November 2013
Mayors for Educational Excellence Tour Comes to Sacramento December 12
Hear how real, actionable policies are being implemented to revolutionize the education of our youngest generations.
Capitol Update 11/21/13
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Thank You Senator Liu
* Local Control Funding Formula FAQ
* CDE Smarter Balanced Assessments Field Test Update
* LAO Forecast: State’s Fiscal Position is Strongest in a Decade
* Happenings: Updates and Deadlines
Last chance: Apply for 21st Century afterschool grants by Dec. 12
Youth Policy Institute, a Los Angeles non-profit that currently runs after-school programs at several charters, can work with your school and apply as the lead agency for the grant.
Charter Leaders Connect with Senate Education Chair Carol Liu
Representatives from diverse charter schools across Los Angeles recently had the opportunity to have a deep and thoughtful discussion with Senator Carol Liu (D - Pasadena), who plays an important leadership role in the Legislature. A two-hour conversation touched on issues from SB 740 funding to charter-district collaboration, teachers unions and Code 1090.
CDE now says that most students will take both English and Math SBAC
In a letter to superintendents and charter school leaders, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson gave more details on testing for this year. We particularly wanted to highlight an update on testing as it varies from what CDE had previously conveyed.
Dec. 5: Charter School Communicators Meet-up in Los Angeles
Are you responsible for communications for a charter school? Join your local colleagues for an in-person meet-up in Los Angeles on Dec. 5. Whether you’re trying to pull together marketing materials, pitch positive stories to the media or pull together a communications plan for the year, you’re not alone!
Featured Grant: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Dissemination Sub-grant
Funding for charter schools that will disseminate best practices likely to significantly improve academic achievement in California’s K-12 public education system.
Read All About It - Fresh Off the Press: CCSA Conference Programming is Now Available
CCSA is proud to announce and offer programming tailored specifically to the needs of Charter Leaders, Board Members, Teachers, Developers and Charter School Supporters—programming that has been developed and approved by charter school experts to meet the needs of YOUR school community.
CCSA Answers: Contracting to Provide Courses or Tutorial Services
Question: May a charter school contract with a nonprofit educational organization to provide courses or tutorial services?
Featured Grant: Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award
Recognizes and rewards an outstanding high school teacher who has made biotechnology learning accessible to the classroom
Free Training in Los Angeles on Charter School Best Practices Project
The California Department of Education is offering a free training session in Los Angeles County for educators to learn strategies for using the new Charter Schools Best Practices Project, a new initiative to strengthen charter schools across the state by providing teachers and administrators access to hundreds of online resources to aid their work.
Free Training in San Diego on Charter School Best Practices Project
The California Department of Education is offering a free training session in San Diego County for educators to learn strategies for using the new Charter Schools Best Practices Project, a new initiative to strengthen charter schools across the state by providing teachers and administrators access to hundreds of online resources to aid their work.
Take "The Making Caring Common Project Survey" to Learn How Students Experience School
The Making Caring Common Project (MCCP) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education is offering an opportunity to participate in a survey and school network pilot. If your school participates, you will be able to draw on the latest strategies - based on research evidence and the wisdom of practitioners - for promoting caring and empathy, preventing bullying and cruelty, and strengthening communities.
CCSESA Releases Common Core Leadership Planning Guide
CCSESA has released the first edition of the Common Core Leadership Planning Guide to offer support and recommendation around 10 key areas of the new state standards.
Torlakson Launches Charter School Best Practices Project; Hundreds of Resources Available
The California Department of Education is launching a new Charter Schools Best Practices Project to strengthen charter schools across the state by providing teachers and administrators access to hundreds of online resources to aid their work.
Parent Empowerment Act Webinar - November 21!
Learn about the Parent Empowerment Act and how parents can organize and advocate for a quality education.
Capitol Update 11/7/13
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* State Board of Education Meeting
* Transition to a New Assessment System: Focus on Charter Schools Webinar
* Growth in California Charter Schools Continues to Gain Momentum
* Capitol Advocacy Leaders
* Happenings: Updates and Deadlines
Charter School Opens in a National Park
A small foothill community partnership to create mountains of opportunities for students.
Nov 19: Funding Charter School Facilities Workshop - in Sacramento
Learn How to Access Resources and Prepare for the Future! The workshop will include updates from key state agencies on charter school financing options and state oversight.
CCSA Answers: Retroactively Entering Into an Independent Study Contract
Question: Can independent study be recorded for a student retroactively?
Featured Grant: 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) Program
Funding to create incentives for establishing before-and after-school enrichment programs that partner schools and communities to provide academic and literacy support and safe, constructive alternatives for youth; and assistance in passing the California High School Exit Exam
Nov 21: Funding Charter School Facilities Workshop - in Santa Ana
Learn How to Access Resources and Prepare for the Future! The workshop will include updates from key state agencies on charter school financing options and state oversight.
Nov 14 CDE Webinar: School Leaders, Prepare for Smarter Balanced Assessments
Thursday’s webinar by the CDE is designed just for leaders of Charter Schools. Pre-register now!
In the Spotlight: Exhibit Hall - Find Your Next Great Vendor Partner at the CCSA Conference
Only 112 days remain until we arrive in San Jose for the start of our Annual Conference March 3-6, 2014. This year CCSA looks forward to including over 250 booths in the exhibit hall showcasing over 280 companies that provide tools and resources to fit the unique and expanding needs of the charter movement.
Risk Management: Alarming Frequency of Pedestrian Accidents Among Students
From CharterSAFE: Unlike drivers, who typically know how to deal with an auto accident, students may lack knowledge of what to do if hit by a car…
Don't Wait to Submit Your Renewal Petition!
CCSA strongly suggests that petitioning schools submit their renewal petitions by November 15, 2013 if you haven’t already done so.
Workshop: Funding Charter School Facilities: How to Access Resources and Prepare for the Future
If you are a charter school, work with charter schools, or are considering initiating a charter school, this facilities workshop will help you identify sources of funding to address your critical facility needs.
CCSA Answers: Addressing E-mail Thread Among Board Members in Violation of the Brown Act
Question: If an e-mail thread among board members occurs which is in violation of the open meeting requirements, how can we address this after the fact?
Featured Grant: 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Funding to create incentives for establishing before-and after-school enrichment programs that partner schools and communities to provide academic and literacy support and safe, constructive alternatives for youth.