Sacramento, CA- The California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) are heading to Sacramento for their annual conference entitled “From Cradle to College and Career”. Conference attendees can expect a range of panel discussions on health equity and leadership for the school community, exploring unconscious bias, to a panel discussion of former NBA and NFL players sharing their perspective on the importance of education and mentorship, new policies impacting students success, and improving diversity in employment.
“As part of our efforts to address the issues and barriers that confront the academic achievement of students of color, CAAASA works collaboratively with all education stakeholders to provide professional development and networking opportunities and the conference provides a place for all of us to share and learn best practices together”, said Dr. Judy White president, CAAASA and Moreno Valley Unified School District Superintendent.
The CAAASA Conference is supported by a variety of education stakeholders from the California Department of Education, education associations, elected officials and parents. With the goal of increasing the academic achievement among African Americans and other underserved students, this convening of district superintendents aims to address the following: academic achievement solutions that accelerate education excellence for African American students, policies that foster a positive school climate and promote student engagement, target resources to promote positive student discipline, and develop best practices in parent and family engagement with African American and other underserved students.
Superintendents, other administrators, teachers, other staff, parents and students and other underserved populations are encouraged to attend the conference to help them better understand this student population and gain the tools necessary to boost student achievement in their districts.
The conference will host a job fair for school site and district level positions and will feature a parent engagement session that will help parents better understand how to work with their district and culminate with the induction of their new president, Dr. Ramona Bishop, Superintendent of the Vallejo Unified School District.
“ When I assume the presidency on Friday, I look forward to providing the support, professional development, and professional networking necessary for education professionals to continue to the work of implementing best practices to accelerate achievement for African-American and other underserved students in California,” said Bishop.
Conference Schedule Highlights March 1- 4:(program times are on full agenda link provided below)
Tuesday March 1
Job fair participating school districts:
American Indian Model Schools, Contra Costa County, Sacramento City USD, Oakland USD, San Fran. USD, Vallejo City USD, Eastside Union School District, LAUSD, Milpitas USD, Berryessa USD, Alameda COE, Selma USD, Davis Joint SD, Moreno Valley, Hayward USD, Santa Cruz COE, Washington USD, San Lorenzo USD, Berkely USD, Pittsburg USD, Benicia USD, Coachella Valley USD
Parent and Student Engagement Session
Parents will here from leading experts in organizing parents and learning how to work with their school district on social justice issues.
Wednesday March 2
Exploring UnconsciousBias—
Panel Discussion hosted by CTA and industry experts
Professional Athletes Support Excellence in Education-Developing Students as Leaders of Today and Tomorrow through Mentorship
· Greg Bell, Former Los Angeles Rams, NFL
· Tony Stewart, Former Oakland Raiders, NFL
· Byron Chamberlain, Former Denver Broncos, NFL
· Millard Hampton, Former Professional Track & Field Athlete
Thursday March 3 From Cradle to College to Career,
Dr. Robert Ross President of California Endowment will moderate the Chair of the California First 5 Commission and Dr. Linda Darling –Hammond, Profession and Educational Consultant
A Blueprint for Great Schools 2.0
Will feature State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and the first female African American superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District Michelle King
Friday March 4-Panel Discussions
· Implications of California’s New Accountability Plan and Pursuing LCAP for African American and other under represented students.
· Black Minds Matter
For a complete listing of times of events please go to: CAAASA FULL AGENDA
The California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose primary purpose is to address the key issues in education that adversely impact the academic achievement of African-American and other underserved students. Our membership primarily consists of African-American school superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors, district administrators, parents, teachers, school board members, principals and others who support our mission.
