December 2012
External Opportunity: No-cost Common Core Academy + Consultations
CCSA members are invited to participate in Common Core and College & Career Readiness opportunities at no cost thanks to CCSA Vendor Member Center for College & Career Readiness.
Dec. 19: Webinar- Writing Your Charter Petition
Learn the 16-point structure of a charter petition, and how to fully address each element at this free webinar.
Featured Grant: Sodexo Foundation Youth Grants
Funding to help young people bring together young people, families, and other community members, in the fight to end childhood hunger.
Visiting Charter Schools in Redding, Paradise, and Nevada City
We visited a wide variety of schools in Shasta, Butte, and Nevada counties, and choose schools from a cross section of California’s charter schools movement, in terms of size, academic focus, and educational philosophy.
Sac City Charter Leaders Formalize Their Collaboration
Last week, the leaders of eight independent charter schools authorized by Sacramento City Unified voted to formalize their commitment to work together to solve common problems.
Two New Schools Approved in the South Bay
Join us in congratulating KIPP Bay Area, Summit Public Schools and Navigator Schools who all had schools recently approved in the south bay!
Save the Date: South Bay Charter Leader Regional Meeting
Mark your calendars for the upcoming charter leader regional meeting on January 31, 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm! This is a great opportunity to network with other charters leaders, discuss local issues, and get pertinent budget and legislative information.
Please Save the Date to Join CCSA at Our Upcoming Winter Regional Meetings!
Join us January 18 - February 8, 2013 at our Regional Meetings and connect with your charter school peers.
It's That Time of Year Again... Time to Take Advantage of the Early Bird Registration Deadline of December 21st!
Take five minutes and secure your registration for the 20th Annual California Charter Schools Conference & Anniversary Celebration. Early Bird Registration Deadline—Friday, December 21, 2012.
Upcoming Opportunity for Charter Leaders to Get Together
Our regional charter leader meetings are on the horizon. The Central Valley meetings are less than 2 months away and will be taking place the first week of February.
Families That Can: Charter Parents and Leaders Build Momentum in San Diego
The number of San Diego schools committed to partnering with Families That Can Continues to grow as we begin Free “Introduction to Advocacy Parent Workshops” in 2013. Sign a commitment pledge to join our efforts!
SIGN UP! Recruiting Student Performances for the CCSA 20th Anniversary Conference March 12 - 14, 2013
Rally your cheerleaders, dancers, singers, musicians, and mimes together and submit a musical piece/photo/video by January 9 and showcase your student talent at CCSA’s 20th Anniversary Conference March 12 -14, 2013 in San Diego.
Academic Accountability Report Card Corrections Needed by January 4th!
The period to correct information on the Academic Accountability Report Cards is fast closing. Please submit corrections by January 4.
CCSA Answers: Must Physical Education Teachers at Charter Schools Be Credentialed?
Question: Must Physical Education Teachers at Charter Schools Be Credentialed?
Save the Date for CCSA's Online Business Managers Meetings
Questions on the January budget proposal and how the state’s financial situation will impact your school? Look no further than CCSA’s Business Managers meetings this January and February! Register today.
Seeking Increased Autonomy and Funding for Special Education? Submit Your SELPA Application Now
If your school is dissatisfied with your current special education services, you might consider the option of local educational agency (LEA) status for special education.
Capitol Update 12/13/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Support Charter School Inclusion in New Parcel Tax Measure
* Thank You Assemblymember Buchanan!
* Executive Director of State Board of Education Announces Retirement
* ACCS Meeting Canceled
Don't Forget To Add "Complete Facilities Survey" To Your Holiday List
Our effort to shape a policy environment where every charter school in California has access to an adequate, affordable facility begins with our developing an accurate picture of where our state’s charter schools are today.
Explore the brand new CCSA "Find a School" map
Want to “Find a School?” Frustrated by the clunky old map? We are excited to announce that the new CCSA charter schools map is here!
Featured Grant: 2013 Teaching Fellowships
Teaching fellowships for new teachers who have the potential to develop the content knowledge needed for teaching, to develop exemplary teaching practices, and to develop the qualities of a teacher leader
Update: CCSA v. LAUSD (Prop. 39 Litigation)
On December 7, 2012, the California Court of Appeal issued a brief decision in CCSA’s Prop. 39 litigation against the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). In an unpublished opinion, the court upheld LAUSD’s use of “norming ratios” when assigning classrooms to charter schools, finding that the practice is “consistent with the intent of Proposition 39.” This court decision is limited and only applies to the unique facts of LAUSD.
Reminder: Don't Forget to Respond To Prop. 39 ADA Projections!
Under the Prop. 39 regulations, a charter school must respond to the district’s concerns by either reaffirming or modifying its previous projections as necessary to respond to those concerns. If you fail to respond to the district by January 2, 2013, then the district’s ADA projections provided in its December 1 letter are no longer subject to challenge.
CCSA Answers: Percentage used to set a charter school's API Growth target
Question: How does the State set a charter school’s new Academic Performance Index (API) Growth target for the new school year?
District Celebrates Double-Digit API Gains by 4 Independent Charters
SCUSD lauded four charters schools for their academic gains at their December 6 Board of Trustees meeting.
Knowing Your Special Education Options is Always Beneficial
As many of you are aware, providing special education services at public schools is a very complex subject.
CCSA Announces 2013 Conference Breakout and Expo Programming
CCSA’s Annual Conference offers seven programming strands on everything from curriculum, to facilities to legal sessions and over 160 breakout sessions.
Voters Approve $250 Million Schools Facilities Funding for San Bernardino Unified
More than 71% of San Bernardino voters approve Bond Measure N, allocating $250 million to renovate San Bernardino Unified school facilities.
Free Resource: San Diego COE Curriculum and Instruction Network for Public Charter Schools Meeting
Common Core Assessments will be the focus of the next San Diego County Office of Education Curriculum and Instruction Network meeting on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 12:45 pm - 3:00 pm.
Calling All Notable Charter School Alumni
We are compiling a list of notable people who graduated from charter schools. Tell us about notable alumni you know.
Free Flu Shot for Children Ages 4-18 in San Francisco Bay Area
The “Shoo The Flu” program is offering San Francisco Bay Area children ages 4 through 18 a free flu shot, at participating Target Pharmacy locations.
Capitol Update 12/3/12
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* The New Legislative Session Begins Today
* Bill Introduced to Lower Parcel Tax Threshold
* Public Charter Schools Grant Program
* Reminder: Do Not Miss Your Chance to Participate in the Facilities Survey