2014 agenda

The 3rd Annual Alternative Accountability Policy Forum themes included implementing alternative accountability policies, community partnerships to support re-engagement, instructional strategies for at-promise students, and producing and using relevant data.

All meetings, meals, and receptions were held at the conference hotel, the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa. Learn more about the Location.

WestEd Report on AAPF 2014.

Thursday, November 13

Download Full Agenda

5:30–6:30 pm
Welcome Reception
Coronado Ballroom Foyer
Sponsored by Renaissance Learning

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

7:00 am, Coronado Ballroom Foyer
Registration Opens

7:30 am, Coronado Ballrooms C & D
Breakfast

8:00 am, Coronado Ballrooms C & D
Welcome: Dr. Linda Dawson, SIATech, Inc.

Keynote Speaker: Thomas A. Saenz, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
Thomas A. Saenz is the president and general counsel of MALDEF, where he leads the civil rights organization's five offices in pursuing litigation, policy advocacy, and community education to promote the civil rights of Latinos living in the United States.  Saenz spent four years on Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's executive team as Counsel to the Mayor where he helped to lead the legislative effort to change the governance of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).  Mr. Saenz continues to be an active advocate for English Language Learners, Latinos, low-income students, and all other at-promise students. His vision and experience as the president of MALDEF and as the vice president of the LACOE Board of Education will bring insights and enthusiasm to this event and encourage attendees to continue their advocacy on behalf of their students and programs.

9:15 - 10:35 am
Breakout Sessions

Don't Call Them Dropouts!
Presenters: Craig McClay and Jon Zaff
Room: Coronado Ballroom C
Learn what the most recent research says about student abilities to overcome a multiplicity of toxic factors and how relationships can help students to break through barriers to school reengagement. This session repeats on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

New Options and Opportunities Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Presenters: Melanie Anderson, Kisha Bird, and Jessica Cardichon
Room: Coronado Ballroom D
The newly enacted Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides a number of potential opportunities for schools serving at-promise students and opportunity youth.  State strategic plans for block grants show how they will coordinate training, education, and vocational rehabilitation; tailor the programs to individual needs; earmark 75% of youth funding for out-of-school youth; increase emphasis on dropout recovery programs; and provide departmental support for strategies that focus on not only getting youths back to schools, but also getting them on track for credentials for jobs and postsecondary education. Read CLASP report: "New Opportunities to Improve Economic and Career Success for Low-Income Youth and Adults: Key Provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)." This session repeats on Friday at 1:45 p.m.

Preparing Great Teachers for At-Promise Students
Presenters: Sara A. Brown, Lisa Darling-Daniel, Beverly Gilbert, Laura Hernandez-Flores, and Caycee Sledge
Room: Coronado Ballroom A
From induction through classroom practice, teaching the teachers is a critical component to serving at promise youth.  Learn what’s being done to support high quality teachers from entering the profession to adapting and implementing Common Core.

Update on the Measuring Educational Quality and Accountability Survey              
Presenters: Jody Ernst and Jim Griffin
Room: Coronado Ballroom B
At last year’s Policy Forum, Dr. Jody Ernst announced the creation of the Measuring Educational Quality and Accountability (MEQA) project.  RAPSA, Momentum Strategy & Research and others have launched the National Opportunity Youth Collaborative supporting various state-level opportunity youth collaboratives (including efforts in California, Minnesota, and South Carolina).  Together the Collaborative aims to improve policy, performance measures, and accountability systems for alternative education campuses and the Opportunity Youth they serve.   The initiative began with the survey at the 2013 Alternative Accountability Policy Forum asking questions about students served,  the mission of the school and practices around enrolling students and measuring their skill levels and both academic and nonacademic growth. Hear an update of how the work is proceeding.  And if you haven’t taken the survey, please go to: www.rapsa.org and click on Measuring Education Accountability Survey.

10:50 am – 12:30 pm
Breakout Sessions

Accreditation for Schools Serving At-Promise Youth
Presenters: Don Haught, Ginger Hovenic, and David Hurst
Room: Coronado Ballroom D
Schools serving critically at risk youth need alternative accountability metrics, use alternative pedagogies, and alternative scheduling.  But can they measure up when it comes time for State and Regional accreditation?  Learn how accreditation teams look at alternative schools and learn more about how to present your educational program when it comes time to be measured on student achievement, academic standards and school improvement.

Demonstrating Mastery at High School for Recording Arts
Presenters: Paula Anderson and Tony Simmons
Room: Coronado Ballroom A
For schools seeking to reengage students, the use of Carnegie Units is often an irrelevant hurdle.  Some schools find alternative ways for students to earn credits.  Learn how HSRA uses recording albums, student workshops, group study advisories and other methods to demonstrate mastery of state standards without being limited by seat time.

Do Critically At-Risk Students Suffer From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Presenter: Amy Lansing
Room: Coronado Ballroom C
Research on the impacts of poverty on children has begun to link poverty, segregation and post-traumatic stress disorder.  How should schools serving very low income youth address this issue?  How can your school overcome the challenges of PTSD?  Engage in a dialogue with Dr. Amy Lansing who has studied and written on this issue.

Re-Engagement Efforts in San Diego, Chicago, and Beyond: 
How a Citywide Approach Provides Students a Second Chance 
Presenter: Ian Gordon, Andrew Moore, Becky Phillpott, Caycee Sledge, and Tracy Templin
Room: Coronado Ballroom B
Learn how Federal policy has encouraged cities and schools to work together to provide opportunities and wrap around services for at risk students and their families.  Hear about the work in San Diego and Chicago’s SOAR program.

12:30 - 1:45 pm
Lunch
Poolside

1:45 - 3:15 pm
Breakout Sessions

Continuous Improvement: A Look at Two Approaches for Improving Alternative Accountability
Presenters: Bill Clarke (via video),  Susan Miller Barker (via video), Jennifer Robison, and Leslie Talbot
Room: Coronado Ballroom A
New York and Ohio State charter authorizers have begun to expand the existing school design elements and accountability goals.  Hear how these states are tackling hidden challenges for implementing alternative accountability policies.  Learn how effective alternative accountability policies require continuous improvement and broad community collaboration.  Learn about Ohio’s new initiative to provide funding for a limited number of Over-age and Under-credit students to receive a high school diploma who have aged out of the charter school environment. 

New Options and Opportunities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Presenters: Melanie Anderson, Kisha Bird, Jessica Cardichon, and Shannon Hovis
Room: Coronado Ballroom D
The newly enacted Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provides a number of potential opportunities for schools serving at-promise students and opportunity youth.  State strategic plans for block grants show how they will coordinate training, education, and vocational rehabilitation; tailor the programs to individual needs; earmark 75% of youth funding for out-of-school youth; increase emphasis on dropout recovery programs; and provide departmental support for strategies that focus on not only getting youths back to schools, but also getting them on track for credentials for jobs and postsecondary education. Read CLASP report: "New Opportunities to Improve Economic and Career Success for Low-Income Youth and Adults: Key Provisions of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)."

Over-Age, Under-Credited Students and Public Charter Schools
Presenters: Beth Anderson, Linda Dawson, Phil Matero, Bob Rath, and Tony Simmons
Room: Coronado Ballroom C
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has published a report on successes, strategies and opportunities for expanding dropout recovery schools.  Hear from leaders of the five schools described in the report and compare your practices with theirs.

 

3:30 – 5:00 pm
Breakout Sessions

Alternative Accountability Policy: The Action is at the State Level
Presenters: Jenny Curtin (via video), Jessica Knevals, Nick Mathern, and Nicole Yohalem
Room: Coronado Ballroom A
Learn why state government is the critical venue for progress on alternative accountability.  Join representatives from state education agencies and advocacy organizations for a discussion about how policy can serve off-track and previously dropped-out students.  Learn about Washington’s Open Doors policy and use of multiple measures for academic success.  Discover what Colorado has done to encourage re-engagement via cohort graduation rates and readiness indicators.  And, hear about new accountability measures in Massachusetts that account for youth re-engagement. Join in a discussion of what can be done in your state and envision a wish list for future alternative accountability policies.

Can Online Learning Support Critically At-Risk Students?
Presenters: Julie Evans, Liz Hessom, and Maria Worthen
Room: Coronado Ballroom B
Schools across the country are expanding their online resources for independent study, blended learning and as resources for traditional classrooms.  Policy makers continue to debate the role of online education for critically at risk students.  Hear from school leaders about what they’re doing and what results they have with the “at promise” student population.

The County Office View: What a Difference Commitment Makes
Presenters: Tom Changnon, Matthew LaPlante, and Kenneth Young
Room: Coronado Ballroom D
In California, County Offices of Education are responsible for providing alternative education opportunities for students who are unsuccessful in traditional schools.  Learn how dropout prevention and recovery efforts are being championed by some of the State’s leaders.

Graduation Rates for Re-Engaged Dropouts: Politics of Unintended Consequences
Presenter: Jessica Cardichon and Ernie Silva
Room: Coronado Ballroom C
A round table opportunity to discuss the graduation rate issue and share ideas with congressional staff on what needs to be done at the Federal level to encourage dropout recovery.

5:00 pm
Evening Reception
Coronado Ballroom Foyer
Sponsored by Barney & Barney LLC, Charter School Capital, Coronado Marriott Resort & Spa,  John Muir Charter School, Procopio, and School Services of California

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 (DRAFT. Times and topics subject to change)

7:30 am
Breakfast
Coronado Ballrooms C & D

8:30 - 9:50 am 
Breakout Sessions

Alternative Schools in Massachusetts
Presenters: Beth Anderson and Nina Culbertson
Room: Coronado Ballroom B
A recent study surveyed alternative schools in Massachusetts examining how flexible learning strategies designed to meet individual student needs may support greater academic success in school and beyond.  A Massachusetts charter school, Phoenix Academy was featured in a report on how some charter schools are addressing these issues.   Learn what lessons were learned about how state rules, funding and measurements act to encourage or discourage school districts from taking on dropouts and over age and under credit students.



Collective Action: From the Grassroots to the Capitol
Presenters: Melanie Anderson, Jessica Cardichon, and Justin Smith
Room: Coronado Ballroom D
Hear from national advocacy organizations about the role you can play in creating meaningful policy change.

A Conversation about Using Anecdotes and Data
Presenters: Bob Rath and Nelson Smith
Room: Coronado A
Last year’s conference included a release of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers’ report, “Anecdotes aren’t Enough.”  This year’s conference unveils the “Don’t Call Them Dropouts” report based on a survey of individual student stories supporting the importance of reengaging students with toxic experiences as well as a report on how specific charter schools are leading the movement to reengage overage, under-credited students.   Join the conversation about how to relay student stories to build understanding of the importance of serving at-promise students.

Don't Call Them Dropouts!
Presenters: Craig McClay and Jon Zaff 
Room: Coronado Ballroom C
Learn what the most recent research says about student abilities to overcome a multiplicity of toxic factors and how relationships can help students to break through barriers to school reengagement.

10:00 – 10:50 am
Breakout Sessions

Holistic Performance Index
Presenter: Bob Rath
Room: Coronado Ballroom A
In 2013, OPP released its school based Dashboard that measured student performance. The system, unique to Conn., took multiple inputs from a variety of data sources and combined them into an integrated data warehouse. Now, in 2014, OPP has produced Dashboard 2.0 that integrated the original dashboard with a Holistic Performance Index that measures student academic progress, student attendance, student behavior, career- and workforce-readiness, social emotional growth, and credit accumulation.

Practice and Assessment with At-Promise Students
Presenter: Johnna Early
Room: Coronado Ballroom D
Explore the importance of “practice and assessment” with struggling students and hear practical approaches based on the work of Barrie Bennett and other educational theorists.  Find where the intersection of existing wisdom and knowledge related to curriculum, assessment, instruction, how students learn, the nature of change, and the importance of systemic change meets your work.

Recovering Lost Time: Re-Engaging Students through College and Community
Presenters: Miguel Contreras, Jr. and Jill Marks
Room: Coronado Ballroom C
This session will provide an in depth look at the Gateway to College student services model that facilitates the success of reengaged students in the college setting. The Gateway California State Manager and Gateway College and Career Academy Director at Riverside City College will share essential program structures, strategies and tools that exemplify the intensive student services model that supports re-engaged students in a rigorous dual enrollment environment.

Social Emotional Learning: Infusing It into School Culture to Affect Positive Change in LCAP/LCFF Priorities of School Climate, Student Engagement, and Academic Achievement
Presenter: Joelle Hood
Room: Coronado Ballroom B
Research shows that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a critical component found in three of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Priority areas:  increasing student engagement, positive school climate, and academic achievement. Through this highly interactive and engaging session, participants will learn about the scientific basis behind the need to emphasize SEL in order to prepare students to be successful in their interactions at school, in their work toward Common Core State Standards, and in the workforce.  SEL is not just for students.  School staff needs to bolster their SEL competencies to help them better navigate the dynamic world of education, to meet the needs of their students, and to prevent burnout.  This workshop will present both the research and strategies that can be effectively incorporated into alternative education settings."

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Closing Sessions
Coronado Ballrooms C & D

Learning from Students: Identifying Effective Interventions
Presenter: Craig McClay and Student Panel
Craig McClay of America’s Promise Alliance works with opportunity youth and educators as a researcher, advisor and mentor.  Join Craig as he engages “at-promise” students in a conversation about their histories of dropping out, what barriers and obstacles they faced at their prior schools, and what interventions have helped their new found success.  This general session student panel promises to be engaging and enlightening for all.  

Moving Forward Together
Closing Presenter: Delaine Eastin
The Alternative Accountability Policy Forum will conclude with remarks from former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Delaine Eastin, who will encourage attendees to move forward together.

12:00 pm
Forum Adjourns