2,500+ Charter Leaders, Supporters, Teachers, and Parents Celebrate "One Movement, Many Voices" at the 22nd Annual California Charter Schools Conference

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 2,500 charter school leaders, supporters, teachers, and parents will convene to inspire academic excellence, operational integrity and unity among charter schools throughout California at the annual four-day event, held from March 16-19, 2015 at the Sacramento Convention Center and hosted by the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA). California is home to the largest number of charters in the nation, with an estimated 547,800 students attending 1,184 schools.

"Charter schools in California continue to grow and gain momentum with 87 new schools opening during the 2014-15 school year. This is a clear indicator that innovation and choice for our children's education is a top priority for educators, parents, and community leaders. Our annual gathering of such a vast array of high caliber, respected, and diverse professionals in the charter school movement demonstrates the unity of the movement and its focus on revolutionizing the educational future for students statewide," said CCSA President and CEO Jed Wallace.

In addition to 150+ breakout sessions, 50+ poster sessions and 230+ exhibiting companies, the conference will also offer a special programming strand exploring the impact of the 60^th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. Pre-conference programming as well as tours of several Sacramento charter schools will be offered on Monday, March 16. This year nine Hart Vision Awards will be presented to volunteers, schools, teachers, elected officials and community leaders. Five students graduating from CCSA member charter schools from across the state will also be recognized with each receiving a $2,000 Susan Steelman Bragato Scholarship Award.

CCSA's first-ever One Movement. Many Voices. Video Contest winners will also be announced at the event. More than 40 informative, creative and inspiring videos were submitted, three contest winners selected, and $23,000 in prizes will be awarded to individuals and the charter schools of their choice during the plenary program on Wednesday, March 18.

Featured Speakers:

Tuesday, March 17: Jed Wallace, CSSA president and CEO, will present the keynote address during the opening plenary session program, which starts at 8:00 am – 9:30 am in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street, Sacramento. Under Wallace's leadership, CCSA supports more charter schools than any other state in the nation.

Wednesday, March 18: Amanda Ripley, investigative journalist and best-selling author will speak during the morning plenary session program, which opens at 8:00 am – 9:30 am in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street, Sacramento. Ripley also writes feature stories for Time Magazine and the Atlantic and speaks on various topics, including global competitiveness, education and parenting.

"I am looking forward to sharing the stories of students, teachers and leaders from around the world with everyone at the California Charter Schools Association Conference. It is a great opportunity to discuss what California's innovators might learn from the world's education superpowers and vice versa," said Amanda Ripley, best-selling author and investigative journalist.

Thursday, March 19: Juan Williams, FOX News political analyst and best-selling author will moderate a panel entitled, "How Do Charter Schools Address the Vision of Brown v. Board?" Panelists include the former chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, Joel Klein, Russlynn Ali of Emerson Collective, Ana Ponce, CEO of Camino Nuevo Charter Academy and Assemblymember Shirley Weber. The panel will take place during the closing program from 9:30 am – 10:30 am in the Ballroom (3^rd floor), Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento.

"As a society, we have made great strides in opening and advancing educational opportunities for all students, including working towards closing the achievement gap. It is an honor to participate in a gathering of such a diverse cadre of charter school supporters and professionals at the 22^nd Annual California Charter Schools Conference as it is a testament to their commitment to make a difference in our children's lives and futures," said Juan Williams, FOX News political analyst and best-selling author.

Learn more about the event. Read the full press release on CCSA's website.

Contact: Dannie Tillman
(213) 924-2439
[email protected]

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SOURCE California Charter Schools Association