19th Annual California Charter Schools Conference
2012 Keynote Speakers
Q&A with Education Leaders in Sacramento during the Closing General Session
3/1/2012, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Hall D
CCSA is proud to host an engaging discussion on California K12 education with some of the most important education leaders in Sacramento. The roundtable will be moderated by John Fensterwald, Education Blogger and Editor and will include:
 |
 |
 |
 |
John Fensterwald
Education Blogger and Editor |
Mike Kirst
President, California State Board of Education |
Julia Brownley
California's 41st Assembly District & Assembly Education Committee Chair |
Tom Torlakson
State Superintendent of Public Education |
Attend the Closing General Session for this exciting education roundtable to hear the latest on charter school legislation, policy and have your questions answered during the Q&A.
2012 Centerpiece Session Speakers
2/28/12, 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Room 204, Strand: Specialty 
This panel discussion will explore the community-benefit schools concept unique breed of public charter school that understands the nexus between public education and community transformation. The panel will highlight the work of those few California public charter schools that have begun to use the charter model as a lever for broader community transformation in order to remove the various social and economic barriers that stand between a child and a high-quality education.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jeff Sands
California Charter Schools Association |
Carlyn Obringer
California Charter Schools Association |
Ana Ponce
Camino Nuevo Charter Schools |
Irene Sumida
Fenton Avenue Charter School |
Jean Driscoll
Vincent Academy |
Kate Nichol
Vincent Academy |
2/28/2012, 10:45-12:00 p.m., Room 205, Strand: Legal
Charter law in the area of student outreach and admissions is filled with complex and confusing statutory inconsistencies. Further, the admissions process, especially regarding the application of preferences and the administration of public random drawings, can be overwhelmingly daunting. This session will critically examine these admissions and outreach requirements and offer viable solutions for meeting your charter school's goals while maintaining a lawful process
 |
 |
Lisa Corr
Middleton, Young, and Minney, LLP |
Paul Minney
Middleton, Young, and Minney, LLP |
2/28/2012, 10:45-12:00 p.m., Room 312, Strand: Online Learning
Learn how to dream about, design and launch a blended learning program. The Alvo Institute founders, Rebecca Tomasini and Russ Ballati, who have supported Rocketship, Summit Public Schools and KIPP, and Alvo alum Jose Salas, Founding Principal of Grimmway Academy’s blended k-5 program, share experience, video case-studies, achievement data and interactive exercises to introduce participants to pre-design readiness, as well as critical design and implementation steps and tools, often overlooked, to launch blended programs.
 |
 |
Russ Ballati
The Alvo Institute
|
Rebecca Tomasini
The Alvo Institute
|
2/28/12, 2-3:15 p.m., 314, Strand: Facility Planning and Financing
There are numerous state and federal programs that provide funding opportunities for charter school facilities. This panel will provide advice and direction on specific programs directly from the agencies which administer them, including CDE, OPSC, SAB, and CSFA. The panel will also discuss the status of funding for each program and how schools can advocate for themselves when it comes to facilities.
 |
 |
 |
Katrina Johantgen
California School Finance Authority |
Kathleen Moore
California Department of Education |
Bill Savidge
State Allocation Board |
2/28/12, 2-3:15 p.m., Room 313, Strand: Teachers
How can schools ensure high expectations and academic rigor using Common Core or state standards without stifling the innovative nature of the teaching profession? In this highly engaging and interactive workshop, participants will learn about a process that empowers teachers and administrators to address this critical question. Participants will learn to use research-based strategies and resources -- Bloom's Taxonomy, a standards analysis process and the Common Core standards for developing authentic learning experiences in a standards-based system.
 |
 |
Jason Stricker
Insight Education Group, Inc. |
Michael Moody
Insight Education Group, Inc. |
2/28/12, 3:45-5:00 p.m., Room 307, Strand: Advocacy
Key charter school staff from the California Department of Education will be on hand to offer a face-to-face update of all CDE issues of importance to charter schools. What is the latest on the Public Charter School Grant Program, SB 740 Funding Determinations or Facility Grants, Charter School Revolving Loans or charter appeals? Come and meet the real person on the other end of those emails and hear first hand about the work CDE does to help support charter schools.
 |
Julie Baltazar
California Department of Education
|
2/28/2012, 3:45-5:00p.m., Room 307, Strand: Teachers
Did you know that nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT youth are harassed at school? The drop out rate for these youth are nearly 3 times the national average. Even more concerning is that LGBT youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide and make up nearly 40% of the homeless youth population. Come hear the most recent data and real stories from California schools as well as effective strategies and resources you can use to create needed change on your campus.
 |
Vincent Pompei
CESCaL
|
2/28/12, 3:45-5:00 p.m., Room: 316, Strand: Budget and Cashflow
A panel of charter school operators will share their ideas and strategies for dealing with the continued economic crisis. Strategies including re-negotiating contracts and salaries, reviewing federal funding opportunities, fundraising ideas, and sharing our cost saving plans.
 |
 |
 |
Alice Miller
California Charter Schools Association
|
Susan Powers
Achieve Charter School
|
Frances Teso
Voices College-Bound Language Academy
|
2/29/12, 2-3:15 p.m., Room 307, Strand: Advocacy
Sen. Romero (Ret.), along with representatives of Parent Revolution and Families That Can, will speak to the impressive organizing efforts of community members that stand for better schools for their children. As the author of the nation's first Parent Trigger law in California, Sen. Romero and others on the panel will explore the history of parent choices and rights as well as next steps on moving forward to close the achievement gap.
 |
Gloria Romero
Democrats for Education Reform - California
|
2/29/12, 2:00-3:15 p.m., Room 319, Strand: Budget and Cashflow
The state budget crisis has made an already difficult school revenue stream even more challenging. Participants will learn about the current apportionment schedule and how it compares to the timing of school expenses. School leaders will share their proven strategies to keep school cash flow positive. The session will also examine methods of acquiring financing to bridge gaps in cash flow, and provide a blueprint for how to evaluate the different options available.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Bryce Fleming
EdTec Inc. |
Karla Branch
R.A.A.M.P. Charter Academy
|
Brian Prater
Low Income Investment Fund
|
Dr. Nicolas Retana
Ezequiel Tafoya Alvarado Academy |
3/1/2012, 9-10:15 a.m. Room 307, Strand: Advocacy
The 2012 elections will impact California's policy environment for years to come. This will be the first election held after voter approved initiatives creating an independent redistricting commission and establishing an open primary. Current estimates are that half of the State Assembly could be new members. How will these new laws effect this year's elections? How will the presidential election impact races in California? What will the impact of ballot measure campaigns be?
 |
 |
 |
Dominic DiMare
DiMare, Van Vleck, and Brown |
Paul Mitchell
Redistricting Partners |
Matt Rexroad
Meridian Pacific, Inc. |
