Charter School Tools is preparing for the upcoming 2015 National Charter School Conference on June 21 through June 24 in New Orleans. This conference is a great professional development opportunity to learn to become a more effective school operator or board member. Here are some recommended sessions:
Title: Rural Charter Schools - Unique Challenges, Unique Opportunities
Description: Rural charter schools occupy a unique place in their community and also face unique challenges, limited teacher talent supply, smaller school populations, low expectations for college matriculation, challenging relationships with school districts, and facility financing constraints. This panel of rural school operators in Louisiana will share their experiences in meeting these and other challenges as part of a peer-to-peer networking session.
Presentation Date, Time: 6/23/2015, 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM
Presenters: Joe Keeney - 4th Sector Solutions
Roy McCoy - Beekman Charter School
Linda Saucier - Slaughter Community Charter School
Title: Charters ARE the System: So What's Next?
Description: The charter-led transformation of New Orleans’ public education sector has resulted in unprecedented gains in student achievement. Yet, key issues remain to be addressed: governance, facilities, ensuring equity, and the role of entrepreneurs and the non-profit sector in supporting the work of schools.
Presentation Date, Time: 6/22/2015, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Presenters: Kathleen Padian Orleans Parish School Board
Doug Harris Tulane University, Education Research Alliance for New Orleans
Erika McConduit-Diggs Urban League of Greater New Orleans
Caroline Roemer Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools
Title: Common Mistakes Made in Negotiating a Charter School Management Agreement
Description: The charter management agreement is a document that shapes the future of the relationship between the school and CMO/EMO. Therefore, drafting and negotiating (or renegotiating) a management agreement is one of the most important exercises in which school leaders and board members will partake. This session will explore the most common mistakes made when schools and their CMOs/EMOs negotiate their charter management agreements and how to avoid these (sometimes costly) mistakes.
Presentation Date, Time: 6/23/2015, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Presenters: Cliff Schneider Cohen Schneider & O'Neill LLP
Lisa Holtzmuller Cohen Schneider & O'Neill LLP
Jonathan Rosenberg Hebrew Charter School Center
Title: Dropout Recovery: Matching Accountability Policy With Instructional Practice
Description: Must differentiated expectations be lowered expectations? Explore the nuances of applying rigorous accountability measures that are relevant to schools serving re-engaged dropouts. Panelists include leaders of nationally recognized dropout recovery schools who will discuss best practices in pedagogy and school structure including project based learning, competency, flexible schedules, and comprehensive support services. Discover why enlightened charter school authorizers have taken on the challenge of developing alternative accountability measures. Learn about Louisiana’s decision to develop and adopt an alternative accountability framework.
Presentation Date, Time: 6/22/2015, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Presenters: Ernie Silva SIATech
Linda Dawson SIATech Charter High Schools
Adam Hawf Grand Isle Group
Phil Matero YouthBuild Charter School of California
Nelson Smith National Association of Charter School Authorizers
Title: The Non-Profit Developer's Difference—Innovative Facility Solutions
Description: Our panel of experts will explore the role non-profit property developers play in providing facility solutions that save schools money, use public-private partnerships, tap into new sources of capital, and save schools time and effort. Participants will test their own projects in this session using our customized template.
Presentation Date, Time: 6/23/2015, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Presenters: Al Dubin Charter Schools Development Corporation
Lindsay Phillips Pacific Charter School Development
Faye Premer Civic Builders, Inc.
Mark Medema Building Hope
Here are some useful tools from the 2014 National Charter School Conference:
