Join us to reimagine civic education! Ignite the Spark of Civic Engagement! Connect with educators, community leaders, and experts to explore innovative approaches to Civic Education. Share best practices on how to navigate difficult conversations, develop strategies, and foster active citizenship in our youth. Together, we'll forge partnerships, amplify student voices, and create a more engaged community.

How can schools collaborate with families and communities to co- design learning environments that reflect their unique values and needs? This meet-up focuses on community-driven innovation, sharing insights into how educators can build authentic partnerships with stakeholders. Participants will leave with practical tools to incorporate community voice into their school design processes and examples of successful initiatives.

Are you part of a non classroom based charter school? Come meet and mingle with fellow NCB school staff. We will have a variety of conversation starters available to jump start your chats. You will also have time to connect with fellow NCB staff in various department groups to exchange contact information for further collaboration. These department areas will include: elementary and secondary education, leadership, enrollment, marketing, community partners, CTE and more!

A supportive space for disaster-impacted charter school leaders and their peers who want to lend support. This session offers an opportunity to share experiences, connect with others facing similar challenges, and explore strategies for recovery and resilience. Join us to find encouragement, exchange ideas, and rebuild strength together as a compassionate and understanding community.

Are you attending the CCSA Conference for the very first time? This is a perfect opportunity to meet others who you can share your conference experience with! Stop by to connect, share what you’re looking forward to, and to gather some advice on how to make the most of your time.

The Tuesday Exhibit Hall Lunch provides a great opportunity to network with colleagues and enjoy all that the exhibit hall has to offer! Visit exhibitors to learn how they can serve the unique needs of your school and stop by the CCSA booth to learn more about the important work of the Association. Meet and network with other attendees all while enjoying lunch!

Author Talk12:40-12:55pm (Exhibit Hall Stage), followed by book signing 1-1:30pm (Exhibit Hall Bookstore) In Love to Learn, Hau delves into the urgent need to elevate relational intelligence in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Hau explores how nurturing connections foster healthy brain development, resilience, and lifelong flourishing. Love to Learn presents a bold vision for the future, where learning is deeply relational and love is recognized as a vital literacy. Hau hopes to inspire readers to reimagine and prioritize relationships, both in education and in life.

Author Talk 1:05-1:20pm (Exhibit Hall Stage), followed by book signing 1:25-1:55 (Exhibit Hall Bookstore) Shawn Brown is the author of The Purpose Driven School. In this author talk, Brown will motivate and empower educators to rediscover and embrace their core purpose in education. It emphasizes the profound impact educators have on shaping the future and encourages educators to remain resilient in the face of challenges, reminding them that their work is a calling with far-reaching significance for both the students and society as a whole.

Keeping kids safe is a top objective of every charter school. And, safe kids have well planned leaders who are proactive, rehearsed, and ready to take action in the event of any safety concern. At the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the following: Physical Security, Cyber Security, Social Emotional Learning, Prevention Join this interactive and informative session to discuss school safety from the lens of two former school and district administrators to share solutions to keep students safe!

Are you one of America’s Healthiest Schools? Healthier Generation honors schools for the key role they play in advancing the health and well-being of students, staff, and families. Hear from El Sol Academy about their reflective journey from applying to celebrating receiving 8 topic awards. Dive into the Thriving Schools Integrated Assessment and learn how to verify the implementation of evidence-based practices that support physical, mental, and social-emotional health. This prestigious recognition is promoted nationwide through media and local community efforts. Learn how you can be recognized!

This workshop is an advanced course for charter board members and others who want to engage deeply around really difficult board strategy issues: succession, growth/replication, school closure, difficult personalities, and crisis management. Come if you are dealing with these issues, have a "friend" who is, or want to be ready in case you need to deal with them in the future (which you likely will). Thank you for serving on a charter school board! It can be one of the toughest jobs out there for the lowest salary.

This session is about successfully negotiating for school facilities, whether you’re dealing with a private landlord or school district. Our panel of two multi-school operators and a lawyer will share strategies and lessons learned from years of experience in applying for and negotiating under Proposition 39, including complicated co-locations, as well as facilities use agreements, in-lieu agreements, licenses and private leases. Our panel will share challenges and success stories from the negotiation table, and open the floor for you to share in a collaborative setting.

Join CCSA's annual Capitol Update session to learn about the most recent happenings within the California State Legislature, the Governor's Office, and the State Board of Education. Come to learn updates on important new policy, critical legislation, the state budget process, regulatory items, and the politics of the day.

For experts and beginners alike, this session will tackle myriad issues in charter teacher credentialing. We'll discuss how and when to use emergency permits and waivers, as well as local assignment options (LAOs) to get classroom coverage. We'll cover recent changes in credentialing, including upcoming transitional kindergarten (TK) requirements effective August 1st. Attendees will gain an understanding of the teacher credential monitoring landscape, including CalSAAS, authorizer oversight, Assignment Monitoring Outcome (AMO) Reports on the Dashboard, and Williams List. The group will share creative practices for incentivizing and ensuring compliance.

Is your school's enrollment marketing strategy and website working as hard as you are? Stop by the Grow Schools Lounge for a live enrollment marketing and website audit. Chat with our experts on what’s working, what’s not, and how to optimize your online presence to attract and engage families. Whether you need fresh messaging, a website refresh, or better marketing alignment, we’ll help you leave with actionable takeaways to strengthen your school's communications and enrollment strategy.

This engaging workshop explores the critical intersection of Human Resources and legal compliance in charter schools. Featuring an employer defense attorney and a claims director as co-panelists, we’ll discuss legal defense strategies against employee lawsuits that can arise from common HR practices. Participants will gain practical insights to minimize liability and evaluate their current policies. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will implement best practices to safeguard against potential lawsuits. Equip your team with knowledge and confidence to navigate the legal landscape effectively!

How to identify and retain top teaching talent through performance evaluations and performance based pay. Review best practices in constructing teacher performance evaluations that align with the outcomes, actions and behaviors needed to lead schools to academic success. Then learn how to apply those evaluations to designing a sustainable performance based pay structure that allows you to design competitive compensation structures that ensure your best talent stays within your organization

No doubt, reporting requirements have increased, adding the need for staff to track what’s coming, strategize about how to collect what is needed and from whom, and manage it all on top of day-to-day responsibilities. Join in an overview of preparing a year of operations with Jeopardy-style questions throughout. We’ll include operations, data and business rules informed by decades of learnings from supporting your schools. You will walk away with a sample year-at-a-glance school operations planner and recommended strategies from presenters and each other.

Regardless of how much cash, or other assets you have on hand, learning how to invest public funds safely should be on your radar. Our team will review 2 case studies to illustrate how to problem solve challenges organic to investing and field specific questions about your schools.

Moderated by John Helgeson from East West Bank, our panel provides a wealth of charter school fund management: Noel Russell-Unterburger (CFO-Navigator Schools), James McGrath (Founder-IVA High), and Farhad Bahar (Partner – Buchalter).

Session Outcomes and Content

• Practical steps to investing public and non-public funds
• How to discuss investing with your board
• How to keep school funds safe
• Understand the risks of investing

Compliance Trends: Understand the most prevalent issues identified through compliance monitoring and how to address them. Best Practices: Gain insights into best practices for ensuring compliance and enhancing the IEP process. Proactive Strategies: Discover proactive strategies to stay ahead of compliance requirements and support student success.

This presentation will help schools put into practice the legal factors for determining least restrictive environment (LRE). We will discuss the range of potential appropriate educational settings, from general education, to inclusive models, to nonpublic schools. We’ll look at the steps in order for an individualized educational program (IEP) team to make the proper recommendations, what data should be considered, and LRE strategies for small schools and independent study programs. We will also discuss when to use alternative placements such as 45-day interim alternative educational settings and diagnostic placements.

Get ready for a primer on the most critical aspects of effectively navigating the employment relationship.  By reviewing many of the missteps YMC’s employment law experts have seen in over 30 years of supporting charter schools, attendees will learn the latest hiring, performance management, and separation strategies, which will minimize the risk of legal claims and promote a more harmonious workplace.       

MTSS emphasizes creating equitable learning environments that address disparities in academic and behavioral outcomes. What does this look like for the adults at our schools? Each staff is different, and each deserves an individualized professional development plan. How can each staff embody a school's mission? This presentation will describe how a school leader can guide each staff in aligning their daily actions, attitudes, and interactions with the core values and goals outlined in the mission statement.

Concerned about your charter renewal and seeking effective strategies to organize hundreds of dedicated families and staff members? In this session, Rocketship’s External Affairs team will share the proven tactics and systems that led to our success in mobilizing large-scale volunteer engagement for renewal efforts. Through this session, we will cover key strategies for driving turnout, mastering mass mobilization, and hearing firsthand from our Renewal Leads on what made their campaigns successful. Join us to get inspired and equipped for your own renewal journey!

Participants will learn to create mission-aligned marketing strategies that foster authentic connections within charter school communities. Through real-world case studies and a hands-on storytelling activity, attendees will develop marketing pitches based on genuine stories from their schools. Designed for charter school leaders and those responsible for marketing and community outreach, this session provides practical tools to enhance engagement and trust in your school's mission. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to implement mission-driven outreach that resonates deeply with their school communities.

In this session, we will focus on how the four pillars of the community schools strategy provide critical support to students experiencing homelessness, ensuring they have the resources and services needed to succeed academically and personally. We will discuss the role of teachers and practices for building strong partnerships with families, local organizations and social services to create a comprehensive support system for these students. Additionally, there will be dedicated time for networking, allowing practitioners to share strategies, insights, and experiences to strengthen their work in supporting students experiencing homelessness and fostering a more inclusive educational environment.

Numerous state agencies and officials have intensified efforts on charter fraud and financial mismanagement (e.g., State Controller, Legislative Analysts Office, and Charter School Authorizing Professionals Anti-Fraud Task Force.)  These agencies have recommended significant changes to prevent fraud and other financial crimes in charter schools.  This workshop will tell you what you need to know about their recommendations, pending legislation, and what changes you should make now to prevent any appearance of financial mismanagement or fraud in advance of potential changes to the law and audit processes.

In this session attendees will learn how to integrate qualitative and quantitative data to drive equity and improve student outcomes. Attendees will engage through case studies, and hands-on activities, exploring best practices and real-world examples from schools like Connecting Water Charter. Ideal for school administrators, data analysts, and education leaders, this session is designed for those responsible for data-driven decision-making and student success. Attendees will gain practical strategies to overcome data overload and limited resources, ensuring inclusive, equitable decisions that amplify student voices and enhance success.

With class and PAGA actions against charter schools increasing, wage and hour claims by employees can cost schools hundreds of thousands of dollars. Attendees will learn how to avoid costly mistakes and how to implement best practices to limit your school's liability. Experienced attorneys will guide you through the most likely areas of risk under California’s wage and hour laws and provide school administrators with the knowledge and best practices needed to limit risk of exposure to wage claims.

This presentation is for managers, talent professionals, and central office leaders, focused on retention strategies for K-12 school organizations. We'll dive into how to collect, analyze, and apply insights from data on staff engagement and job satisfaction to create a culture where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated to stay. Topics include gathering staff perspectives, addressing gaps in employee experience—especially those tied to personal identity—and building internal talent pipelines that foster growth. We'll also cover equitable pay practices that help attract and retain teachers effectively.

After three decades of providing comprehensive legal representation to the majority of California charter schools, Young, Minney & Corr, LLP has observed the most common and detrimental legal mistakes made by charter schools. Attendees will be presented with the top 10 legal mistakes and actionable advice to avoid these pitfalls. The discussion will include personnel, governance and corporate structures, facilities, audit issues, and student services, including special education. Understand the laws most commonly violated by charter schools.

Discover how UC Scout transforms educational offerings in this engaging session. UC Scout is a University of California program that provides over 65 A-G approved online courses and curricula, including over 25 AP® courses, for free to California public schools, including public charters. This session delves into effective strategies for integrating UC Scout’s curricula into charter school programs, enhancing student learning and academic achievement. Participants will explore the flexibility and alignment of UC Scout’s courses with California’s educational standards, and learn how UC Scout supports both teachers and students.

Join us for an engaging workshop tailored for school leaders and coaches focused on fostering inclusive, collaborative school environments. Gain practical strategies for co-teaching and building a supportive culture that benefits all students. You'll explore proven, practical tools for implementing school-wide systems that enhance student success, strengthen team collaboration, and create positive, inclusive learning spaces. Let’s work together to elevate your school’s approach to inclusion and improve outcomes for every learner.

This session equips administrators and educators with the skills to effectively address and resolve common conflicts. Participants will explore various conflict types, learn to identify early warning signs, and understand how human behavior impacts conflict escalation. They will gain practical strategies to de-escalate situations and promote effective communication among staff and students. By enhancing their conflict resolution skills, participants will foster a safer, more cooperative atmosphere in schools, contributing to long-term conflict management and a positive, collaborative learning environment.

Cyber threats are increasingly challenging and costly for charter schools. From phishing scams to data breaches, protecting student and staff information is more critical than ever, especially in a digital world dominated by artificial intelligence. This session will break down practical, real-world cybersecurity strategies that schools can implement right now. We’ll cover common risks, essential security protocols, and simple steps to build a culture of cyber awareness. Walk away with a clear action plan to strengthen your school’s digital defenses—because a secure school is a strong school.

Goal: Empower participants with statutory and practical implementation information about California’s new Alternative Pathway to a High School Diploma for Students Who are Eligible for the Alt Assessments. Expected Learning Outcomes: Review guiding legislation and statutory requirements for Alt Pathways. Provide resources to support site/IEP teams, and families in understanding and implementing the Alt Pathway for all eligible students. Learn which team members in districts, schools, and outside organizations are critical in planning and implementation.

This popular session provides charter schools the (long and growing!) list of policies your school needs to be legally compliant, including new legal requirements for 2025. All attendees will receive our annual session handout, which helps serve as a guide for school policy development and cross-checking. We’ll answer questions and point schools to resources where available. We’ll discuss best practices for school teams to develop new policies and keep them updated. The presentation also covers annual notices that charter schools must provide, and legal requirements for website postings.

In this session, panelists will provide specific steps that attendees can take to develop the confidence and skills necessary to deliver good—and timely—feedback to set a path for students, directing their attention to areas for growth and improvement, and connecting them with future learning opportunities. The discussion will also outline ways in which feedback can be used to get a more holistic data set on student learning, and attendees will be given opportunities to practice their newly developed skills with one another with the support of experts.

Join our deeply experienced team for a detailed, up-to-the-minute survey of the 100+ charter renewals we are actively advancing this year.  We will share the ups, downs, memoranda of understanding, and benchmarks of it all.  We will also analyze regional trends, political trends, and an overall scorecard.  This session will be essential for school teams seeking renewal in the coming years. Get ready for an interactive, tailored session, where your takeaways will be actionable information relevant to your school’s renewal.

For 2024-2029, the California Department of Education (CDE) Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) has been awarded a $93 million federal grant to support the planning and implementation of new charter schools, as well as the expansion and replication of high-quality charter schools. With plans to award up to 70 subgrants and increased funding awards of up to $1.9 million, come learn about how this new funding can support students with disabilities, English learners, socioeconomically disadvantaged students, and charter schools providing career technical education and fostering innovation. This session will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the program’s funding priorities, eligibility criteria, application process, and subgrant management requirements, along with actionable insights and strategies to help navigate the application and strengthen their chances of securing funding for school growth and impact.

La Lucha is a documentary that follows the journey of five students trying to survive in an environment stricken by poverty, crime, dismal resources and inadequate education opportunities. Despite facing obstacles that many of us cannot even imagine, they understand that graduating high school is their best chance to rise above their fate. Can changing the delivery method of education to a student – versus making the student fit in a one-size-fits-all box – really make the difference?

Learn from a seasoned Executive Director what they wish they would have known as they started their journey and how their Business Service Office is their partner for success. Dive into and set expectations for your monthly financial actuals and budgets as you prepare to meet with your board. Explore key items as a leader that should be evaluated and monitored for academic and financial health.

Explore the power of local advocacy in shaping policy for charter schools through engagement in local Political Action Committees (PACs). Led by Orange County charter leaders, this interactive discussion will show how active participation in your local PAC and other advocacy efforts can amplify your voice, influence legislation, and support the charter movement. Participants will gain strategies to strengthen advocacy, build relationships with key decision-makers, and mobilize communities for impactful change, leading to lasting outcomes for the future of school choice.

Meet the thoughtful and visionary leaders of Achieve Charter, Greater San Diego Academy, Fenton Charter Public Schools and River Charter Schools, who have guided their schools through change and growth guided by a clear vision for success. Join us to learn from their experiences developing and implementing a strategic plan, including: Knowing if you're ready, willing and able for strategic planning Key questions to ask yourself and your stakeholders Tools for building momentum and making change How to engage your community for a greater impact

The Charter School Facilities Program (CSFP) provides State funding for the rehabilitation of existing district owned facilities that are at least 15 years old and/or the construction of new facilities for charter school use. With the passage of Proposition 2, $600 million will be available for new applications. The Office of Public School Construction, California School Finance Authority, and California Department of Education will present information on CSFP eligibility, requirements and the application process. Charter schools that provide Classroom-Based Instruction and school districts are encouraged to attend.

A critical component of Discovery Schools is our Family Participation model. Come learn how we strive for 100% family involvement! When the entire community works together to support learning, children tend to perform better in school and develop stronger life skills. At Discovery, parents get to volunteer and be on campus! Our families actively contribute to the school community on a regular basis. We ensure that parents can volunteer in ways that reflect their skills, interests, and talents—while also considering their time and family commitments.

Reading is foundational for success in school and life. Yet many secondary students with disabilities struggle to read fluently, and secondary teachers often find it challenging to teach reading effectively. This session explores how California charter leaders at the forefront of this pivotal work nationwide are applying skills and knowledge drawn from the science of reading to improve outcomes for nonproficient secondary readers. Practitioners will share tips and tools developed by the Networked Improvement Community for Students with Disabilities to plan, implement, and monitor the effectiveness of secondary reading interventions.

Charter schools juggle unique liability risks—from facility safety and employee injuries to sexual harassment (including new laws related to training and childhood sexual assault), bullying, field trips, health protocols, and social media. There are proactive measures to safeguard against these threats. This session dives into top risk management challenges facing charters and equips you with essential tools to navigate them. Learn practical strategies for identifying and minimizing liabilities, and discover how to keep your operations safe and compliant. We will help protect your school against potential risks and liabilities.

In this session, school leaders and board members will learn essential strategies for ensuring continuity and success during leadership transitions. Key topics include building redundancy in academic and operational areas, aligning academic plans with authorizer expectations, and preparing for board succession. Emphasizing the importance of emergency and long-term planning, proactive leadership development, and clearly defined roles for executives, attendees will leave equipped with actionable steps for succession planning and programs that support aspiring administrators to future-proof their schools for sustainable growth.

The California Department of Education will provide updates on the English Language Development Professional Learning resources in Tools for Teachers, ELPAC Interim Assessments, and the California Spanish Assessment. In this presentation, you will learn new ways to support your multilingual students. Level: All Grade Level: Multiple Grade Levels Audiences: Charter School Leaders, Teachers, and Administrators CDE Presenters: • Traci Albee, Administrator, talbee@cde.ca.gov • Melanie Anvari, Education Programs Consultant, manvari@cde.ca.gov • Charissa Kirk, Education Programs Consultant ckirk@cde.ca.gov

Experienced charter school attorneys Greta Proctor and Wendy Tucker will discuss the important topics of the day. Join the conversation and get to know Greta and Wendy as they discuss current legal issues, problems and solutions, and answer your questions, unrehearsed.

Ready for a little magic? During this session, you will learn to be successful during the teacher shortage, streamline teacher credential tracking, and stay compliant with AB 2534. Come prepared to share your best practices to "be popular" and help your associates dance through life.

Elevate CAASPP and ELPAC score reporting with Video Student Score Reports (VSSRs)! These custom videos offer a deeper understanding of scores, keeping parents informed and engaged. An analytics dashboard provides insights into parent engagement, while customizable end-of-video links direct families to helpful resources. Available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese, with subtitles in Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, Russian, and Tagalog—all for just $1.50 per video. Enhance communication, support families, and track engagement with VSSRs today!

Learn how you can streamline your financial reporting and dashboards in Sage Intacct and quickly slice-and-dice data. We will also show you how budget managers can view the financial information they need to make data-driven decisions, while restricting access as needed. If you struggle with tracking conditional multi-year grants, join us as we demonstrate how Sage Intacct can efficiently provide grant reports.

Educators need reliable, actionable data to drive student growth and school improvement. This session explores how MAP Growth®, MAP Reading Fluency®, Professional Learning, and School Improvement services empower educators to make data-driven decisions that foster success. Learn how MAP Growth supports personalized learning, MAP Reading Fluency assesses early literacy efficiently, and Professional Learning & School Improvement services enhance instructional practices and leadership. Discover how these solutions work together to create equitable learning opportunities, drive continuous improvement, and maximize student achievement in every classroom.

What would it take to transform schools into spaces where equity, well-being, and intellectual growth thrive for all learners? Explore how communities across the nation are reimagining schools to create extraordinary learning environments for every student. This session, inspired by Transcend’s book, highlights the principles of community-based design and how schools can break away from industrial-era models. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights to initiate or deepen transformative design journeys in their own communities. Presented by Jaime Downs, Partner, System Stakeholder Lead, Transcend Education