The 2009 Conference

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

7 am - Registration Opens

7 am–8:30 am - Breakfast in Exhibitor Area

8:30 am–10 am - General Session 1

10:30 am–Noon - Breakout Sessions

Teachers as Leaders
Title:Introductory Session: The Teacher Leadership Strand
Strand:Teachers as Leaders
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This session is designed as a welcome for all teachers interested in our Teacher Leadership strand. In this session teachers will discuss what being a leader at their school means. In addition, teachers will discuss their overall goals for the conference and select the sessions during the conference that will help them meet their objectives.
Presenter(s):Celia Ashley (Granada Hills Charter High School), Christina Hoppe (Granada Hills Charter High School), Reena Mistry (Granada Hills Charter High School)
Location:Promenade C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Math
Title:Making Math Relevant: Instructional Strategies that Work
Strand:Math
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Students can connect to math through discovery-based learning, graphing calculators, wireless teacher/student calculator systems, such as TI-Navigator, interactive note sheets, online animations and a problem-solving-based curriculum.
Presenter(s):Marty Romero (Los Angeles Unified School District/ T Cubed)
Location:103A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:Standards-Based Math Instruction that Works for ELLs
Strand:Math
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:The current educational landscape in mathematics is difficult to navigate with fast-increasing proficiency goals, expectations for all students to take algebra in 8th grade, and a student body comprised of many English Language Learners. This workshop offers strategies to create standards-based math instruction that works for these diverse needs. We will demonstrate how to integrate best practices for ELL instruction within math so it is context-rich, offers opportunities for high quality interaction, and develops algebra readiness.
Presenter(s):Nicole Berg (Camino Nuevo Charter Academy), Kelly Centolella
Location:201A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Special Education
Title:Avoiding Special Education and Section 504 Pitfalls
Strand:Special Education
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Half the battle is avoiding the punch! Hypothetical situations will be explored to identify the most common pitfalls for charter schools with regard to compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Improvement Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. In each situation, we will discuss tips for prevention and options for resolution.
Presenter(s):Lisa Corr (Law Offices of Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP), Julie Robbins (Law Offices of Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP)
Location:103C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:Charter Schools Take Action for Their Special Education Students
Strand:Special Education
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Developers, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Charter schools often face the challenges of inconsistent or incompatible special education services and/or costly contributions to the sponsoring district’s general fund obligation. Poor service - expensive price! A state-wide charter Special Education Local Plan Area exists and has an open invitation to charter schools wishing to gain Local Education Agency status with other districts and schools. This workshop will describe life as a member of the statewide charter SELPA and the prerequisites needed to make "life as an LEA" the right choice.
Presenter(s):Kiera Chase (Envision Schools), Ilene Ivins (Program Specialist), Sue Shalvey (Envision Schools)
Location:102C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Instructional Leadership
Title:Leading for Change: A Framework for Instructional Leadership
Strand:Instructional Leadership
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:What constitutes effective instructional leadership? How is this topic addressed during the conference? What specific leadership practices make a real impact on teaching and learning? This interactive workshop provides answers to these and other questions facing school leaders today. Participants will explore and discuss the innovative resource Leading For Change and discover a practical framework for effective instructional leadership. They will also hear from other conference presenters in the Instructional Leadership strand to learn about other sessions on the topic and have an opportunity to reflect on their leadership goals for the conference.
Presenter(s):Valerie Braimah (Insight Education Group, Inc.), Kendra Kecker (Insight Education Group), Marlene Magrino (Insight Education Group, Inc.), Natalie Redcross (Insight Education Group, Inc.), Jason Stricker (Insight Education Group, Inc.)
Location:102 A/B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Assessment Systems & Accountability
Title:ZOOM! Data Source: Use Data to Improve Instruction and Culture
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:ZOOM! Data Source staff, alongside technology provider DataDirector, will demonstrate effective methods for using student-level data to inform instruction. Technology tools must lead to more than pretty graphs. Learn how to help educators and schools turn gobs of data into valuable road maps for moving from data to meaningful instruction for every student as well as improving schoolwide structure and culture.
Presenter(s):Rebecca Tomasini (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:Promenade A, Long Beach Convention Center
Promenade A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday 3/12 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Supporting Struggling Students
Title:Four Critical Items to Help Students Pass the CA High School Exit Exam
Strand:Supporting Struggling Students
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:New research shows that intervention with struggling students will fail unless the following four critical items are addressed:
• Personalized intensive instruction
• Memory reactivation
• Changing mindsets
• Academic vocabulary

This workshop will highlight schools that have doubled student test scores using an automated version of this four-step process. In documented studies, 89 percent of the struggling students who previously failed the California High School Exit Examination passed after their schools implemented this system.

Presenter(s):Bruce Lewolt (BrainX)
Location:202B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Curriculum & Instruction
Title:Understanding and Creating Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This workshop will educate participants about comprehensive sexual health education and its inclusion in the newly adopted California Health Education Content Standards. Through presentations and interactive exercises, participants will learn what constitutes comprehensive sex education and will review the new health standards, research findings and public opinion. The workshop will allow participants to explore the principles underlying comprehensive sex education and will demonstrate effective strategies for teaching quality sexual health education in the classroom.
Presenter(s):Phyllida Burlingame (American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California), Marisol Franco (California Latinas for Reproductive Justice), Nicole Ressa (Planned Parenthood Los Angeles), Gabriela Valle (California Latinas for Reproductive Justice)
Location:202A, Long Beach Convention Center
202A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Thursday 3/12 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Legal
Title:Education Law 101: What Laws Apply to Charter Schools
Strand:Legal
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:While charters schools are exempt from those "laws governing school districts" under the Charter Schools Act, there are a multitude of critical state and federal laws, constitutional requirements, regulations, and state/local agency practices/rulings which are applicable to charter schools. Whether you are a charter school beginner or veteran, make sure you know what laws are important to you so you can audit your program and/or prioritize areas in need of refinement. In a nutshell, learn to tackle issues before they become legal problems.
Presenter(s):Paul Minney (Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP), James Young (Law Offices of Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP)
Location:101B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Human Resources
Title:Positive Labor Relations for Charter Schools
Strand:Human Resources
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This workshop explores organizational structures that foster mutually productive and effective working relationships. The workshop will discuss the Education Employment Relations Act, Public Employment Relations Board and collective bargaining policies as they apply to charter schools. Come to this workshop and learn how to create a healthy working environment.
Presenter(s):Michael Blacher (Liebert Cassidy Whitmore), Donna Williamson (Liebert Cassidy Whitmore)
Location:202C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Budget/Finance
Title:Annual Conference Business Managers Meeting
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:• Financial update (Governor’s January Budget Proposal)
• Budget dartboard, funding level estimates, supplemental hourly funding, EIA, categorical update, SB 740, COLA, CSR, lottery
• Legislative update & initiatives
• Important deadlines
• Mandates commission
• Local issues
Presenter(s):Alice Miller (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:Promenade B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Facilities
Title:Achieving Grid Neutral Schools Today!
Strand:Facilities
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Join us to explore the opportunities and benefits of building "grid neutral." You will learn the components of a grid neutral school and hear from a pioneering company paving the way for California schools. Known as a leader in creating high-performance green buildings, Project FROG has developed the only commercially available energy neutral building system. The revolutionary concept – FROG Zero – achieves the highest standard of energy performance and aids user productivity, health and comfort.
Presenter(s):Adam Tibbs (Project FROG, Inc)
Location:EH3, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:Better Learning Through Better Classroom Acoustics
Strand:Facilities
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:How well students hear the teacher and each other is an essential component of learning in the classroom. New classroom acoustics research gives insight into how best to improve this all-important part of the instructional program.
Presenter(s):John Rollow (Green Schools Plus)
Location:EH6, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:CA Charter Building Fund: Facilities Financing Designed for You
Strand:Facilities
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:The California Charter Schools Association and NCB Capital Impact created the California Charter Building Fund together to provide facilities financing designed to meet the needs of charter schools in California. We have provided loans for the acquisition and development of property as well as the improvement of leased facilities. Come hear more about the Building Fund and how we may be able to make your dreams of a permanent site a reality.
Presenter(s):Jennifer Afdahl Rice (NCB Capital Impact), Joe Harrington (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:EH5, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:Innovative Methods of Facility Financing for Different Circumstances
Strand:Facilities
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Charter school facility financing has been affected by the recent turmoil in the financial markets. However, there are still good solutions for schools to save money through facility ownership. Particularly in this turbulent time, charter schools should understand their facility financing options. We will present some innovative financing structures which are not widely understood that can help schools obtain adequate facilities, even if schools are not at enrollment capacity, and achieve lower interest rates and lower costs.
Presenter(s):Jason Lane (Providence Financial Company LLC), Rick VanAlfen (Providence Financial Company)
Location:EH2, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:Looking for a New School Site: Facility Feasibility Planning
Strand:Facilities
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:It is important to collect the information needed to make good facility decisions for your school. Facility Feasibility Planning works with your board to develop site selection criteria including budget, growth plan and unique program requirements. Once a site has been selected, a full evaluation process identifies potential deal killers, including environmental hazards, costly upgrades, or lengthy schedules. Case studies will be presented to walk through this process for both state and privately funded charter school projects with a team of experts.
Presenter(s):Jim Bush (School Site Solutions), JoAnn Koplin (TFO Architecture), Liese Olukoya (California Department of Education), William Taylor (TFO Architecture)
Location:EH7, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Title:What You Need to Know: A Strategic Plan to Facility Development
Strand:Facilities
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:"What You Need to Know" is a strategic plan for facility development. With over 50 years of facility planning and development, architects Jim Hernandez and Mark Baker will provide participants insight into that process, starting with identifying the dream all the way through the ribbon cutting of the finished facility. Participants will be engaged in understanding site selection, space planning and programming, capital campaigns, consultant selection, project costs and delivery methods of construction.
Presenter(s):Mark Baker (HB&A Architects Inc.), James (Jim) Hernandez (HB&A Architects Inc.)
Location:EH1, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Safety
Title:When Bad Things Happen to Good Schools
Strand:Safety
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This session will consist of case studies of accidents that resulted in multi-million-dollar losses to schools. We will pick apart the situations to examine the process, and determine what could have been done during the loss to keep costs down or prevent the accident in the first place. Attending this session will help you learn how to avoid these situations and protect your charter school's reputation and balance sheet.
Presenter(s):Tom Boobar (Arthur J. Gallagher), Fritz Heirich (Schools Excess Liability Fund), Sue Mandell (WeTip), Cindy Wilkerson (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:101A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Governance
Title:Starting the First Step in the Strategic Planning Process
Strand:Governance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Non-Classroom Based
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Always thinking you need to get started on a strategic plan, but never actually do? This session is your chance to get started. You will actually begin work on your school's or Charter Management Organization's strategic plan in this session and will leave well on your way toward accomplishing this goal for your school.
Presenter(s):Mark Kushner (Leadership Public Schools and K12, Inc.)
Location:204, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Authorizer Relations
Title:Quality Authorizing = Quality Schools
Strand:Authorizer Relations
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:San Francisco Unified, Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified are all veteran authorizers. Between them they authorize more than 200 of the state's 750 charters. This kind of experience and workload has presented unique challenges, and each of these three districts have dealt with their challenges in different ways. Come find out how each of these three offices have worked with their schools, and how these forward-thinking individuals view the future of charters in the larger world of education reform.
Presenter(s):Moises Aguirre (San Diego Unified School District), Jose Cole-Gutierrez (Los Angeles Unified School District), Nick Driver (California Charter Schools Association), Mary Richards (San Francisco Unified School District)
Location:103B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Community Partnerships
Title:How Grass-roots Partnerships Transform Your School and Community
Strand:Community Partnerships
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:An expert panel of veteran community leaders will share practical advice about how charter schools can expand their reach and transform their communities through effective, mission-driven partnerships with community-based organizations. These partnerships can accelerate the movement's aspirations to radically increase educational options in underserved communities and connect charters to efforts that can help fulfill that mission in each of their communities.
Presenter(s):Myrna Castrejon (California Charter Schools Association), Sonia Hernandez (The National Farmworkers’ Service Center), Yvette King-Berg (California Charter Schools Association), Sister Maribeth Larkin (One LA-IAF), Eddie Pfizer, Ed.D. (NEW Academy Canoga Park), Blair Taylor (Los Angeles Urban League)
Location:203B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Independent Study
Title:Hot Topics for Personalized Learning and Other Independent Study-Based Charter Schools
Strand:Independent Study
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Non-Classroom Based
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Join this panel of experts from the personalized learning/independent study charter school movement to discuss the hot topics for administrators and teachers in personalized learning and other independent study-based charter schools. We will provide the latest developments covering a variety of important topics including the new Verification Process for Special Settings training program, changes in SB740 regulations, UC a-g course approval process for independent study charter schools, and more.
Presenter(s):Diane Grotjohn (The Association of Personalized Learning (APLUS+)), Jeff Rice (APLUS+)
Location:203A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Developers
Title:The Top 10 Things No One Tells You About Your New Charter School
Strand:Developers
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:What do charter school developers really need to know to survive their first year? Learn from and speak with charter leaders who have survived and thrived during their charter schools' first year of operation. Discover some of the hidden challenges that await you and how to overcome them, such as "school hoppers" and Average Daily Attendance challenges, funding realities, unexpected authorizer disclosures, staff relations at a school of choice, and doing it all with less as administrators.
Presenter(s):Richard Hansberger (California Charter Schools Association), Steven Holguin (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:203C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Noon–1:30 pm - Exclusive Exhibit Hall Hours

Noon–1 pm - Lunch in Exhibitor Area

12:30 pm–1:30 pm - Table Talk Sessions

Assessment Systems & Accountability
Title:Where Did Your Students Enroll After Graduation? We Can Tell You!
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:The National Student Clearinghouse can tell you where your graduates are attending college because we maintain enrollment and graduation records for more than 92 percent of higher education students at all types of institutions, including two-year, four-year, public, private, trade school, vocational, and more. This session will demonstrate how high schools can track their graduates throughout their careers in higher education by matching them with the actual enrollment and degree information provided to us by our more than 3,200 member colleges.
Presenter(s):Frost Johnson (National Student Clearinghouse), Jeff Tanner (National Student Clearinghouse)
Location:EH1, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Title:ZOOM! Data Source: Use Data to Improve Instruction and Culture
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:ZOOM! Data Source staff, alongside technology provider DataDirector, will demonstrate effective methods for using student-level data to inform instruction. Technology tools must lead to more than pretty graphs. Learn how to help educators and schools turn gobs of data into valuable roadmaps for moving from data to meaningful instruction for every student as well as improving schoolwide structure and culture.
Presenter(s):Russ Ballati (California Charter Schools Association), Rebecca Tomasini (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:EH7, Long Beach Convention Center
EH7, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Thursday 3/12 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Curriculum & Instruction
Title:Understanding and Creating Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This workshop will educate participants about comprehensive sexual health education and its inclusion in the newly adopted California Health Education Content Standards. Through presentations and interactive exercises, participants will learn what constitutes comprehensive sex education and will review the new health standards, research findings, and public opinion. The workshop will allow participants to explore the principles underlying comprehensive sex education and will demonstrate effective strategies for teaching quality sexual health education in the classroom.
Presenter(s):Phyllida Burlingame (American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California), Marisol Franco (California Latinas for Reproductive Justice), Nicole Ressa (Planned Parenthood Los Angeles), Gabriela Valle (California Latinas for Reproductive Justice)
Location:EH8, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Legal
Title:Develop an Effective Alternative Dispute Resolution Program at Your Charter School
Strand:Legal
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This fast-paced, interactive workshop will model how to develop a successful Alternative Dispute Resolution program in a school setting. In addition, participants will practice and walk away with positive communication techniques practiced by mediators in assisting disputants to come to a successful agreement. The Southwest Special Education Local Plan Area currently provides special education support, including ADR services to ten charter schools in Los Angeles County.
Presenter(s):Marc Purchin (Southwest Special Education Local Plan Area)
Location:EH4, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Budget/Finance
Title:Accelerate State Payments to Maintain Healthy Cash Flow
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Description:In an already challenging financial climate exacerbated by the state’s budget crises, it is critical that schools maintain their ability to make payroll and stay current with their vendors. Come to this table talk that specifically addresses school's financing options for maintaining a stable level of working capital. Hear details about a special financing program offered at a discount for California Charter Schools Association members.
Presenter(s):John Helgeson (Charter School Capital)
Location:EH2, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Authorizer Relations
Title:Schools and Authorizers Focused on Quality Schools!
Strand:Authorizer Relations
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Charter schools and authorizers must make a commitment to work in a collegial and supportive manner in order to maximize the objective of autonomy for accountability. Too often politics, budgets and special interests interfere with the relationship between a charter school and its authorizer. Quality authorizers know that quality charter schools can be a powerful asset to any district's portfolio of schools. Come join this table talk focused on elements of successful school-authorizer relationships.
Presenter(s):Dr. Ken Geisick (Riverbank School District), William Redford (Riverbank Language Academy)
Location:EH3, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Title:Understanding and Negotiating a MOU With Your Authorizer
Strand:Authorizer Relations
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This workshop will give the administrative team of a charter school the basic knowledge in comprehending the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the school and its authorizer. The presenter will provide information that will detail the working relationship between the district and the school. The information in the workshop is intended to fulfill the terms of Education Code 47605 (g) and provide information regarding the proposed operation and potential effects of the school on the district.
Presenter(s):Loretta McDonald (LBM Business Services, Inc.)
Location:EH5, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Marketing/Public Awareness
Title:Online Tour of Association Resources
Strand:Marketing/Public Awareness
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Stop by the cyber café to explore the Association's latest Web site improvements, take a tour of our newest content, and learn about our social media plans and progress. A representative from the membership team will be on hand to help you get set up if you don't remember your password.

Not yet a member? Get a sneak peek of the numerous online resources the Association provides!

Presenter(s):Meagan Hessel (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:Cyber Cafe, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM
Independent Study
Title:Advanced Placement English in Small, Hybrid Attendance Charter Schools
Strand:Independent Study
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:One of the most challenging aspects of developing a successful Advanced Placement English program at River Valley Charter School has been finding effective ways to teach such difficult courses with so few hours of class time. This presentation will examine the difficulties encountered in developing the program, how these difficulties were overcome, the reasons why both AP English courses continue to be offered, and how AP content is taught in a majority independent study context.
Presenter(s):Julie White (River Valley Charter School)
Location:EH6, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM

1:30 pm–3 pm - Breakout Sessions

Teachers as Leaders
Title:Leadership, Autonomy and Accountability: Build a PLC That Works!
Strand:Teachers as Leaders
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:We have heard that Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are the new model for reform, but do you have an image of what it can look like in your school? At Camino Nuevo Charter Academy we have created a PLC to collectively strengthen our students' academic achievement. In this session we will focus on three essential elements for building a PLC that works:
• community culture;
• structures for teacher leadership; and
• management that respects autonomy, inspires partnership and focuses on outcome accountability.
Presenter(s):Sarah Ali (Camino Nuevo Charter Academy), Kate Sobel (Camino Nuevo Charter Academy)
Location:Regency B, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:The Transforming Power of CFGs: One School's Success Story
Strand:Teachers as Leaders
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Our Community School, a public charter school in the San Fernando Valley, will share the inspirational story of how Critical Friends Groups gave them a common language through which they could talk to each other, build trust, and create a culture that supports action research. The school operates as one powerful CFG where teachers and administrators use protocols to share their work and their students' work in a productive and focused way.
Presenter(s):Hilary Anderson (Our Community School), Bobby Blatt (UCLA School Management Program), John Foley (Our Community School), Staci Hammerschmidtt (Our Community School), Danielle Quinto (Our Community School), Jude Stabiler (Our Community School)
Location:203C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Math
Title:Advanced Math and Science Program
Strand:Math
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Parents
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Advanced Math and Science Program is a comprehensive program that aims to motivate and challenge students in grades 6-12 for advanced studies in math and science by training them for prestigious national and international competitions through weekly classes, sleepovers and regional and national camps. AMSP© is implemented in 14 charter schools, six of which are in California. Staff at AMSP© trained Zarathustra Brady from Magnolia Science Academy, who received a gold medal in the 2006 International Math Olympiad; this was a first in charter school history.
Presenter(s):Yasin Cetindil (Accord Institute), Fatih Gelgi (Accord Institute for Education Research), Ali Gurel (Accord Institute)
Location:201A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Changing the Culture of the Mathematics Classroom
Strand:Math
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Developers
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:This presentation will describe a method for changing the culture of high school mathematics classrooms into environments where all of the students expect success for themselves and for all of their classmates. The transformation happens by structuring courses to reward proficiency development and eliminate opportunities for failure. The discussion will begin with a description of the presenter’s personal experience, but it will focus on practical discussion about how teachers can implement the strategies in their own classrooms.
Presenter(s):Elizabeth Butler (Palisades Charter High School)
Location:201B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Special Education
Title:Compliance with IEPs for Charter Schools
Strand:Special Education
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Parents
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Charter schools face unique obstacles complying with Individualized Education Programs. Although charter schools are afforded some level of exemption from California laws, they must conform to all federal laws and regulations. Learn the necessary steps to ensure students are enrolled in an appropriate placement consistent with their IEP. Learn how the charter school’s responsibility is contingent on whether they are their own Local Education Agency or part of a traditional district.
Presenter(s):Tiffany Salayer (Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP)
Location:103C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Instructional Leadership
Title:Preparing High School Students for College and Career
Strand:Instructional Leadership
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Board Members, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Students deserve a high school education that launches them into lasting success in both college AND career – not just one or the other. One of the most promising strategies is to integrate the best career technical education programs with rigorous college preparatory high school curricula. Come hear about multiple pathways, learn of their effectiveness in raising student achievement, and explore two very different models of implementation at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) and a Big Picture School.
Presenter(s):Steve Bachrach (Animo Film & Theatre Arts Charter High School), Susan Fisher (Center for Advanced Research & Technology), Roman Stearns (ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career)
Location:Regency E, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Strategic Design for Student Achievement
Strand:Instructional Leadership
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:How can charter schools maintain high expectations and academic rigor in a standards-based system without stifling the innovative nature of the charter school movement? In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will learn about a process that empowers charter school teachers and administrators to address this critical question.
Presenter(s):Kendra Kecker (Insight Education Group), Michael Moody (Insight Education Group, Inc.)
Location:Regency A, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Teacher Credentialing and Induction: It's Not As Difficult As You May Think
Strand:Instructional Leadership
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Description:We will talk about our experience getting teacher intern and induction applications approved and programs operational. The programs have brought great benefits to their organizations, improving the quality of teacher support and providing a pipeline for talent as charter schools grow. While there are certainly some issues to consider before starting a program, in general the challenges in terms of management and financial resources are not nearly as onerous as school operators might think. This is a great opportunity for other charter schools to step into this space, ushering in a new era of preparing teachers in California.
Presenter(s):Larry Rosenstock (High Tech High), Don Shalvey (Aspire Public Schools)
Location:Promenade A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Assessment Systems & Accountability
Title:How Best Practices Assessment Elevates Student Achievement
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Presenters will announce their Dissemination Grant award for the GRASP Project and invite charter school participation. GRASP is looking for beneficiary schools up for renewal by 2012 to participate in a project designed to improve school performance through Best Practices and is particularly well suited for the renewal process and administration succession planning. CORE@TCA has employed this methodology, showing extraordinary results by adapting efficient operating systems processes, translating into a more effective and accountable school.
Presenter(s):Lisa Corr (Law Offices of Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP), Dr. David E. Guthrie (Education Synergy Consulting), Jan Jablecki (Community Options for Resources in Education at The Camptonville Academy), Jeff Rice (APLUS+)
Location:102A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Supporting Struggling Students
Title:Close the Achievement Gap: Write Well
Strand:Supporting Struggling Students
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, Parents
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Teach all students to write well and close the achievement gap. Learn a writing method that uses the parts of speech to build the four basic sentences and structured paragraphs. This leads to essay writing with ease and skill. This writing method can be taught at all grade levels. Tested, proven and successful!
Presenter(s):Lou De Lorca (Creekside High School)
Location:102C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:The Bridge to High School
Strand:Supporting Struggling Students
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Developers, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This presentation focuses on the preparation of middle school students and the success of a high school preparedness program called WINGS: Winning, Intelligent, Novel: Growing in Self-Reliance. The WINGS program consists of Boot Camp (formal orientation), Flight School (specific skills and knowledge related to high school), Sailin’ Along Study Sessions (study habits, both independent and in a group), and Campaign Objectives (planning and goal setting) which focus on specific skills and knowledge related to the transition to high school.
Presenter(s):Lesley Clifton (Coastal Academy), Stacey Perez (Coastal Academy)
Location:203B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Curriculum & Instruction
Title:Developing Active Readers in Middle School Classrooms
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Do your students ever groan or sigh when you tell them to take out a book? If so, you are not alone! Reading teachers face the very difficult challenge of meeting the needs of students who enter the classroom at varying levels of reading proficiency. This workshop will focus on how to teach the eight essential metacognitive reading strategies through mini-lessons, reading characters, literature groups and fish bowl discussions.
Presenter(s):Wren Gadwa (New West Charter Middle School), Sharon Weir (New West Charter Middle School)
Location:Regency C, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:MEDIA MADNESS: Incorporating Technology in the Classroom
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:In this joint presentation, educators from NEW Academy Canoga Park and the Helendale School District will team up to share strategies for engaging students using technology. The NEW Academy Canoga Park team will share how to use resources to develop presentations, podcasts, and student-made videos. Send home learning resources using DVDs of student- taught lessons. These techniques are helpful for English Language Learners, address multiple intelligences, and foster creativity. Learn how to pursue technology grants from finalists in the Time Warner Cable National Teachers' Award. Free media example giveaways! The Helendale School District team will share simple strategies that your school can use to incorporate technology into curriculum and culture. Learn tools to increase engagement, enhance communication and prepare students for 21st century citizenship.
Presenter(s):Brian Dietz (Helendale School District), Julie Herrmann (NEW Academy Canoga Park), Genein Jefferson (NEW Academy Canoga Park), Heather Lewis (Helendale School District), Shantali Nagenthiram (NEW Academy Canoga Park)
Location:Regency D, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Human Resources
Title:CA State Teachers Retirement Helps Navigate the 403(B) Industry
Strand:Human Resources
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:This session presents information on the new Internal Revenue Service regulations that went into effect Jan. 1, 2009. Employees who participate in 403(b) plans will learn about Assembly Bill 2506. This bill created a free online information bank that provides school employees with access to accurate and impartial information. Members will also be informed of their options in the 403(b) market.
Presenter(s):Patrick Bivins (California State Teachers' Retirement System), John Schiffler (California State Teachers' Retirement System)
Location:EH6, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Effective Teacher Retention and Recruitment
Strand:Human Resources
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Teaching Conditions Surveys have been used comprehensively in several states to inform policy makers and departments of education. Since 2007, Resources for Indispensable Schools and Educators has implemented the Teaching Conditions Survey to drive teacher retention and recruitment at Partner Schools. RISE facilitates a presentation for a principal and teacher leader to review survey results and determine action steps and how/what data to share with the entire teaching staff. The results are also made available to prospective teachers to provide transparency in recruitment.
Presenter(s):Jim Ahrens (RISE), Tamar Tamler (RISE)
Location:EH3, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Student and Employee Internet Use
Strand:Human Resources
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Parents, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Come discuss a topic increasingly relevant to, and problematic for, every school. What policies does your school need to control student and employee Internet use? Can schools discipline students and employees for on- and off-campus use of the Internet? Do schools have any responsibility to inform parents about information on students’ personal Web pages? What are MySpace and Facebook, anyway?
Presenter(s):Michael Blacher (Liebert Cassidy Whitmore), Donna Williamson (Liebert Cassidy Whitmore)
Location:EH4, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Technology Solutions for HR and Compliance Reporting
Strand:Human Resources
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Business Managers, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This session will focus on best practices and solutions for better managing HR and more efficiently doing compliance reporting. It draws from our work with several California charter schools including High Tech High and Camino Nuevo Charter Academy. We will incorporate PowerPoint presentations, online demonstrations, and useful printed materials. Presenters will answer audience questions on their specific compliance and technology issues that will help the audience take useful solutions and ideas back to their schools.
Presenter(s):William Arguello (Helios Tech), Yash Sharma (Helios Tech), Sharlene Tipeni (Helios Tech, Compton Unified School District)
Location:EH5, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Budget/Finance
Title:Case Study: The Rocketship Operations Toolkit
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Rocketship will demonstrate its Operations Toolkit, a system for tracking and managing the multitude of operational tasks that we all face to ensure health and safety, provide reports on time, and a billion other little things. The Toolkit starts with a monthly calendar (attendees will receive a copy) of everything we do every month and has links to resources, training and management reports that help us make operations as simple as possible.
Presenter(s):Cat Alexander (Rocketship Education), John Danner (Rocketship Education)
Location:EH7, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Fundraising Ideas in a Difficult Economy
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Palisades Charter High School has embarked on three major capital campaigns in the last three years requiring funding in excess of $6 million. Learn how PCHS has navigated the various funding sources to enable our school to meet its capital needs.
Presenter(s):Amy Held (Palisades Charter High School), Gregory Wood (Palisades Charter High School)
Location:EH2, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:How LVCS Went to the Brink of Closure and Came Back Strong
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:In 2007, Livermore Valley Charter School was one day from receiving a Notice of Cure. By August 2008, LVCS was financially healthy, growing and considered a model charter school. This session discusses how LVCS sank to near closure and how it was brought back to excellent health. Areas covered include finances, governance, human resources, dealing with outside agencies and parents, what went wrong, how it was resolved and how other charter schools can avoid the same pitfalls.
Presenter(s):Tara Aderman (Livermore Valley Charter School), Richard Swiers (Livermore Charter Learning Corporation)
Location:EH1, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Scaling-Up CMOs: Lessons from a National Study
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Charter management organizations have become a popular model for systemic educational change in the charter community. This network approach to charter schooling benefits from economies of scale, foundation support, and the passion and community connections of its founding leaders. During this session participants will learn how to navigate the scale-up process. Highlighted scale-up strategies and lessons learned come from data collected through interviews with 40 CMOs from across the nation that have confronted issues of scale-up and growth.
Presenter(s):Michelle Nayfack (Center on Educational Governance, University of Southern California), Lory Pilchik (Michael & Susan Dell Foundation), Joanna Smith (University of Southern California), Priscilla Wohlstetter (University of Southern California)
Location:Promenade B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Selling to the Charter School Market
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Is your business trying to reach the growing charter school market? In this workshop you will learn about the unique needs of charter schools and how best to position your business to create a mutually beneficial long-lasting relationship with a charter school. We will also discuss how the California Charter Schools Association's vendor membership program can assist you in reaching this market.
Presenter(s):Adam Miller (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:EH8, Long Beach Convention Center
EH8, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Facilities
Title:Designing for Student-Centered Learning
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:What would a school designed for student-centered learning look like? This session will explore the qualities of space, light, air quality, color, sustainability, community, engagement, governance, technology and others that contribute to an inspiring and safe authentic learning environment. Participants will be able to see examples of how some of these qualities have been used in other learning environments and how these qualities can be achieved in a variety of settings.
Presenter(s):Rob Nash (VITETTA Architects and Engineers)
Location:202A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Environments That Inspire Learning
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:How can the learning environment encourage and inspire students to excel? This session centers on the positive influence educational facilities can have as we share strategies for building schools that support learning while embodying the client’s foundational education philosophy. Learn a variety of planning strategies with special emphasis on effectively incorporating curriculum plans in new/modular buildings, store-front facilities, and commercial buildings, while creatively incorporating adjacent outdoor spaces for additional teaching opportunities.
Presenter(s):Gaylaird Christopher (Architecture for Education, Inc.), Richard Piercy (Lewis Center for Educational Research (LCER) Foundation)
Location:102B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Finding Financing in Difficult Markets
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Are good financing options still available for your school during these tough financial times? Some charter schools don’t know much about New Markets Tax Credits and tax exempt bonds and are nervous about asking questions. In this workshop, experts will walk you through both of these financing options, which may be able to provide low-cost capital for your facilities project. The basic terms and steps will be discussed with time set aside for questions. This workshop will include discussion of efforts to combine school bond financing for facilities with private financing. We will discuss the efforts and strategies with the Los Angeles Unified School District and use examples.
Presenter(s):Jennifer Afdahl Rice (NCB Capital Impact), John Buck (Buck Financial Advisors LLC), Anita Landecker (ExED)
Location:103B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Title:Proposition 39: Case Studies or War Stories From the Front Lines
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Proposition 39 provides charter schools with the right to occupy district-operated facilities, even if that might cause some disruption or dislocation of district schools and programs. But what does it take to enforce a charter's rights when a district fails to comply with its Proposition 39 duty? This presentation will examine one or more case studies in-depth at each step of the Proposition 39 process and will explore varying outcomes.
Presenter(s):John Lemmo (Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP)
Location:Promenade C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Safety
Title:Effective Facilities Management Reduces Risk Management Costs
Strand:Safety
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Learn about the hazards that can occur on charter school campuses, particularly those that are so routine we pass them by each day unaware that they are hazards to our staff and students! The presenters will explore various ways to identify these hazards, how to deal with them, and how to prevent them from happening again.
Presenter(s):Dave Morris (California Charter Schools Association JPA), Meg Palisoc (Synergy Charter Academy), Jess Rivas (ICEF Public Schools)
Location:101A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Governance
Title:Finance 101 for Charter School Board Members
Strand:Governance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Don’t be surprised. Know what questions to ask when reviewing your school’s financial position. You are the ones ultimately responsible if the school is financially mismanaged. Learn what you should expect from a business manager/back office provider. This interactive session will provide you with unique facts about school finance and skills, building on how to identify potential problems. Participants will gain hands-on learning through group discussion and the review of sample school financial statements.
Presenter(s):Tammy Stanton (ExED), John Vargas (ExED), Luis Viramontes (ExED)
Location:202C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Advocacy
Title:Capital Update: What's New, What's Ahead and What's on Your Mind?
Strand:Advocacy
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Non-Classroom Based
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This session will provide an update on advocacy efforts in Sacramento with information about the current legislative session, state budget, recent and upcoming regulatory proposals and election issues that impact California charter schools.
Presenter(s):Rebecca Chamow (California Charter Schools Association), Branche Jones (California Charter Schools Association), Rand Martin (GCG Rose & Kindel), Colin Miller (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:101B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Community Partnerships
Title:ICEF Public Schools and Teach For America: Partnership for Student Achievement
Strand:Community Partnerships
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:A challenge inherent in any partnership is ensuring that all parties are aligned in outcomes and objectives. This session will discuss the partnership that ICEF Public Schools formed with Teach For America to ensure that:
• The Charter Management Organization has the talent and leadership it needs to sustain and grow schools focused on increasing student achievement.
• TFA is able to maximize its impact on student achievement in the short- and long-term.
Presenter(s):Kate Farrar (Teach for America * Los Angeles), Robert Schwartz (Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) Public Schools)
Location:103A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Marketing/Public Awareness
Title:Marketing Tools For Success: Marketing to Increase Enrollment
Strand:Marketing/Public Awareness
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Finding time to market your school can be challenging. There are, however, some simple tips and tools charter schools can use to improve marketing to increase their school enrollment. This session will explore tools from the Charter School Marketing Toolkit (you will get an advance copy of the new desk-reference toolkit) and real experiences from charter schools.
Presenter(s):Julie Cruit Angilly (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:202B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Independent Study
Title:What Does a Chaser Do? Chases Students
Strand:Independent Study
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Learning Works! services at-risk students in grades 9-12 including dropouts, probation youth, and pregnant/teen moms by assigning students both a teacher and a "Chaser" -- staff aged 20-25 who grew up in similar conditions as the student, and dropped out before completing school or experienced the juvenile delinquency system. Chasers locate dropouts, enroll them, and chase them to stay in school, serving to connect the student’s conditions and need for school.
Presenter(s):Dominick Correy (Learning Works Charter School), Carlos Cruz (Learning Works Charter School), Mikala Rahn (Learning Works Charter School)
Location:203A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

3:45 pm–5:15 pm - Breakout Sessions

Teachers as Leaders
Title:Cultivating Teacher Leadership to Increase Student Achievement
Strand:Teachers as Leaders
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Using Mike Schmoker’s "Results Now" as the impetus for change, we’ll examine how teams of teachers and innovative student scheduling work in tandem to increase student achievement and productive citizenship. You'll walk away with concrete ideas to work smarter, not harder, by targeting key standards, creating common assignments, reflecting on data, revising practice and improving teacher instruction. By increasing quality teacher instruction, we increase student performance. Additionally, we'll examine a productive role for administration in the teacher-driven leadership model.
Presenter(s):Celia Ashley (Granada Hills Charter High School), Christina Hoppe (Granada Hills Charter High School), Reena Mistry (Granada Hills Charter High School)
Location:Regency B, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Math
Title:Teaching Mathematics as a Language
Strand:Math
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Parents
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Language is the key to education - regardless of subject matter. This workshop will clearly demonstrate the syntax and structure of mathematical language. First, learn the definitions of the five parts of mathematical speech. Then see how to build the four types of mathematical expressions. Finally, discover how easy it is to translate between mathematics and English, improving the teaching and understanding of story problems.
Presenter(s):Thomas Clark (VideoText Interactive)
Location:201A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
English Learners
Title:Increasing Student Achievement With ELLs and Struggling Students
Strand:English Learners
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This session focuses on best practices for teaching literacy to English learners and struggling students through methods that incorporate multiple intelligences and provide differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of students. When instructional methods match the dominant ways students learn, they can become more successful academically. The rationale is presented for how multiple intelligences can assist students’ literacy development and can provide instructional strategies that increase quality education at any charter school.
Presenter(s):Sue Teele (University of California, Riverside)
Location:Regency F, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Special Education
Title:Well-Written IEPs That Support Students to Increase Achievement
Strand:Special Education
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This session will focus on how to determine and develop levels of support, services, and programs that fit the charter model and effectively serve students. Attendees will learn the key components to having compliant Individualized Education Plans that are based on standards and deliver appropriate services that lead to increased student achievement. Attendees will also get information to help build partnerships with local Special Education Local Planning Areas to create a comprehensive program that meets the needs of students with special needs.
Presenter(s):Bob Farran (Southwest Special Education Local Plan Area), Sydney Quon (Southwest Special Education Local Plan Area)
Location:103C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Instructional Leadership
Title:Schoolwide Implementation of Instructional Practices
Strand:Instructional Leadership
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Would you like to learn how to successfully implement effective instructional practices schoolwide? As a follow-up to the fall issue of Educator Insight, contributors to the newsletter will provide concrete examples and tools to show how schools can use common practices to increase student achievement. There will be opportunities to ask questions and share insights on progress and challenges in this work.
Presenter(s):Valerie Braimah (Insight Education Group, Inc.), Michael Moody (Insight Education Group, Inc.), Jason Stricker (Insight Education Group, Inc.)
Location:Regency A, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Assessment Systems & Accountability
Title:900 API or Bust II: The Wilder Model for K-8 Children of Color
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:"900 API or Bust II" is a continuation from last year’s session. Wilder's Preparatory Academy’s inner city K-8 mostly African-American students have maintained Academic Performance Index scores well above 800. In 2008, WPACS presented the first of a two-part program demonstrating that African-American children can achieve. This will follow up on progress toward reaching the API goal of 900. Best practices leading to API growth that have proven to be successful will be shared with participants.
Presenter(s):Dr. Brenda Manuel (112 Elementary School (Los Angeles Unified School District)), Lisa Square (Wilders Preparatory Academy Charter School), George Taylor (Wilder's Preparatory Academy Charter School), Dr. Carolyn Wilder (Wilders Preparatory Academy Charter School)
Location:Regency E, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Classroom Walk-Throughs: Link Learning and Professional Practice
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This interactive workshop provides educators with practical experience in using a protocol to observe students at work in their classrooms and debriefing their observations in order to identify patterns of successful learning. Through professional inquiry based on educators' questions and curiosity about student learning, this non-evaluative, non-judgmental protocol uncovers meaningful data about student learning and ties it to effective instructional practice at the school site.
Presenter(s):Bobby Blatt (UCLA School Management Program), Janet Howard (UCLA School Management Program), Jeanie Riddell (UCLA School Management Program)
Location:201B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Successful Renewal in Challenging Times
Strand:Assessment Systems & Accountability
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Rapidly shrinking state revenue and widespread declining enrollment create hostile authorizing environments as cash-starved districts look to boost average daily attendance. Charter schools should expect severe scrutiny of their renewal petition and must unequivocally demonstrate the power of their programs. This session is designed to help schools make the case for renewal by focusing on student achievement. We will discuss ways to present student data that illustrates the undeniable impact your program has on the community you serve.
Presenter(s):Sally Bachofer (National Association of Charter School Authorizers), Chase Davenport (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:102B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Supporting Struggling Students
Title:Charter School Students Making the ROP Connection in Your District
Strand:Supporting Struggling Students
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Yes, your charter school students are eligible to enroll in career technical education courses offered by your local Regional Occupational Program! Attend this session and learn how to connect with your local ROP by getting contact information, learning about programs offered, and learning how to enroll your students. At 49er ROP we love our charter school students and have developed an outreach plan that will be shared with everyone who attends.
Presenter(s):Randi Scott (Placer County Office of Education/Regional Occupational Program)
Location:EH6, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Crisis, Grief, and Loss: How to Help Your Students Through It
Strand:Supporting Struggling Students
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Thirty to 100 percent of our students are experiencing violence, disaster, loss and change. When students are involved in grief, helping adults must change their approach to teaching. This teaches many valuable life lessons:
• crises are part of everyone's life;
• everyone, at times, needs help; and
• crises, although traumatic, are not an excuse for failure

Discover the grieving process, age-typical reactions, how grief affects learning and principles for helping.

Presenter(s):Sharon Lockett (SCORE and Home Sweet Homework)
Location:EH7, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Supporting a Diverse Population in a College Preparatory School
Strand:Supporting Struggling Students
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Developers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Supporting struggling students can be an overwhelming task, especially when the needs of students are diverse and multi-layered. However, it is possible to do this very successfully when systems and philosophies are interwoven into the school structure and culture. This session will focus on specific support structures such as mentor groups, mandatory after-school study hall, a revision and redemption philosophy and student interventions, as well as creating a culture that inherently supports all students.
Presenter(s):Kelly Garcia (Summit Preparatory Charter High School)
Location:EH8, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Curriculum & Instruction
Title:A Look Back at Designing Units of Study in American History
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:A consortium of Los Angeles charter schools has been utilizing knowledge gained through a Teaching American History Grant to develop K-12 American history units using Understanding by Design. The units have been refined over the past three years through Lesson Study, a collaborative professional development process for refining teacher-designed lessons. All participants will receive access to the standards-based units. The schools participating in this consortium are: Los Angeles Leadership Academy, Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise, New Heights and Camino Nuevo.
Presenter(s):Amy Berfield (New Heights Charter School), Ryan Goins (Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise), Marissa Hutter (New Heights Charter School), Phyllis Rosen (Los Angeles Leadership Academy)
Location:102C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:C-SPAN Classroom Resources
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Table Talk
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Description:During this session geared towards middle and high school teachers, a C-SPAN representative will demonstrate and showcase free resources available to teachers, including the C-SPAN Classroom website and its downloadable videos, C-SPAN’s video library and the StudentCam competition. C-SPAN Classroom (www.c-spanclassroom.org) is a FREE membership service offering information and resources to assist educators, and specifically social studies teachers, in their use of C-SPAN's primary source, public affairs video. C-SPAN Classroom offers current, relevant standards-based video clips organized under several topic headings.
Presenter(s):Jeremy Art (C-SPAN)
Location:EH4, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Differentiating Instruction (Whole Class): Tiering Your Curriculum
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This highly effective form of instruction will motivate student learning using a collection of strategies that increase success in academically diverse classrooms. This workshop will show how to conduct whole-class daily instruction producing levelized product using the "Four Windows of Opportunity."
Presenter(s):Christie Louis (Whitmore Charter School of Technology and Fine Arts (Ceres Unified School District))
Location:EH1, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:How to Start a Preschool Program Operated by a Charter School
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Studies have shown that attending preschool is an effective way for children to build a solid academic foundation and develop the skills needed for success in both school and life. However, funding for such programs is scarce, as preschool lies outside the traditional scope of K-12 education. This presentation explores different models for establishing and funding an ongoing preschool program, and features best practices from seven California charter schools.
Presenter(s):Carlyn Obringer (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:EH3, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Mini Meteorologists
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Table Talk
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Parents
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Each class has built a weather station including a thermometer, rain gauge, anemometer, and wind vane. We have mailed a student-created weather station to classes in Michigan, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Arcadia, CA. Each class will be collecting and recording data from Oct. 17 to Nov. 30. We will then compare the data and discover how weather is different in various parts of our country. Students learn how to use weather tools, take accurate measurements and create graphs to track change.
Presenter(s):Erin Donelson (NEW Academy Canoga Park), Travis Forbes (NEW Academy Canoga Park), Molly Oglesby (NEW Academy Canoga Park), Jimena Rodriguez (NEW Academy Canoga Park)
Location:EH5, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Preparing Students for Life After High School
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Today’s graduates have a variety of choices beyond high school. This session explores the methods and requirements set forth by Millennium High School to ensure that their students are prepared for what lies ahead. They will share everything from the various paths students take during high school to the extensive community service and career education programs available. Learn how you can meet the needs of all your students regardless of post-high school plans.
Presenter(s):Warren Snell (Tracy Learning Center), Virginia Stewart (Tracy Learning Center)
Location:Regency C, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Reaching the Reluctant Writer
Strand:Curriculum & Instruction
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Non-Classroom Based
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:By providing a practical methodology for teaching, reaching and motivating reluctant writers, this workshop will give educators tools for immediate classroom use. By separating the complex process of writing into small, manageable steps and teaching structure and style techniques, even the most reluctant students will acquire levels of proficiency needed to write complete and focused compositions. With classroom-proven methods, teachers can confidently reach their writers, impart life-long composition skills, and achieve California Writing Standards.
Presenter(s):Sharon Ashford (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Location:Regency D, Hyatt Regency
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Human Resources
Title:Avoiding Personnel Landmines: Hiring, Firing and Evaluating Staff
Strand:Human Resources
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Unfortunately, employment liabilities (many of which are preventable) end up costing charter schools invaluable time and enormous resources to defend. Take charge of your personnel system and prevent problems before they occur or escalate. Learn from expert legal practitioners how to best hire, fire and evaluate charter school staff to minimize exposure to legal liability for preventable mistakes. All schools, from start-ups to seasoned charter schools, will benefit from this presentation.
Presenter(s):Chastin Pierman (Law Offices of Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP), James Young (Law Offices of Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP)
Location:202A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Budget/Finance
Title:Assessing the Fiscal Health of Charter Schools: A New Toolkit
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Business Managers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:This training will address the primary factors that impact the fiscal health of charter schools. The core of the session will focus on a financial planning toolkit, which includes a "map" of the most significant elements that affect a school's fiscal health and how they relate to each other, a checklist that covers the most critical elements necessary for an effective financial management system, and key indicators that can be used to assess the fiscal health of a school.
Presenter(s):Jarle Crocker (National Resource Center on Charter School Finance and Governance), Eric Keller (National Resource Center)
Location:101B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Controlling School Spending
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Business Managers, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Walter Wallace from Granada Hills Charter High School and Tammy Stanton from ExED, a well-known charter management organization, will discuss business office procedures and internal controls designed to ensure adequate control over school spending and improve your financial relationship with your staff, board, and community. You will leave this session with the knowledge to set up a paper trail that will make your auditors smile!
Presenter(s):Tammy Stanton (ExED), Walter Wallace (Granada Hills Charter High School)
Location:103A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Seeking Private Funding in Harsh Economic Times
Strand:Budget/Finance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Charter school leaders will leave this session with strategies to cut costs and maximize public funding in the midst of funding cut-backs and delays. Charter school fundraisers will learn how to build a viable fundraising program, manage expectations for fundraising at the board-level, and partner with other community organizations to share resources and seek funding. The presentation will also provide an overview of philanthropic trends during times of economic crisis and insight from the executive director of a major family foundation about how funders are responding in 2009.
Presenter(s):Jeanne Goldsmith (Solomon Goldsmith Consulting), Amy Held (Palisades Charter High School), Pam Solomon (Solomon Goldsmith Consulting), Trent Stamp (The Eisner Foundation), Gregory Wood (Palisades Charter High School)
Location:103B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Facilities
Title:Greening Your School: Construction, Renovations and Financing
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:This session will share guidelines on constructing, renovating and financing green buildings. We will focus on the rationale for green charter schools, from kindergarten through high school, providing an economic, environmental and social analysis of costs and benefits. The discussion will also include financing options, case studies, and applied standards and tools to encourage innovative ways to create and finance cost-effective, high performance, energy efficient charter schools.
Presenter(s):Jennifer Afdahl Rice (NCB Capital Impact), Charles Eley (The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)), Rachel Gutter (US Green Building Council)
Location:Promenade C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:How to Acquire Facilities Under Proposition 39
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Charter schools are entitled to reasonably equivalent facilities from their district. Districts must treat charter and non-charter school students equitably in the allocation of facilities. We help schools determine what they are entitled to under Proposition 39 and the new State Board of Education regulations and how to negotiate the law's gray areas. If you are a charter school developer or an operating charter school, you can benefit from this workshop – whether conversion or start-up, whether already in a district facility or not. Be prepared to respond to the district's facilities use agreement and understand all the legalese. We provide tips for negotiating an agreement that protects the charter school's rights. Learn to negotiate shared-use agreements, reduce the pro rata share and oversight charge and leverage the best agreement possible for your school.
Presenter(s):Paul Minney (Middleton, Young & Minney, LLP)
Location:Promenade B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Navigating a Charter School Through a Tax-Exempt Bond Financing
Strand:Facilities
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:This presentation will cover the basics of tax-exempt bond financing of facilities including the elements of a bond financing and the roles of bondholders, underwriters, issuers and charter schools. Learn ways that charter schools can successfully meet the challenges of changing financial markets in the United States; what matters to bond investors when deciding if a charter school is a good investment; and what to do now to prepare a charter school for a tax-exempt bond financing.
Presenter(s):Brian Kelso (Wachovia Bank, N.A.), Mary Norvell (Procopio Cory Hargreaves & Savitch), Jeffrey Peelen (Quarles & Brady LLP)
Location:Promenade A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Safety
Title:Cutting Costs and Risks: Contracts, Waivers, Releases and Insurance
Strand:Safety
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Our panel of attorneys and insurance professionals will give you practical examples of what protections to ask for from common types of vendors and contractors, when waivers and releases will work for school activities, and how to decide what insurance you need. Bring your contracts and forms to share and for our panel to analyze on the spot.
Presenter(s):Gregory Moser (Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP), Cindy Wilkerson (California Charter Schools Association)
Location:101A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Improving Emergency Preparedness in Charter Schools
Strand:Safety
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Parents, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:The California Charter Schools Association's Oakland Charter School Collaborative has been working with Oakland's 34 schools to increase emergency preparedness and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. The collaborative is also implementing a federal Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools grant covering 24 Oakland and one Alameda school. Come learn how to be eligible for state and federal assistance in an emergency and how you could apply for a federal grant for your area's charter schools.
Presenter(s):Peter Hanley (California Charter Schools Association), JoAnn Koplin (TFO Architecture), Lance Tsang (ARC Associates)
Location:102A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Governance
Title:Founder's Syndrome: Transitioning From Start-Up to a Long-Term Board
Strand:Governance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Veterans, Board Members, Business Managers, Non-Classroom Based
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:After the long struggle to open a charter school finally ends with success, exhausted school founders sometimes decide that it is time to move on. This can be a huge transition for a new school and is known as founder's syndrome. In this session, we will focus on how schools can plan for the transition from a founder's board to a long-term board that can move your school toward sustainability.
Presenter(s):Cathy Dean (Gateway High School), Gale Mondry (Gateway High School), Sharon Olken (Gateway High School), Laura Spivy (Gateway High School)
Location:204, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Title:Taking Charge of Change: Successful Strategic Planning
Strand:Governance
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Business Managers, Developers
Levels:201 (Schools/Teachers)
Description:Strategic planning can be an invaluable process for your charter school to create focus, improve teamwork, establish clear priorities, and attract financial and other resources to your organization. This session will share a proven process which can be tailored for your organization, and also share lessons learned from charter school leaders.
Presenter(s):Marcia Aaron (KIPP LA Schools), Jayna Gaskell (EdTec Inc.), Diane Helfrey (EdTec Inc.), Kennedy Hilario (Environmental Charter High School)
Location:202C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Community Partnerships
Title:How to Create Parent Leaders to Accelerate Student Achievement
Strand:Community Partnerships
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Developers, Parents, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Empowering parents to support their children’s success in school helps both children and parents. Parents become invested and responsible for how their children and the school perform. This culture of involvement becomes contagious as they share with friends and neighbors what a great place for learning they’ve discovered. This workshop shows you how one inner-city charter school made a big difference for parents and children, and how you can do the same at your school.
Presenter(s):Elizabeth Morgan (St. Hope Public Schools), Dr. Joni Samples (EdSuccess)
Location:203B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Marketing/Public Awareness
Title:Maximizing New Media to Expand Your School Brand
Strand:Marketing/Public Awareness
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, General Education/Community Stakeholders, Administrative Assistants/Support Staff
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:Facebook, YouTube, MySpace…Twitter? Everyone wants you to embrace social platforms to reach your students, parents and communities, but you don’t know how or when to use them or whether they’re truly safe. In this hands-on workshop, a new media professional and college access advocate walks you step-by-step through creating an easy, effective online presence to develop and enhance your brand and to engage all those you serve in a 24/7 community.
Presenter(s):Donna Michelle Anderson (The CLIC Network)
Location:202B, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Independent Study
Title:Building a Career, Community-Based, Service-Learning Charter School
Strand:Independent Study
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Board Members, Parents, Non-Classroom Based, General Education/Community Stakeholders
Levels:301 (Veteran Leaders)
Description:Learn about building a career/technical, community-based, service-learning charter school through a dynamic asset-based, student leadership and academic enhancement approach specially designed for "marginalized" or "at-risk" youth populations.
Presenter(s):Doug Krieger (Sacramento Academic Vocational Academy), Michael OLeary (Sacramento Academic Vocational Academy)
Location:203A, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Developers
Title:Culture Before Curriculum: Building a New School Community
Strand:Developers
Type:Breakout
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Audiences:Teachers, Administrators, Teachers/Administrators, Developers
Levels:101 (Developers)
Description:In all the talk about "best practices," there is often scant attention paid to the most critical element of new school launch: developing a strong, focused school culture. In this presentation, an executive director, a founding principal, and a grass-roots community organizer discuss their roles in the design, implementation, and—perhaps most importantly—the evaluation of the success of the culture at the ACE Charter School, which opened August 2008 in San Jose.
Presenter(s):Greg Lippman (ACE Public Schools), Marie Moore (People Acting in Community Together), Vanessa Sifuentes (ACE Charter School)
Location:203C, Long Beach Convention Center
Time:Wednesday 3/11 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM

5:15 pm - Happy Hour in Exhibitor Area