March 2014
Capitol Update 3/28/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* 2014 Charter School Facilities Program Webinar
* School Energy Coalition Emporium
* Are you coming to Advocacy Day 2014? #CCSAAdvocacyDay
External Opportunity: May 1: "It Can be Done: Convening on School Turnaround"
What would it take for the lowest-performing schools in the Silicon Valley to become great? Come find out what’s being done across the country at this special event to jumpstart local efforts on this critical issue.
Need Help with Your Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)?
Developing a LCAP can be a daunting task. How do you measure school climate? What defines student and parent engagement? The TC Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys for parents, staff and students can help.
Featured Grant: State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grants
Funding for programs that foster a love of reading and encourage young children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families Quality, youth-led service-learning initiatives throughout the United States focusing on several specific areas.
CCSA Answers: Receiving Credit for Emergency Days When Determining ADA (Drought Update)
Question: The drought was recently added to the list of emergency conditions for which public schools throughout California can receive emergency day credit. How can charter schools receive credit for emergency days when determining average daily attendance (ADA)?
CCSA Releases NEW Common Core Knowledge Briefs!
New Common Core Knowledge Briefs serve as a great resource for members.
Prop. 39 Applicants: Expect a Final Offer of Facilities by April 1
School districts are required to provide each eligible Prop. 39 applicant with a final offer of facilities by April 1. Charter schools are required to inform districts whether or not they intend to occupy the offered space by May 1 or 30 days after the final notification, whichever is later.
Don't Miss Your Chance - 100 Charter Leaders Are Already Heading to Sacramento for Advocacy Day 2014
CCSA’s Annual Advocacy Day is shaping up to be the one of most important advocacy events for education reform in California. Help us fill the halls of the Capitol—register by April 18!
Advocacy Day is Quickly Approaching: 5 Reasons You Should Register Now!
Demonstrate the growth and success of the charter movement by participating in CCSA’s Annual Advocacy Day in Sacramento on May 7.
Fresno Charter Schools Recognized for Civics, Arts, and Character
The Academy for Civic and Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACEL) Charter High School, Fresno was named one of only thirteen California High Schools to be awarded the Civic Learning Award of Distinction.
Charter School Day with the Los Angeles Dodgers - Respond by Friday, March 28!
EdTec and the Dodgers have partnered to designate Saturday, May 31 as the first ever L.A. Dodgers Charter School Day.
CharterSAFE: Renewal Deadlines Approaching for School Insurance
Please visit the CharterSAFE website to review important deadlines regarding CharterSAFE renewal for the 2014-15 school year….
CCSA Answers: Components of an Authorizer's Charter School Oversight Fee Calculation
Question: Under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), what revenues are included in the calculation of the oversight fee that charter school authorizers are allowed to charge their charter schools?
Featured Grant: Target Early Childhood Reading Grants
Funding for programs that foster a love of reading and encourage young children, preschool through third grade, to read together with their families.
External Opportunity: Principal Apportionment Webinar April 1
Join the California Department of Education for a webinar to learn about the new Principal Apportionment Data Collection (PADC) Software.
Capitol Update 3/20/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Independent Study Briefing
* CREDO Releases California and Los Angeles Charter Schools Reports
* FPPC Pulls Draft Charter School Regulation from April Agenda
* School Energy Coalition Energy Emporium
* Legislative Update
* Happenings: Updates and Deadlines
CCSA Hosts Independent Study Brown Bag at the State Capitol
Charter leaders Cameron Curry and Mary Bixby present independent study briefing at California State Capitol.
Featured Grant: Microsoft Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program Summer Food Service
Vouchers to assist with the implementation and support of technology plans designed to foster effective teaching and promote student achievement.
Did you know CCSA offers Incorporation and Tax Exemption Support to Qualifying Members?
CCSA has a program under which qualifying CCSA members can receive pro bono or reduced rate legal support with the incorporation and tax exemption process from outside attorneys.
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Pulls Draft Charter School Regulation from April Agenda
The FPPC staff is taking more time to consider regulations to govern the application of the Political Reform Act.
Update: Adjustment to Field Test for Schedule One - Begins March 25
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium announced an adjustment to the Field Test schedule for Window One only.
Capitol Update 3/14/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* California Charter Schools Conference
* Federal Charter Schools Program Action Alert
* State Board of Education (SBE) Considers Testing and Accountability Issues
* State Board of Education Renews Two Charter Schools
* Legislative Committees Picking Up Steam
* Energy Commission Announces Second Webinar for Proposition 39 (Energy Efficiency) Program Training
* Happenings: Updates and Deadlines
State Board of Education (SBE) Considers Testing and Accountability Issues
The SBE took action this week to suspend the API and similar school ranks for the next two years for all grade levels.
Reference Your CCSA Buyers' Guide Online, Anytime
The 2013-14 edition offers best practices in purchasing and procurement and ways to cut costs.
Sign up Today for CCSA's Governance Academy!
The Governance Academy is a free, in-person only, four-hour intensive workshop designed to help school leaders and governing board members increase their knowledge of ethical and legal obligations as stewards of public institutions.
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) Training for Charter Schools in LAUSD SELPA
Register Today! The LAUSD SELPA will be hosting a two-day training on Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NCI) for Charter Schools in LAUSD SELPA.
Adapting Lessons for Students with IEPs Workshop on March 28
The Charter Operated Programs will be hosting a free workshop called Adapting Lessons for Students with IEPs.
Strategic Alternatives to Suspension Workshop Part II on March 25
If your school needs assistance with strategic alternatives to suspension, this training is not to be missed.
Common Core State Standards Symposium for Special Educators on March 21
Sign up for an interactive symposium, “Diving Deeper into Aligning the Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the Common Core State Standards.”
CCSA Answers: Rules and Regulations for Administering the Physical Fitness Test
Question: What are the rules and regulations for charter schools, around the administration of the Physical Fitness Test?
Applying for an Exemption from the June 2014 Principal Apportionment Deferral
The California Department of Education (CDE) has posted a letter and other materials related to the cash deferral that will occur in June 2014. Get the details.
New Report: Oakland Middle and High Charter Schools & College-Readiness
CCSA released a new report on Oakland middle and high schools which shows that Oakland charter schools are renewing the promise of a high-quality public education and changing what is possible for students of all demographic backgrounds to achieve in their lives.
Update: AB 1266 Referendum Fails
Last Monday, February 24, the California Secretary of State announced that efforts to repeal the “transgender bill” AB 1266 have failed. In light of this announcement, CCSA has issued some guidance for charter schools regarding the implementation of this bill.