Resource Library

This presentation, "Accessing Choice Scholarships as a New Revenue Stream," by David Heroux, Senior Director of Provider Relations & Development at Step Up For Students, explores how schools can access new funding sources by serving homeschool students through choice scholarships. The session begins by highlighting the substantial financial resources available through these scholarships, particularly the Personalized Education Program (PEP) and Unique Abilities (FESUA) scholarships.

The presentation delves into the specifics of how schools can utilize these scholarships. It focuses on part-time enrollment for private schools, contracted services for public schools, and other avenues for serving homeschool students who may not attend a traditional school full-time.

The session also provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the Step Up For Students (SUFS) Education Market Assistant (EMA) marketplace. This includes creating an account, setting up service offerings, managing student accounts, and invoicing procedures.

The presentation emphasizes the significant growth of homeschooling and the increasing funding available through choice scholarships. It encourages schools to view this as an opportunity to expand their services, meet the unique needs of homeschool students, and access new revenue streams.

Key takeaways for attendees:

• Understand the scope and materiality of choice scholarships, particularly PEP and FESUA, and how they can be utilized to serve homeschool students.
• Learn how to navigate the SUFS EMA marketplace, from account creation to invoicing, to access and manage these scholarship funds.
• Explore various avenues for serving homeschool students, including part-time enrollment, contracted services, tutoring, and therapies.
• Recognize the growing homeschool population and the increasing funding available through choice scholarships as a potential revenue stream for schools.

This presentation, "Aligning and Defining Instructional Look-Fors," by Angie Mahone and Dustin Sims of the Florida Department of Education, provides a practical framework for school leaders to enhance instructional practices and accelerate student achievement. The session begins with an engaging example of a dance instructor, prompting the audience to consider the essential elements of effective instruction.

The presenters then delve into the concept of "look-fors," which are defined as specific indicators that define instructional practices within high-quality instruction. They emphasize the importance of aligning these look-fors with the school's vision for high-quality instruction and school improvement plan. By identifying and prioritizing key instructional practices, schools can focus their efforts on the areas that will have the greatest impact on student learning.

The presentation also emphasizes the need to clearly define what "evident" and "not evident" look like for each instructional look-for. This clarity allows for more focused feedback and support for teachers. The presenters provide real-life examples from schools that have successfully implemented this process, demonstrating how this approach can lead to powerful conversations and improved instructional practices.

A key takeaway from this session is the importance of moving beyond generic evaluation tools and creating a tailored approach to instructional improvement. By grounding their look-fors in research-based practices and aligning them with their school's specific needs, schools can create a shared vision for instructional excellence. The presenters encourage schools to continually refine their look-fors to ensure they remain relevant and impactful.

The presenters conclude by highlighting the transformative potential of this framework. By focusing on high-quality Tier 1 instruction, schools can reduce the need for remediation and intervention, allowing for more time to be dedicated to reinforcing core concepts. This approach empowers teachers to deliver targeted instruction that meets the needs of all learners, ultimately leading to accelerated student achievement.

This presentation, "Building Great Citizens with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI)," by John Dibble, Director of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, explores the transformative potential of competitive speech and debate in Florida's educational landscape. The session begins by highlighting the concerning lack of civic knowledge among Americans, underscoring the urgent need for effective civics education.

The presentation delves into the FCDI, a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering civic knowledge and debate skills among students. The program offers various opportunities for students to engage in competitive speech and debate, including the Great Debate, a flagship event held in Orlando, and the State Championship, which saw participation from over 80 schools and 600 students.

One of the key benefits of the FCDI is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students are encouraged to research and analyze primary source documents, formulate arguments, and engage in civil discourse. This hands-on approach not only deepens their understanding of civics but also equips them with essential critical thinking and communication skills.

The presentation also emphasizes the role of educators in facilitating these enriching experiences. Teachers are encouraged to integrate debate-centered instruction into their classrooms, fostering an environment where students can learn to disagree respectfully and constructively. The FCDI provides resources and support to help teachers implement these strategies effectively.

The FCDI offers various avenues for participation, including individual and team events, in-person and online tournaments, and summer camps. The program also provides financial assistance to schools and coaches, ensuring accessibility for all students. By promoting active engagement in civics and debate, the FCDI empowers students to become well-informed, articulate, and responsible citizens.

Overall, the presentation underscores the transformative power of competitive speech and debate in shaping future leaders and citizens. By fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and civic responsibility, the FCDI is building a brighter future for Florida and beyond.

This presentation, "Building Resiliency in Florida's Students," by Peggy Aune of the Florida Department of Education, provides a wealth of information on resources and strategies for fostering resilience in students. The presentation begins by defining resilience and its importance in helping students overcome challenges and succeed academically and personally.

The session then delves into the various resources available to support resilience development in Florida schools. These include the Build Resiliency website, which offers a variety of downloadable resources for parents and educators, such as posters, bookmarks, and a reading list with family reading guides. The presenter also highlights the Resiliency Coach training program, a supplemental training for volunteers who work with students, designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge to foster resilience in students.

In addition to discussing resources, the presentation also provides an overview of the results from the first administration of the Florida-Specific Youth Survey. This survey, administered to a sample of high school students across the state, measures students' self-perception of their resilience, as well as their knowledge of required health education topics. The presenter shares key findings from the survey and discusses how these results can be used to inform supports for students in schools.

The presentation also touches on other important topics related to student mental health and well-being, such as the Youth Mental Health Awareness Training and the Mental Health Assistance Program. The presenter emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place to support students' mental health needs and highlights the significant financial investment made by the state of Florida in recent years to support these efforts.

The presentation concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaboration between schools, families, and communities in fostering resilience in students. The presenter encourages participants to share ideas and suggestions for enhancing resilience-building efforts in Florida schools and provides contact information for those who have questions or need additional support. Overall, the presentation offers a comprehensive overview of the resources, strategies, and data available to support the development of resilience in Florida's students.

This presentation, "Classrooms to Careers: FTA's Customized Pre-Apprenticeships and Certified Training for Student Success," by Chris Pello, CEO of Florida Trade Academy, explores how FTA is bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers. The session begins with Pello sharing his background in education and the genesis of Florida Trade Academy.

Pello emphasizes the need for alternative career pathways for students who choose not to pursue college. FTA initially focused on providing trade school options for high school graduates but has evolved into a comprehensive apprenticeship and training provider. They offer various programs, including construction trades, manufacturing, and solar technology.

The presentation highlights the importance of preparing students for careers with little to no debt and the necessity of equipping them with practical skills. Pello shares a concerning statistic that many schools claim to offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, but students are not taking the exams for national certifications. The goal of FTA is to change that by providing certified training programs that can be brought into schools, giving students tangible career opportunities.

The session also touches upon real-world impact, with Pello sharing success stories of students who have benefited from FTA programs. These stories illustrate how students can gain valuable skills and credentials, leading to well-paying jobs and fulfilling careers. Pello emphasizes that the need for skilled workers in the trades is high and that schools have an obligation to guide students towards these opportunities.

The presentation concludes by outlining how FTA can deliver customized, turnkey CTE programs to schools, including training, onboarding, and compliance assistance. Pello emphasizes the affordability of these programs and the potential for sponsorships and partnerships with employers.

Overall, the presentation highlights the importance of providing students with diverse career pathways and how Florida Trade Academy is actively working to make these pathways a reality for students across the state.

This presentation, "ESE Best Practices," by Lindsey Granger, Christy Noe, Carla Lovett, Tandria Callins, and Kim Cavanah, showcases effective practices for serving students with disabilities in Florida's charter schools. The session begins by highlighting the importance of special education and the need for continuous improvement in this area.

The presenters share case studies from three different charter schools: Language and Literacy Academy for Learning, Seaside Charter School, and South Tech Schools. Each school demonstrates unique approaches to serving students with disabilities. Language and Literacy Academy provides intensive, specially designed instruction and related therapies embedded throughout the school day. They also emphasize community partnerships to enhance student support.

Seaside Charter School implements the "Water" program, focusing on learning through head, heart, and hands. They restructure their curriculum to align with this unique program while ensuring students access grade-level standards. Seaside also prioritizes social-emotional and behavioral support for all students

South Tech Schools offers a well-defined transition program with comprehensive transition planning. They have a state-of-the-art facility where students gain authentic, real-world experience in various career academies. Their program prepares students for post-secondary success through industry certifications and community partnerships.

The presenters emphasize that the charter program's fidelity is crucial for the success of all students, including those with disabilities. They stress the importance of aligning staff strengths and interests with student needs and providing ongoing professional development. The presenters also highlight the importance of intentional planning, regular data analysis, and high expectations for inclusive practices.

The key takeaway from this session is that successful ESE programs in charter schools prioritize the following:

• Implementing the charter program with fidelity.
• Intentional planning and data analysis to meet student needs.
• High expectations for inclusive practices and aligning staff with strengths and interests.
• Building strong community partnerships and family relationships.

This presentation, "Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program (VPK)," by Cari Miller, Chancellor of Early Learning at the Florida Department of Education, provides a comprehensive overview of the state's VPK program. The session begins by highlighting the program's significance as a cornerstone of Florida's early learning landscape and emphasizes the importance of kindergarten readiness for long-term academic success.

The presentation delves into the specifics of the VPK program, including eligibility criteria, program options, and requirements for providers. It details the different types of VPK programs available, such as school-year and summer programs, and outlines the qualifications for instructors and the curriculum standards that must be met.

The session also addresses the assessment component of the VPK program, discussing the tools used to measure program quality and student progress. It highlights the importance of using assessment data to inform instruction and ensure that children are developing the necessary skills to succeed in kindergarten.

In addition to the core VPK program, the presentation explores additional opportunities and resources available to VPK providers, children, and families. This includes professional development opportunities for early learning professionals, free book distribution programs, and scholarship accounts to support literacy development.

The session concludes by emphasizing the importance of VPK accountability and the benefits of participating in the program. It highlights the positive impact VPK has on kindergarten readiness and underscores the value of early learning in setting children on a path to success.

Overall, the presentation provides a comprehensive and informative overview of Florida's VPK program, underscoring its crucial role in preparing young children for academic success and highlighting the opportunities and benefits it offers to providers, children, and families.

This presentation, "From Succession to Success: Building a Future-Ready Leadership Pipeline at Your School," by Lynn Norman-Teck and Judith Marty, emphasizes the importance of succession planning in charter schools. The session begins by highlighting the potential disruption caused by the sudden departure of a school leader and how a succession plan can ensure a smooth transition.

The presenters then discuss the resources available to support succession planning, including the School Leaders Fellowship program created by the Florida Charter School Alliance and the Doral College Leadership Institute. These programs offer training and support for aspiring school leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a charter school environment.

The presentation also highlights the importance of mentorship and hands-on experience in leadership development. The speakers share their personal experiences and emphasize the value of learning from different school environments and roles. They encourage aspiring leaders to seek out opportunities to shadow experienced principals and engage in diverse administrative tasks.

The presenters also discuss the challenges facing charter schools in attracting and retaining qualified leaders. They emphasize the need for ongoing support and development for school leaders, and they encourage schools to create a culture that values leadership development.

The session concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaboration and resource sharing among charter schools. The presenters encourage attendees to learn from each other and utilize the resources available through professional organizations and the broader charter school community. Overall, the presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of succession planning and the resources available to support the development of future-ready leaders in charter schools.

Key takeaways for attendees:

• Develop a clear succession plan to mitigate disruption and ensure a smooth transition in the event of a school leader's departure.
• Utilize available resources, such as the School Leaders Fellowship and the Doral College Leadership Institute, to support the development of aspiring school leaders.
• Prioritize mentorship and hands-on experience in leadership development, providing opportunities for aspiring leaders to shadow experienced principals and engage in diverse administrative tasks.
• Create a school culture that values leadership development and provides ongoing support for aspiring and current school leaders.
• Collaborate with other charter schools and utilize resources available through professional organizations to enhance succession planning efforts.

This presentation, "Launch Year Training," by Dana Vignale, Christine Mentis, and Linda Chambers of the Florida Charter Institute, offers a comprehensive guide for new charter school leaders navigating the complexities of launching a successful school. The session begins by emphasizing the importance of teamwork, thorough planning, and utilizing available resources for a smooth launch.

The presentation delves into the crucial aspects of governance, highlighting the importance of a high-quality governing board. It emphasizes the need for a systematized onboarding process, a well-developed board manual, and adherence to the Sunshine Law for transparency in decision-making.

Another key focus is the business of running a school. The presenters stress the importance of understanding the charter contract, relevant statutes, and maintaining sound financial practices. They provide guidance on budgeting, record-keeping, and utilizing the Redbook code of accounting.

The presentation also addresses student enrollment, highlighting its critical role in driving school funding and operations. It offers strategies for effective marketing and messaging, emphasizing the importance of crafting a unique brand identity and maintaining consistent communication with families.

The presenters provide insights into administration and HR, guiding participants on setting competitive salary scales, hiring practices, and onboarding processes. They also emphasize the importance of succession planning and offer resources to aid in this process.

The session concludes by addressing facilities acquisition and funding, acknowledging the challenges charter schools face in this area. The presenters offer practical advice for navigating lease agreements, understanding facilities funding options, and utilizing available resources effectively.

Key takeaways for attendees:

• Develop a thorough understanding of charter school governance, including board development, compliance, and financial management.
• Create a robust plan for student enrollment, incorporating effective marketing and communication strategies.
• Establish clear HR policies and procedures, including competitive compensation packages and a well-defined hiring process.
• Understand the complexities of facilities acquisition and funding, and utilize available resources strategically.
• Build strong relationships with sponsors, authorizers, and other charter school leaders for ongoing support and guidance.

This presentation, "Policies, Procedures, and Peace of Mind," by Kris Newman-Lake, Braxton Padgett, and Emily Rodriguez, provides a comprehensive overview of the critical role of well-crafted policies and procedures in running a successful school. The session begins by emphasizing the importance of proactive policy development, highlighting the pitfalls of creating policies in reaction to crises or conflicts.

The presenters delve into various types of policies essential for schools, starting with governing board policies. They emphasize the importance of grievance procedures, outlining clear lines of communication and timelines for addressing conflicts. They also stress the need for robust school safety policies, including active assailant response plans, threat management protocols, and procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.

The presentation then moves to student-specific policies, focusing on dress codes, dismissal procedures, and parent contracts. The presenters offer guidance on crafting gender-neutral dress codes, ensuring legally compliant dismissal policies, and developing parent contracts that outline expectations and responsibilities.

The session also addresses employee policies, highlighting the importance of progressive discipline policies, leave policies, and policies regarding employee conduct and ethics. The presenters emphasize the need for clear guidelines on disciplinary actions, leave procedures, and professional expectations.

The presentation concludes by emphasizing the importance of training staff on school policies and ensuring that everyone understands and follows them. The presenters also stress the need for regular review and updates to policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

Key takeaways for attendees:

• Develop policies and procedures proactively to avoid creating them in reaction to crises.
• Ensure your school has comprehensive policies covering governance, student issues, and employee matters.
• Craft clear and legally compliant policies that are tailored to the specific needs and context of your school.
• Train staff on school policies and ensure everyone understands and adheres to them.
• Regularly review and update policies to ensure they remain relevant and effective in addressing the evolving needs of the school community.