February 2013
Capitol Update 2/28/13
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Legislative Update
* Budget Update: Local Control Funding Formula
* Federal Update: Impact of Sequestration on Charters
* Quickly Approaching Deadline: Charter School Revolving Loan Fund 2012-13
* Application Available for Exemption from Apportionment Deferral in June 2013
* 20th Anniversary Charter Schools Conference
* Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Considers Changes to the Intern Credential Program
* 20th Anniversary Advocacy Day
Ready to Start Planning Your Time in San Diego?
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Public Charter School Grant Program Workshop: March 11
ign up now to receive the governance and fiscal management training required by the Grant Program Sign
CCSA Answers: Collecting signatures on the same form for both a new charter petition and Proposition 39
Question: May the signature form for a new charter petition also be used to collect Proposition 39 signatures?
Featured Grant: Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge - Middle School
Funding for middle schools to help students work together to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements that will solve an environmental problem in their classroom or school community
Workshop for Public Charter School Grant Program
The California Charter Schools Association is proud to announce the return of a one-day Pre-Conference Public Charter Schools Grant Program workshop.
Capitol Update 2/21/13
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* CCSA Sponsors Legislation on SB 740 Facility Grants
* Budget Update
* Northern California Charter School Nominated for a Green Ribbon Award
* 2012-13 First Principal (P-1) Apportionment has been certified
* Bill Introduction Deadline
External Opportunity: TEDxLoyolaMarymountU - Better Together (April 6)
The charter school community is invited to apply to attend this TEDx event. Event organizers saw the need to bring thought leaders from various industries to share multi-disciplinary perspectives on ideas and challenges relevant to education.
Enter to Win Amazing Tech Prizes for Students from the CK-12 Foundation
An entire classroom has a chance to win iPads, Kinkdles, Nooks or Chrombooks from the CK-12 Foundation by demonstrating educational innovation and creativity in the “Get-Real” competition.
Why Invite Elected Officials to Your School
Many local and state elected officials may not be familiar with charter schools, so take the opportunity to show them the good things happening at your school.
Webinars for School Developers
There are a number of online charter school development information sessions coming up in the next few months on topics ranging from incorporation to designing a realistic school budget.
Featured Grant: Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge - High School
Funding to encourage student teams to identify an environmental issue that has global impact and to provide a viable, replicable solution
Michelle Rhee and Geoffrey Canada to Offer Book Signings at the 2013 CCSA Conference
Don’t miss these exciting events. Friday, February 22 is the final day to receive up to a $50 discount per registration so register today!
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in San Diego this April 4-6 at High Tech High
High Tech High will be hosting a teacher conference from April 4-6 to focus on “Deeper Learning”
The Continuing Need to Educate the Community on Charter Schools
The Association encourages our schools to print, link to, embed, and share all of the resources on our website including the overviews of what charter schools actually are to your audiences.
February 2013 Update: CCSA v. LAUSD (Prop. 39 Litigation)
CCSA filed a Petition for Review in the California Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeals’ decision that upheld LAUSD’s use of “norming ratios” when determining classrooms offers for charter schools.
Update: San Diego Unified Proposition Z - ICOC Board Action
SDUSD Board acted on February 12 to merge the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee for Proposition S and Proposition Z.
Northeast and Central Valley Regional Meeting Wrap Up
Here’s a look at what was shared at the four regional meetings in the Northeast and Central Valley region February 4 -7.
Exciting March 10 Volunteer Opportunity for Charter Students, Parents and Staff
CCSA is looking for 15 - 20 volunteers on March 10 to help fill conference bags.
Webinars for School Developers: Charter School Facilities 101, Building the Team to Fulfill Your Mission (Part 2 of 3), PCSGP: Governance 101 and PCSGP: Finance 101
There are a number of online charter school development information sessions coming up in the next few months on topics ranging from incorporation to designing a realistic school budget.
Capitol Update 2/14/13
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Budget Update on Local Control Funding Formula
* PCSGP Peer Reviewers Needed for Dissemination Grant Application Review
* Annual Compilation of Charter School Laws and Regulations
2013 California Charter School Laws and Regulations: An Annual Compilation of Selected Provisions is Now Online
This handy reference booklet contains all the relevant legislative and regulatory changes affecting charter schools in 2013.
March 6: Join Discussion on a Regional STEM HUB for Los Angeles
The LA Chamber of Commerce is developing a regional STEM hub, which will kick off at a STEM Workforce Seminar in conjunction with the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) on March 6. Local charter schools are invited to participate.
Feb. 16: March for Educational Equality in LA!
Educators and parents from both charter schools and traditional district schools will “March as One” on Feb. 16 to ask mayoral and LAUSD board candidates to support educational equality. The event is coordinated by LA teachers in partnership with several community groups. Join us!
Public Charter Schools Grant Program Finance and Governance Trainings
CCSA will be holding four online Public Charter Schools Grant Program Finance and Governance Trainings.
One of the Best Rounds of Central Valley Charter Meetings Yet
Thank you to all of you who participated in the recent round of Central Valley Regional Charter Leader Meetings.
Webinars for School Developers: Fundraising 101
There are a number of online charter school development information sessions coming up in the next few months.
Additional Spots Available: Attend Parent Summit on March 13 for FREE!
Additional spots now available for Charter Parents in the San Diego Region to represent their charter school at CCSA’s Parent Summit.
CCSA Answers: Opting Out of the STRS Retirement Network
Question: Is there any way for our school to drop out of the STRS retirement network?
Featured Grant: Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE)
Funding to support health education efforts aimed at the prevention and reduction of tobacco use by youth.
Seneca's New Multidisciplinary RTI Model Helps Charter Schools Position All Students for Success
Long-time providers of a comprehensive continuum of support services for children and families, they are now consulting and partnering with charter schools to enhance intervention supports.
Capitol Update 2/06/13
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Positive Outcome for Non-classroom based Schools at ACCS
* Budget Update
* Legislative Update
Help Available During the Latest Proposition 39 Cycle
CCSA has prepared templates to assist schools who requested district facilities under Proposition 39 and received or failed to receive preliminary proposals of facilities on February 1. Schools are required to respond to those offers by March 1.
Start-Up Circle featuring Alpha: Blanca Alvarado Middle School in San José
Learn more about the process of starting a school, supports available to teams interested in starting a school, and connect with others who also want to see more high-quality schools in the Bay Area.