Advocacy Resources

• State Mandate Reform
  The legislature is taking a more serious look this year at reforming state mandates. They have asked ACSA to help in providing some information regarding ideas on how to reform state mandates. Click here to review a list of mandates and definitions.
• ACSA Raises Serious Concerns About How State and Federal Officials are Addressing Persistently Low-Achieving Schools
  Many LEAs were taken by surprise when the California Department of Education (CDE) posted a “preliminary” list of 188 schools labeled “persistently low achieving (135 in Tier I, 48 in Tier II and 5 failing to meet 60% graduation rate) on March 8, 2010. This alert is based on an analysis of the proposed School Improvement Grant Application, SB X5 1 (Steinberg/Brownley) and federal guidance. These topics can impact both Title I and Non-Title I schools.
• LAO State Mandate Reform
  The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently released a report titled Education Mandates: Overhauling a Broken System. This report examines the entire mandate system both by reviewing the actually state mandates and the reimbursement of mandates. The LAO then provides recommendations and strategies to reform state mandates by using specified criteria as the basis for determining the value of each mandate. While this is a comprehensive review of the mandate structure, it is unclear whether the Legislature will use this as a basis to implementing some mandate reform.
• Charter Schools 101
  What began as an experiment in alternative education has grown into a full-blown statewide charter school movement. More and more questions are being asked by school administrators on what to do if presented with a charter petition, if the charter is approved what is my oversight responsibility, timelines, and other questions. At ACSA's recent Superintendent Symposium, a very successful workshop was conducted by Laura Preston, Legislative Advocate for ACSA and Melanie Peterson, Partner with Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost, LLP providing an overview of charter issues. What was covered in this workshop is being provided in a PDF format for your use.
• New District of Choice Law: Will It Be a Detriment to Some and a Benefit to Others?
  A few weeks ago, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 680 (Chapter 198/2009) into law. The bill extended the “District of Choice” (DOC) program until 2017 and made several significant changes beyond current law. The new law goes in effect on Jan1, 2010.
• Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) Draft Regs
  USDOE has released the draft regs for the i3 program – comments are due within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register
• The fiscal outlook for education: The challenges of the next two years
  Public education has certainly taken a beating during the state budget crisis. Average 2009-10 school district revenue limits are 22% lower than in 2007-08.
• QEIA Lobby Day Logistics
  The following are updated logistics regarding Wednesday’s (Sept 2) ACSA and CTA Lobby Day for the restoration of Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) funding
• QEIA Lobby Day – Wednesday, September 2, 2009
  The following high priority message contains information regarding a proposed lobby day at the State Capitol for all Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) school districts on Wednesday, September 2, 2009.
• 2009 STAR Results Show Seven Years of Academic Progress Yet Achievement Gap Persists
  State Superintendent Jack O’Connell released the results of the 2009 STAR Program on August 18, 2009 showing California students continue to make academic progress in the four core content areas.
• QEIA Funding Situation
  The purpose of this message is to inform you of our initial efforts in opposition to the recently adopted 2009-10 funding cut to the Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA). This unanticipated reduction to QEIA district’s revenue limit has created significant challenges for all 135 QEIA districts and 466 schools participating in this program.
• 2009-10 Final Budget Revision Analysis
  Tuesday, the governor finalized the revisions to the 2009-10 Budget Act by signing the budget legislation passed by the Legislature...ACSA has reviewed the language and below is a broader analysis of the entire education budget in addition to several budget trailer bills that will impact education funding in the future.
• AB 1433 and Free use of System for California Oral Health Reporting (SCOHR)
  Since the enactment of AB 1433 in 2007, the kindergarten oral health requirements goal is to collect data, educate parents about dental disease and to establish regular dental care for children.
• California Department of Education Reorganization Update
  With the recent departure of CDE Deputy Superintendent and ACSA member Tony Monreal, who has taken the reins as district superintendent in Oxnard, the CDE has made some significant changes in organization. This may help you as you navigate and communicate with CDE in the future.
• State Superintendent Jack O’Connell Holds Conference Call: CALPADS Scheduled to Launch Statewide August 2009 (Revised 7-15-09)
  Last Friday, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell announced that CALPADS is scheduled to launch on schedule August 1, 2009.
• K-12 enrollment: A slight increase is predicted for elementary, but secondary will continue to see declines
  After declining for most of this decade, statewide student enrollment looks like it will pick up as we go into the next decade. Since 2006, over 54 percent of school districts and county offices have been experiencing multi-year declining enrollment conditions. But while average statewide enrollment is projected to now go up, that growth will be focused on specific regions. It will also be highly dependent on when and how the state comes out of recession.
• Commentary: Reaffirming Our Core Mission During Crisis
  In our previous articles, we have emphasized the fact that the provisions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) still remain in force and the federal requirements for program improvement districts to implement measures for low performing schools still exist. Even in absence of any federal or state requirements, our responsibility as educators and our commitment to our students – particularly those that face social and economic disadvantages – require that we take all steps and make any sacrifices necessary to serve students who need assistance.
• SACS Code Letter to SPI O'Connell
  Bob Wells, ACSA's Executive Director, has sent the attached letter to Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell at the request of ACSA's CTE and Adult Ed Councils.
• California Coalition for Social Security Fairness Letter
  Click on the title above to review the support letter from the California Coalition for Social Security Fairness sent June 4, 2009, regarding HR 82.
• California Agrees to Participate in CCSSO-NGA Initiative to Develop Common Core Standards
  In the attached letter signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, SBE President Ted Mitchell and State Superintendent Jack O’Connell, California has agreed to be one of forty-nine states to participate in the “Common Core Standards Initiative” which is a state led effort to develop and build momentum for voluntary common content standards that are rigorous and internationally recognized.
• “Common Core Standards Initiative” Letter
  In the attached letter signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, SBE President Ted Mitchell and State Superintendent Jack O’Connell, California has agreed to be one of forty-nine states to participate in the “Common Core Standards Initiative” which is a state led effort to develop and build momentum for voluntary common content standards that are rigorous and internationally recognized.
• May 2009 Association Leadership Guidance
  Attached is a document prepared by our political action committee attorney, Diane Fishburn. The purpose of the document is to provide guidance on the do’s and don’ts around campaign activities associated with Larry Aceves’ campaign for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Diane has provided many specific examples along with detailed information around topics such as contributions, in-kind contributions, hosting events, communicating with ACSA members and non-ACSA members, volunteering and raising funds. Many of you have contacted me requesting this information. We will have time on our agenda next Wednesday to discuss and answer any questions you might have.
• Member help needed in Social Security reform
  ACSA is calling on members to urge federal policymakers to repeal two provisions of Social Security law that reduce retirement benefits for retired educators, police officers, firefighters and other public employees.
• Sample Social Security Fairness Letter
  Attached is a draft letter to congress regarding Social Security Fairness.
• Voters Support Larry Aceves for Schools Chief
  The Association of California School Administrators released results from a recent poll showing voter support for Larry Aceves for State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2010.
• State Assembly and Senate Contact Info
  The link above is a legislative roster of California Assemblymembers and Senators, along with their contact information. You may use this information to send letters and correspondence regarding legislative matters.
• Public School Investment and Accountability Act [pdf]