FCSC

Conference Topic Suggestions

Is there a topic you think should be covered at the conference? Add it to the list below. This will help the Program committee make sure relevent presentations are selected for the conference.

Suggested Topics:

"Scale Scores", Misleading or Reality? - While many of the school do well with the scale scores which indicates school's general improvment, the school grade DOES NOT indicate such progress
Adding a second charter? - A quick overview of the process for an established school who may wish to start a second charter school. What steps are necessary, what details should be worked out? What legal insulation do the two schools need in order to separate their opertaions, if any? Will the second school be eligible for start up grants?
AYP Choice - Annual Yearly Progress and how it affects Charter Conversion Schools
Behavioral Support in the Classroom - WE would love to present this topic. Our school has 4 behavioral analysts who are excellent trainers for staff and parents. Our school is specifically for autistic children; however, our "positive behavior/ ABA" technics would work with any student. Princeton House Charter School. We also would be glad to train attendees on education ESE students, using the matrix to the fullest, working with families of children with disabilities.
Building a Facility - Strategies that work for establishing a permanent non-leased facility.
Business Philosopy for Success - Bay Haven Charter Academy has several key points that may interest the charter school industry. How did we build our school? How did we put $500,000 in the bank and also how do we carryover $700,000 each year? How can we offer Blue Cross Blue Shield for $1.00/month to employees? We will share the educational and operational business philosophies with you. We will share the powerful marketing tools we designed and you can do it too.
Charter Schools in Municipalities-Unique challenges - For those cities who've recently or will soon open a charter school, how to handle governance, finances including capital outlay, and control issues. How do cities effectively "grow into" having their own school(s)?
Classroom Management Techniques - Workshop to teach school staff techniques and skills to decode student behavior and develop a common language to use throughout the school to assist in managing difficult behaviors.
Dealing with difficult/struggling employees - What are the best ways to deal with teachers (or other employees) who are not meeting expectations? Best practices in terms of terminating an employee. How to guard against possible lawsuits from former employees.
District facility responsibility to Charter Conversion Schools - Maintenance Management Plans Pros and cons of district holding PECO funds. If all of a facility or some square footage of the facility has been designated as unsatisfactory square footage on the FISH report what help is there in maintaining these facilities? Does a district get capitol outlay funds for conversion charters and if they do what help can a conversion expect from the district?
Educating children with disabilities or special needs
Experiential/hands-on/service learning - Pedagogy that has students apply and practict what they need to learning through hands-on service to others brings aabout academic, social/behavioral, and civic benefits as well as develops real job skills.
Facilities Financing and Grants for Building Green
Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System Associate Centers - A statewide network (FLDRS) is a valuable resource for schools and parents prividng child find, technology and parent services as well as human resource development.
Funding
Fundraising - How to maximize fundraising projects and where to look for help
Governing board training requirements
Grant Writing
Helping children who have behavioral and attention issues in the classroom - One of the greatest challenges in schools today is handling children who have behavioral and attention issues in the classroom. Learning strategies for helping these children - most of whom tend to have sensory issues - can help teachers be more successful in the classroom.
How to maximize funding with the matrix - The matrix is the key funding document and yet many administrators, teachers and other school personnel do not know how to write an IEP to maximize matrix points and therefore funding. Many times schools are already providing a service they do not realize can qualify for funding.
Ins and Out of Financing - Beyond the FEFP funding, what other sources should charter schools be watching out for and trying to take part in? For example, are we eligible for E-rate funds, should we be eligible for local referendum money if the district has it, etc.
Insurances - What should charter schools be looking at for insurance options? Are there good options available for charter schools?
Legislative Update - Laws that were past during the previous legislative session that pertain to public schools in general and public charter schools in particular. Other laws that already have been regulating the industry but perhaps need to be reviewed. Also, a session forecasting the state economy during the next twelve to eighteen months and how this has and will impact public education and public charter school education.
Low and High Tech Assistive Technology
Maximizing E-rate funding for Charter Schools - 1. History & Summary of FCC-mandated E-rates to subsidize technology expenses. 2. How to plan technology for maximum E-rate funding. 3. Using early planning to get 5% to 10% E-rate funding for new construction and major remodeling projects 5. Using E-rate eligible technology to enhance educational outcomes. 4. Participants complete an initial E-rate form for 2009 E-rates during the workshop.
Providing (expensive) support services to ESE students - If a charter school were take on students who have higher needs, what options are available to assist in paying for those services. For example, we have a student who wants to apply who requires a full time interpreter. How do we pay for a full-time employee to support this one child? If it is economically infeasible to accept these children, are there ways to 'deny' admission?
Providing for Staff - how to provide quality healthcare and retirement on our limited budgets.
Replicating Successful Programs
Start with The Arts - a reading strategy program
Strategic planning - Getting the governance board to think strategically and develop a comprehensive strategic plan.
Understanding the struggles of families who have children with disabilities - Unless you have a child with a disability, it is hard to understand what the challenges are of families who have children with disabilities. Knowing the challenges that these families face can help staff be more empathetic and understanding.
What about the scale scores?! - Many other states take the scale scores more to the consideration that what is happening in Florida. Research wise it is a worth while cause to spend time and money on the subject.

July 23, 2008

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