May 2012
The Brown Act and Posting Meeting Minutes
Question: Does the Brown Act include a directive related to the posting of meeting minutes?
Capitol Update 5/31/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Legislative Update
* ACTION ALERT: Oppose AB 1172! Make Your Voice Heard Before The School Year Ends
* Charter School Facilities Update
* 2012-13 Deferral Exemption Application Deadline Approaching
* Register Today for the National Charter Schools Conference
* Is Your School Ready for Common Core?
Featured Grant: Child Care Facilities Revolving Fund
Funding for the purchase of new, relocatable child care facilities for lease to contracting agencies that provide child care and development services; applicants receiving funds must repay the CDE over a ten-year period, interest free
Register Today for the National Charter Schools Conference
The National Conference is a great opportunity for professional development, learning best practices and networking with other school leaders who face the same challenges as you.
Capitol Update 5/25/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Legislative Update
* Budget Update
* Transitional Kindergarten
* 2012-13 Charter Schools Annual Information Survey
* Nutrition Services Compliance
San Diego Bond Measure
San Diego Unified is putting forth a bond measure that includes charter schools at a pro-rata share this November. Learn about what is happening in this area
CCSA Answers: Principal Credentialing
Question: Is a principal of a charter school in California required to hold either an administrative services credential or a California teaching credential?
Renewal Readiness Checklist
Are you ready for your renewal? CCSA’s first renewal webinar is June 14 - use our quick checklist to make sure you’re ready and can take maximum advantage!
Parents Come Together to Build Garden at San Jose Charter School
Parents from Bullis Charter School in Los Altos recently partnered with parents at Escuela Popular in San Jose to build a new garden and play structure.
Regional Meeting Wrap-up (Including Resources!)
We had a great set of regional meetings this last week. Key topics and links to handy resources inside.
Being Prepared for Charter Leader Turnover Should be a Priority
I believe it is important to have a robust professional development program or process in place at our schools to inspire folks to continue to improve and take on new duties and challenges.
External Opportunity: May 30: Pro-Union, Pro-Reform Discussion
Local educators are invited to a discussion hosted by Educators 4 Excellence on Wednesday, May 30.
Last Chance! 20th Anniversary Conference Registration Special
This week is the final chance for members to register for the 20th Annual California Charter Schools Conference for the low price of $300. Have you registered yet?
CCSA Data Collection: Driving Research, Advocacy and Service
Wondering what data requests CCSA makes of your school, and how we put the results to work?
Featured Grant: 2012 Catalyst Fund
Support for organizations that connect underserved youth with outdoor experiences within or near their communities.
ZOOM! Automatic Contract Renewal 2012 In Process
Learn about the ZOOM! contract renewal process
Updating End of the Year Data
As schools give their final benchmarks and other assessments to close out the year, the ZOOM! team would like to remind you to update your DataDirector core files to reflect your current roster.
CCSA files motion in its Prop. 39 case against LAUSD challenging LAUSD's classroom space allocation to charter schools.
CCSA requests that the court order LAUSD to re-calculate the number of classrooms allocated to charter schools under Prop. 39 using the method required by the regulations.
See you at the San Jose Area Charter Meeting on May 24!
We’re looking forward to seeing you at our Spring Regional Meeting on May 24th. Our agenda includes opportunities to engage with each other around the use of data, School Board Election Information and Dos and Don’ts for non-profits, and Need- to-Know-Now Budget and legislative updates.
Now is the Time to Advocate for Funding Equity in the State Budget
Your voices will continue to make the difference in our funding equity efforts.
Fresno Area Charter Leaders Meeting Filled with Exciting Discussions
Thank you to all who attended the Fresno Area Charter Leaders Meeting. If you weren’t able to attend… check out one of the remaining two meetings in our region.
Retirement Benefits at Risk - Take time to Speak Out
Many people have been asking me about the proposed IRS regulation regarding STYRS/PERS.
Last Round of Regional Meetings
Please join us for the last round of regional meetings for the year. We will be discussing legislative and budgetary updates including transitional K and STYRS/PERS benefits. We will have a representative from Charter School Capital explain the difference between…
2012-13 May Revision Budget Brief
CCSA closely tracks the state budget for its impact on charter schools, and provides periodic Budget Brief documents at important budget junctures. On May, 14 Governor Brown released the May Revision to his 2012-13 budget proposal. The proposal maintains current funding levels for schools and begins to pay back some deferrals.
CCSA Answers: Title I Funding for Direct-Funded Charter Schools
Question: How are direct-funded charter schools funded for Title I?
Featured Grant: Do Something Seed Grants
Support for projects focusing on community building, health and the environment
Are You Renewing this Year?
Over the past few years, an increasing number of charter schools across the state have faced difficulty when seeking initial authorization or renewal of their charters. Make sure you don’t by participating in our series of key renewal webinars this June!
LA Regional Meeting Features Special Sessions on Budgeting and Fundraising
In response to member interest, our May 30 regional meeting is offering some in-depth sessions on these key topics - see more details including the presenters and don’t forget to register today!
Capitol Update 5/17/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* 2012-13 May Revision Budget Brief
* Legislative Update
* SB 740 Fourth Advance Apportionment for 2011-12 Posted
* Charter Schools Annual Information Survey Delayed
GradeCam: Coming to DataDirector This Fall
New options for grading assessments are coming soon!
Classroom Standards Performance Report Now Fully Operational!
You can use this report to break down how your students are doing on each standard and cluster on an assessment, and it’s a great tool for teachers to target their instruction much better.
June 2: Best Practices Conference for Co-Located Schools
LAUSD’s Office of Support and Intervention is hosting a Best Practices Conference for Co-Located Schools on Saturday, June 2 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Do you have insights to share? LAUSD is current seeking speakers to share best practices.
The Laws Regarding Student Outreach, Admissions and Lottery Preferences
Charter law in these areas can be daunting. Middleton, Young & Minney presented a workshop on these topics at last year’s Charter Schools Conference. The video is now available on demand!
Central Valley Regional Meetings: 20th Anniversary Celebration Discussion
Have an idea for an activity to celebrate 20 years of charter schools in California? Join us at the next regional meeting near you.
SF and Oakland Regional Meetings This Week
We look forward to seeing all San Francisco and Oakland Charter Leaders at our Spring Regional Meetings on May 15 and 16.
Northern CA Charters Named among Top 100 US Schools!
A huge shout-out to the 10 charter schools in Northern California that made the list of U.S. News and World Report Top US Schools. Congratulations to the students, faculty and parents of these schools! We are proud of your accomplishments and hard work. See the list of honorees.
Capitol Update 5/10/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* California Legislature Recognizes National Charter Schools Week
* Legislative Update
* Budget Update
* Federal Update
* State Board of Education Takes Several Actions on Charter Schools
* Building a Special Collection of Charter School Documents
Don't Miss Critical Business Managers' Meetings!
Questions on the new budget proposal and how the state’s financial situation will impact your school? Look no further than CCSA’s Business Managers meetings! CCSA is holding in-person meetings at regional meetings and webinars throughout May and early June.
CCSA is Hiring in Sacramento
Work for a cause you care deeply about! California Charter Schools Association advances the charter school movement through state and local advocacy, leadership on accountability, and resources for member schools. CCSA is a trusted source of data and information on…
Fresno's University High School is Among the Top High Schools in the Country
Congratulation to University High School which sits on the Fresno State University campus for once again being ranked by US News & World Report as being one of the top high schools in the state and the nation. University High…
CCSA Answers: Title I Funding
Question: How is Title I Funded?
Featured Grant: Facilities Renovation and Repair Grant
Supports the repair and the renovation of facilities used to serve state-subsidized families in center-based child care and development programs administered through contracts with the California Department of Education (CDE), and Child Development Division (CDD) to maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and health and safety requirements in existing licensed facilities.
CCSA Celebrates National Charter Schools Week!
National Charter Schools Week gives CCSA a chance to highlight positive stories from our charter schools across the state. Visit CCSA’s blog daily for posts and stories.
San Francisco Charter Leaders Meeting - Date Change
Get the details on the next regional meeting, now scheduled for May 16.
20 Years of Charter Schools: How Will You Celebrate National Charter Schools Week?
This week, May 6-12, 2012, the charter movement across the nation is celebrating National Charter Schools Week. Help us get out the word!
CCSA's Legal Team Launches Web Library
The collection is a result of years monitoring court cases law and administrative actions which directly affect CCSA members and the charter school movement in general.
Join Us at the Upcoming Regional Meetings
These meeting are getting better and better each time we meet so please don’t miss them. If you are unable to attend, please send a designee.
CCSA's "YouTube" Channel Packed with Great Info
They cover a variety of topics, all relevant to the work that we do on a daily basis.
Charter Schools Week: Panel Discussion on Charter Schools & Beyond - Reform Efforts for School Success
Drexel University Center for Graduate Studies and School of Education is hosting a panel discussion on public school reform as part of their “On the Leading Edge” series.
Regional Meeting Reminder (Date Change for Region 2)
DATE CHANGE Region 2 (Chico/Redding) Charter Leaders Meeting The Region 2 Spring Charter Leaders Meeting has been moved from May 17 to Wednesday, June 13, from 9 a.m. - noon at CORE Butte. I hope you can still join us…
MY&M and Trustee Cooley host an Information Night on Sac County Board of Education Race
Attend this information night to learn what’s at stake for Sacramento charter schools in the upcoming June 5th election.
Charter School Night at the Padres
SIATech will be providing the color guard for the game as well as honoring their employee of the year during the pregame show.
Proposition 39 and SDUSD
Good news this week for a couple more charter schools who were still negotiating the Prop. 39 process.
San Diego Unified News
There was a big charter meeting at SDUSD last week. First up was the controversial renewal of Nubia Leadership Academy.
CCSA Answers: Length of Time to Retain Independent Study Assignments and Work Records
Question: What is the required length of time for keeping students’ completed independent study assignments and work records?
Featured Grant: Mario Savio Young Activities Award
Award for young people with a deep commitment to human rights and social justice and a proven ability to transform their commitment into effective action