CCSA Answers: STRS and Payment Schedule Options
Question: If we are paying STRS for our teachers, would it be possible to pay some teachers over a 12-month period and other teachers over a 10-month period? Or, because of STRS, do we have to have all teachers on the same pay schedule?
CCSA Answers: Credential Needed to Teach Math and Science at a Site-Based Charter School
Question: Which credential is needed to teach 6th grade math and science at our site-based charter school?
Webinars for School Developers
Upcoming school developer webinars include Insurance 101 for Developing Schools and How to Start a Charter School
CCSA Answers: Opting Out of the STRS Retirement Network
Question: Is there any way for our school to drop out of the STRS retirement network?
Looking for Learning and Leadership Opportunities?
Working in the charter school sector has some unique challenges and opportunities. That's why several graduate schools and organizations have created degrees, fellowships and programs targeted specifically at educators from charter schools.
New Poll Shines Light on Teacher Satisfaction at Charters vs. Traditional Schools
What's it like teaching in a charter school versus teaching in a traditional public school? How are teachers feeling? CCSA recently did a statewide poll of teachers to find out.
CCSA Answers: Principal Credentialing
Question: Is a principal of a charter school in California required to hold either an administrative services credential or a California teaching credential?
Retirement Benefits at Risk - Take time to Speak Out
Many people have been asking me about the proposed IRS regulation regarding STYRS/PERS.
CCSA is Hiring
At the California Charter Schools Association, employees have the goal of supporting member schools and the charter school movement more broadly. Keep reading to see a list of open positions!
Act Now to Protect Charter School Teacher Retirement Funds
Proposed federal regulations will affect 90% of the charter school workforce - including California teachers -- so take action today.
California Court of Appeal Sides With Charter School in Teacher's Challenge to Exemption from District Employment Rules
A California Court ruled in favor of Ridgecrest Charter School in a lawsuit brought by a probationary teacher challenging her termination, claiming that the school was required to comply with laws applicable to school districts.
Protect Charter School Teacher Retirement Funds!
More than 90% of the charter school workforce - including California teachers - will be affected by proposed federal regulations. Take Action today!
Unionization Efforts in SDUSD Charter Community Continuing
The San Diego Education Association, the local teacher's union in San Diego Unified, has been very active in the charter community since last spring. They have organized three charter schools over the last several months and continue to reach out to more schools.
CCSA Answers: Length of time to become eligible to make a claim on California State Disability Insurance
Question: How long does it take to become eligible to make a claim on California State Disability Insurance (CASDI)? I know that employees have to pay $300 in CASDI before making a claim but it is not clear whether or not the "base period" wages would include wages earned while they were not paying into CASDI.
Teacher Leadership in Charter Schools
One of the great things about charter schools is that public school teachers can take on a much greater role in the ownership, vision, operation, and leadership of a charter school than they can in a traditional public school. This is particularly valuable if a teacher is interested in "moving up" to a position of more responsibility within their school - but without having to totally leave the classroom.
CCSA Answers: CLAD Requirements
Question: Do part-time vocational teachers have to be Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (CLAD) certified?
CCSA Files Legal Brief Supporting Charter School Flexibility
The Fifth District Court of Appeal accepted CCSA's amicus curiae brief filed in Squillacote v. Ridgecrest Charter School. In this case, an "at-will" teacher filed a lawsuit challenging her dismissal by the charter school, claiming it did not comply with the Education Code provisions applicable to school districts. CCSA weighed in to protect charter school freedom from these statutorily imposed teacher employment practices.
CCSA Answers: How will the reduced school year impact staff retirement at charter schools?
Question: I understand that the CDE has ruled that charter schools may reduce their instructional year from a mandatory 175 days to a mandatory 170 days. How will the reduced school year impact staff retirement?
Protecting Your Career: Why Teachers Need Liability Insurance
In today's litigious society you can never be too careful. No matter how insulated you think you may be from harm, or the close-knit your community you teach in, misunderstandings, accusations, and accidents are common when working with some else's children.
LAUSD Charter SELPA Director Position
We are now in search of a SELPA Director for the new LAUSD Charter Operated Programs Division and are reaching out to you in hopes of identifying a qualified candidate for the position.
CCSA is Hiring
CCSA currently has a number of job openings; be sure to share these opportunities with your network of charter school supporters!
CDE Seeking Charter School Division Director
The California Department of Education (CDE) is currently recruiting for Division Director of the Charter Schools Division. The application filing deadline is October 4, 2011.
Sept. 7 & 29: Charter Employee Services 101
Attend a quick, 45 minute webinar on Charter Employee Services and be entered into a drawing to receive a scholarship to cover full registration to the 19th Annual California Charter Schools Conference in Sacramento!
External Resource: Free Teacher Professional Development
Teachers! Take advantage of this online resource: planning guides and actionable research delivered to your inbox!
