April 2014
Strengthen Strategic Planning in This Critical Transition Year
The School Self-Assessment Portal is a FREE confidential tool just for members to help school leaders identify what they are doing well and areas where they can improve.
Time Is Running Out to Take Advantage of NWEA MAP Assessments Discounted Rates
CCSA has partnered with the NWEA™ allowing California charter schools to receive a substantial discount on MAP® assessments in Math, Reading, and Language Arts in order to provide critical information to help schools effectively transition to Common Core.
CharterSAFE: Sports Physicals Offer Opportunity to Screen for Serious Conditions
From CharterSAFE: Sports physicals, a prerequisite for participation in high school athletics, represent an important opportunity to quickly screen for a variety of conditions that could place the young athlete at risk.
External Opportunity: Gently Used Books for Charter Schools
BookEnds just received a donation of 65,000 gently used books from a corporate sponsor. They are eager to get these books into the hands of Los Angeles children and families prior to June 1.
External Opportunity: The Tom Bradley Project
A curriculum guide for 12th grade Government classrooms, supported by Common Core standards, designed to accompany the educational documentary, “Tom Bradley’s Impossible Dream.”
CCSA Answers: Guaranteed Sick Leave
Question: Is there a state law which guarantees teachers 10 sick days a year? How many paid sick days are typically offered at a charter school?
Featured Grant: Charter School Facility Grant Program
Funding assistance to charter schools for rent and lease expenditures.
Your Voice Needed on Critical Charter School Legislation
CCSA needs you to take action today on two critical legislative bills that impact California charter schools: Assembly Bill 2178 (Levine) and Assembly Bill 1531 (Chau).
CCSA's Special Education Team Announces the First STAR Award Winner!
CCSA and the Special Education Team would like to congratulate Ms. Logan Juve Janicula from Rocketship Los Sueños, for becoming the first STAR Award winner!
Capitol Update 4/24/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Your Voice Needed on Critical Charter School Legislation
* Support Assembly Bill 2178 (Levine) Blended Learning
* Oppose Assembly Bill 1531 (Chau) Charter School Boards
* Independent Study Proposal Moves Forward
* Charter School Facilities Program Deadline
* See you in Sacramento for Advocacy Day!
Reminder: Accept or Decline Your Prop. 39 Final Offer By May 1
School districts were required to provide charter schools who requested district facilities under Proposition 39 with final offers of facilities by April 1. As a reminder, charter schools must accept or decline the offered space no later than May 1 or 30 days after the final offer, whichever is later. Read on for more information and template response letters.
Featured Grant: Proposition 39 - Clean Energy Jobs Act
Funding for local educational agencies for improving energy efficiency and creating clean energy jobs.
CCSA Answers: Must Charter Schools Comply with Education Code 42103?
Question: We received a notice from our County Office of Education stating that, to comply with Education Code 42103, we must display our 2013-2014 budget for public comment. Is this required for charter schools?
Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI) Focuses on Northern California
Thanks to a strong response from the California charter school community, the CSFI is off to a great start to reach our goal of achieving an 85% percent participation rate in the survey. The Bay Area, the Central Valley, and Sacramento will be the focus of our last big push to reach our goals and we need your help us cross the finish line!
CharterSAFE Alert: Anchor Bookcases and Large Cabinets
From CharterSAFE: Emergency preparedness on campus should include an evaluation of the stability of your file cabinets, freestanding cabinets and bookcases.
Keep Your Special Education Option Open - June 30 Deadline
If your school is interested in exploring LEA status or negotiating alternative special education arrangements for the next school year, you must submit a letter notifying your existing SELPA of your intent to exit the SELPA by June 30.
Capitol Update 4/17/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Action Alert: Assembly Bill 1531
* Ask YOUR Legislators to Protect Charter Autonomy at Advocacy Day
Join Us and Celebrate National Charter Schools Week 2014
Every year, National Charter Schools Week gives us an opportunity to raise awareness about our charter schools and the charter school movement and we have a lot to share!
CharterSAFE Alert: Slippery Floors in Student Restrooms
CharterSAFE is seeing a frequency of injury claims arising from slippery floors in student restrooms. Frequent checks aren’t enough. Read recommendations from CharterSAFE.
CCSA Answers: Charter-Specific Local Control Accountability Plan
Question: Will the State Board of Education be releasing a charter-specific Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) template?
Featured Grant: 2013 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants
Funding for school food authorities (SFA) to purchase the equipment needed to serve healthier meals, meet the new nutritional standards with an emphasis on more fresh fruits and vegetables, improve food safety, and expand access.
Capitol Update 4/10/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Assembly Bill 1531
* Ask YOUR Legislators to Protect Charter Autonomy at Advocacy Day
* Charter School Facility Grant Program Application Period Open
* Federal Update
* Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS)Federal Update
Funding Round of the Charter School Facility Grant Program is Accepting Applications
The Funding Round of the Charter School Facility Grant Program (Program) is now open through Monday, May 12, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
LAUSD Authorizer Overreach Response Strategy
Initial discussion with charter leaders on strategy and collective action in response to LAUSD’s overreaching oversight practices.
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.
Have You Received Your Prop. 39 Final Offer?
On April 1, districts were required to provide charter schools who requested district facilities under Proposition 39 with final offers of facilities. Schools are required to inform districts whether or not they intend to occupy the offered space no later than May 1 or 30 days after the final offer, whichever is later.
Capitol Update 4/3/14
Included in the Capitol Update this week:
* Action Alert: Oppose Assembly Bill 1531
* CCSA’s Board President Invites You to Advocacy Day
* New Bill to Strengthen Federal Charter Schools Program
* Happenings: Updates and Deadlinese
Advocacy Day Registration Deadline Is April 18--Last Chance! Participate and Win!
Join us for Advocacy Day 2014. Register now to attend our annual event on May 7 in Sacramento and to meet with your legislators, advocate on behalf of your school and the charter school movement, and discuss CCSA’s policy agenda.
CCSA's Board President Invites You to Advocacy Day on May 7! Register by April 18!
Read the inspiring letter by Diane Tavenner, founder and CEO of Summit Public Schools (SPS) and CCSA, Board Chair to join 200 California charter school leaders, board members, parents, teachers and students and celebrate National Charter Schools Week on May 7 for Advocacy Day in Sacramento.