings
Please mark your calendars for our Spring Regional Meeting. I am looking forward to meeting as many members as possible!
Capitol Update 4/5/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Legislative Update
* Budget Update
* Success at the California School Finance Authority
* PCSGP Readers Needed
* Technology Readiness Data Collection Rollout
* Applicants to Serve on the Mathematics CFCC
Parents from Vincent Academy Featured by Families That Can
Vincent Academy was the only new charter school to open in Oakland this year. Meet a couple of the parents who are excited to have this option for their son, featured this week on the Families That Can website!
Recruitment of Educators to Serve on the English Language Arts Focus Groups
Are you an educator interested in helping shape what students learn in the classroom? Find out how you can participate.
Don't Miss our Free Governance Academies!
This intensive workshop is a must for board members and school leaders alike, giving you all the key information you need to be an effective steward.
Have you received your final Prop. 39 offer?
On April 1, districts were required to provide charter schools who requested district facilities under Proposition 39, final notifications. If you have not received a final notification, CCSA recommends that you follow up with a letter requesting a final offer immediately.