session descriptions


​Monday, October 9
1:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Keynote:  Dr. Adolf Brown, Founder, President and CEO of The Leadership & Learning Institute

Dr. Adolph Brown is a recognized Master Teacher, business leader, educational/clinical psychologist, anthropologist and motivational speaker; his outrageous and energetic outlook will captivate you the minute he walks onto stage.  As a noted business and education humorist, Dr. Brown entertains you as he relays his professional experiences coupled with his evidence-based & data driven research in his hilarious and heart-warming style.  He brings "the content and the crazy!" Dr. Brown delivers high-quality instruction identifiable by objective audience observers, and makes a significant impact on participant learning gains. His greatest goals are for you to "Learn More & Laugh Louder!"
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Keynote: The California Way - Not Letting the Federal Tail Wag the State Dog
Keric Ashley, Deputy Superintendent, Performance, Planning and Technology Branch, California Department of Education

This keynote session is designed to provide the latest information from the California Department of Education on statewide activities and how federal programs support The California Way.

​Tuesday, October 10
8:15 am - 9:30 am
​Keynote: The Political Landscape of Federal Education Issues
Steven Spillan, Senior Associate, Brustein & Manasevit

​As Congress and the Trump Administration continue to butt heads on everything from implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to the funding of various education programs, the political landscape for federal education program administrators is rocky, to say the least.  This session will focus on the political realities that legislators are facing heading into the last two months of the year, the likely funding levels for major programs and regulatory issues from the U.S. Department of Education.​​
10:15 am - 11:30 am
Keynote: If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now: What the Past 5 Years Prepares Us to Do Next
Jannelle Kubinec, Director, Comprehensive School Assistance Program at WestEd
​
We're all heard the sayings ..."hindsight is 20/20"..."those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"..."the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." So what are the lessons, history, and change we can learn from to inform how we lead, grow, and improve? Using equal parts history, politics, and science, Jannelle will walk us through lessons from our recent past to challenge us to make a better future to come.
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
and
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Breakout: Equitable Services Under ESSA for Eligible Students Attending Private Schools
Sylvia Hanna, California Department of Education
Karen Ryback, Executive Director, Federal and State Education Programs, Los Angeles Unified School District
​Wanda Shironaka, Title I Program Manager, San Juan Unified School District

The session will provide an overview of the Equitable Services requirements, the Equitable Services Ombudsman requirement, the changes to the Title I Equitable Services Proportional Share calculation and a review of the Equitable Services Consultation requirements under the Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA).
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
and
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Breakout: Time and Effort – from the Beginning to Flexibility
​Steve Spillan, Senior Associate, Brustein & Manasevit

Since the adoption of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-87, the most common audit finding for federal education programs have centered on time & effort certifications for salaries paid with federal funds.  The Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) is supposed to provide grantees and subrecipients with greater flexibility in documenting salaries and wages, but what does that mean for the future of time & effort documentation?  This session will compare the old rules and common findings to the new flexibility of the UGG and proposed time & effort systems for utilizing the new flexible framework. 
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
and
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Breakout:  English Learner Road Map
Aileen Allison-Zarea, Administrator, Literacy, History and Arts Leadership Office, California Department of Education
Elena Fajardo, Administrator, Language Policy and Leadership Office, California Department of Education
JoAnne Lauer, Director, Research and Implementation, Riverside County Office of Education

On July 12, 2017 the State Board of Education adopted a new policy for English learners. This policy is one component of a The Comprehensive English Learner Roadmap: Strengthening Educational Policies, Programs, and Practices for English Learners (EL Roadmap). This panel will discuss the process for informing and developing the policy and roadmap, the implications for local educational agencies, and plans for continuing the support to educators.
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
and
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Breakout: California's New Accountability System and School Dashboard
Cindy Kazanis, Director, Analysis, Measurement & Accountability and Reporting Division, California Department of Education
Jenny Singh, Administrator, Analysis, Measurement & Accountability and Reporting Division, California Department of Education
​
The California School Dashboard (Dashboard) will be released in the fall of 2017. This session will give you some insight on:
• The framework of the new accountability system
• The goal to address local, state and federal accountability requirements
• The relationship among the Local Control Funding Formula, the Local Control and Accountability Plan, and the Dashboard
• The impact of the new Dashboard for schools and districts
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
and
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Breakout: Making Early Investments in Early Childhood Education
Jannelle Kubinec, Director, Comprehensive School Assistance Program at WestEd

The way in which California funds early childhood education rivals the complexity of putting together a IKEA furniture set. There's multiple types of state funds, a smattering of federal funds and unique requirements across programs. Yet, the research is quite simple - early childhood education and school readiness support prepares students to learn and sets them up for future success. Navigating limited resources, copious rules, and cross-agency dialogue can make it hard to start and sustain early education programs and partnerships within our school districts. This session will explore examples of success and provide advice on how to introduce and sustain early childhood programs in your district.
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
and
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Breakout:  Working Toward Coherence: Aligning WASC, SPSA and the LCAP
Nancy Brownell, Director, Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools & Colleges
Kathy Meade, Executive Director, Multilingual Department,Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Local accountability and continuous improvement goals are best accomplished if school plans are aligned with LCAPs.  This session will share promising practices to increase understanding of how the WASC Accreditation process and schoolwide planning support school and district alignment of the SPSA and LCAP plans and indicators of implementation progress.
​
​Wednesday, October 11
8:30 am - 9:45 am
Keynote:  ​TBA
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Keynote:  FUNdamental Equity: Bridging the Laughter Gap
​​Robin Getman, CSP, InterACT Group

Simple, cost-free and underused, healthy laughter is vital to a creative and productive work environment.

What do you see when you scan the faces of your students and coworkers?
 • Enjoyment or irritation?
 • Engagement or frustration?

What do you hear?
 • Laughter or ridicule?
 • Gratitude or grumbling?

If laughter and joy aren’t on your list, your organization may need a reminder that laughter is seriously good for education.

Time flies in this high energy, fast-paced and rousing experience. You will:
 • Inventory your fun factor.
 • Practice happiness fundamentals.
 • Identify mind/body benefits of laughter.

The fun starts here; the benefits linger.
Agenda subject to change.