This year’s California Charter Schools Conference will be like no other in its history: we’re going completely virtual!

As the premier networking event for charter school professionals at all levels, Conference aims to inspire academic excellence, operational integrity, and unity among charter schools throughout our state.

As our state—and the rest of the nation—continues to confront the realities of the pandemic, we are channeling the same creativity and flexibility that’s long been embedded in the charter school sector to host this timely and important event. Our hope is that this year’s Conference will provide charter school professionals with the additional tools and expertise needed to serve their students in an even more effective and equitable way.

While this Conference will be different, it will still feature all the elements that attendees have come to know and love. Here’s what you can expect this year:

Programming

Conference programming is made up of breakout sessions. These smaller, virtual gatherings will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about tailored topics from experts in the charter school sector. The topics fall into three broad categories:

Advocate: Sessions will improve charter school leader and board members’ understanding of current laws and regulations that govern charter schools, as well as best practices to steward the movement.

In the classroom: Sessions will provide teachers and instructional leaders strategies, knowledge, and best practices that result in academic excellence and help close the student achievement gap.

Operate: Sessions will support leaders in implementing structures for operational integrity while creating a positive school culture.

You can learn more about Conference programming and specific breakout sessions by going here.

General Sessions

At our general sessions, you’ll hear from inspiring speakers both within and outside the charter school sector. During our last Conference, we heard from our President and CEO Myrna Castrejón about standing up for charters. Check out a clip of that below:

During our general session, we will also honor 10 students with the Susan Steelman Bragato Scholarship, as well as volunteers, teachers, and schools in the charter school sector with the Hart Vision and Rachel Willis-Henry Awards.

Bragato Scholarships, named after Susan Steelman Bragato—the co-founder of the first charter school in Sacramento and the founder of the original organization that went on to become CCSA—honor 10 outstanding senior students of CCSA member schools with $2,000 scholarships.  

The Hart Vision and Rachel Willis-Henry Awards are respectively named after retired California State Senator and Secretary of Education Gary K. Hart, who introduced legislation establishing charter schools in our state, and our late staff member and parent advocate, Rachel Willis-Henry. The Hart Vision Awards honor those in the charter school community—educators and advocates-- who have worked tirelessly to advance CCSA’s mission of increasing student achievement by supporting and expanding high-quality charter public schools.

You can learn more about past Bragato scholarship winners here.

Watch the clip below of last year’s Hart Vision Teacher of the Year:

Virtual Exhibit Hall

In the virtual exhibit hall, attendees are able to connect with exhibitors offering a wide range of services to meet the many needs of the charter school sector, including instructional materials, facilities design, construction, financing, administrative, business, special education, and legal services. Exhibitors will also be available directly by text and during Solutions Hour, where they can present innovative fixes they’ve found to some of the most pressing challenges school’s currently face.

You can learn more about the virtual exhibit hall dates and times here. 

Want to attend the California Charter Schools Virtual Conference? Take advantage of the Early Bird registration period by January 13 and lock in our lowest remaining rate. Go here to register TODAY!

We look forward to seeing you—virtually—in March!