26 ACSA North State PD Conference

California school leaders play a critical role in ensuring equitable access and improved outcomes for students with disabilities. This presentation examines how district and site leaders can align MTSS, Special Education services, and learning environment design to proactively meet diverse student needs. Drawing on research in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), positive behavioral supports, and inclusive school systems, the session highlights leadership actions that strengthen tiered instruction, reduce disproportionality, and create environments that support engagement, regulation, and academic success. Participants will explore how strategic leadership decisions transform classrooms into supportive learning ecosystems rather than reactive intervention spaces.

This session highlights Gateway Community Charters’ approach to implementing the California Community Schools Partnership Program within a charter network. Presenters will share how GCC leverages CCSPP funding and long-standing community engagement practices to build sustainable, place-based community schools. Participants will explore GCC’s integrated model, including needs assessments, wraparound services, family and community engagement infrastructure, and career-connected learning pathways. The session will provide practical tools, strategies, and lessons learned for districts and charter organizations seeking to authentically center community voice, align systems, and scale community schools work without adding new initiatives on top of existing structures.

This session explores how administrators can intentionally recruit, support, and retain new CTE teachers by creating the conditions for success. Participants will deepen their understanding of CTE credentialing requirements, the realities of transitioning from industry to the classroom, and the unique mentoring needs of CTE educators. The session highlights the administrator’s role in supporting mentors and building a coordinated team of supports. Practical strategies will be shared to strengthen onboarding, mentorship, and retention of CTE teachers in our communities.

Designed specifically for California school and district administrators, this session supports leaders in planning coherent, sustainable professional learning that strengthens literacy instruction over time. Participants will examine the California Policy Timeline to understand legislative and policy shifts shaping literacy priorities and professional learning decisions statewide. Leaders will build clarity around evidence-based reading practices and their implications for adult learning and instructional improvement. The session explores best practices for identifying what educators already know about structured literacy and leveraging that knowledge to design purposeful, differentiated professional learning. Leaders will also learn how to strategically align current and upcoming California literacy legislation, professional learning funding, and the anticipated ELA adoption to reduce initiative overload and create lasting impact.