A Publication of the Resource Center for Charter Schools
Volume 9    Number 43     October 20, 2006  Pages: 2
Phone 361-561-8675 Fax 361-561-8677

Resource Center for Charter Schools All Rights Reserved
                                       

Blastoff!  
Helping Charters Soar
Tenth Annual Texas Charter School Conference
Houston Hilton Americas
Confirmed speakers include:
Mrs. Barbara Bush • Senator Florence Shapiro • Dr. Howard Fuller • Nelson Smith •
Morgan Brown • Dr. Adrain Johnson

Sunday, November 26, 2006
          4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Conference Registration

Monday, November 27, 2006
          8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Conference Registration
          8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Vendor Showplace
          8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast
          9:00 a.m. – 10:45 p.m. General Session (Ballroom)
          10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Break: View the Vendors
          11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
          12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon (Ballroom)
          1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
          2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break: View the Vendors
          3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
          4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ACE Reception
          6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Resource Center for Charter Schools
                             10th Anniversary Celebration and Dance Rock-it & Roll! (Casual dress)

Tuesday, November 28, 2006
          8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Conference Registration
          8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Vendor Showplace
          8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast
          9:00 a.m. – 10:45 p.m. General Session (Ballroom)
          10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Break: View the Vendors
          11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
          12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon (Ballroom)
          1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
          2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break: View the Vendors
          3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

CONFERENCE BREAKOUT SESSIONS Over 75 breakout sessions will be offered at the conference, with 27 sessions counting towards the mandatory training requirements as listed in the Commissioner’s Rules.

General topics will include:
     •  Accountability and Student Improvement
     •  Strategies for Charter Success
     •  Administrative and Board Training I
     •  Administrative and Board Training II
     •  Charter Accountability and Assistance
     •  Finance
     •  Instruction (Subjects)
     •  Instruction (General)
     •  Regional, State, and Federal Issues
     •  Special Education
     •  Group and Individual Training
     •  Vendors I
     •  Vendors II
     •  Vendors III

Registration fees will increase by $125, in each category, if received after November 6.
Deadline to receive the hotel conference rate of $110 is November 5.

Asbestos Inspections Reminder
The United States Department of Education (USDE) recently notified State Education Agency (SEA) charter school project directors that five Arizona charter schools were cited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for asbestos violations.  The newspaper article is available at the following link: www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1006phxepa1006.html.  This is a reminder that the EPA has developed guidance to help local education agencies (LEAs) achieve compliance with the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools regulation, 40 CFR Part 763.  These regulations, in effect since 1986, require that public and not-for-profit non public, elementary and secondary schools be inspected to determine the presence of asbestos-containing building materials and that asbestos management plans be developed as a result of those inspections.  The Texas Education Agency Division of Charter Schools sent the following correspondence regarding this issue on April 6, 2005: www.tea.state.tx.us/charter/correspond/asbestos2005.pdf.  Additional information regarding this issue can be found at the EPA Asbestos in Schools Website at www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbestos_in_schools.html.