CSBA AECCSBA AEC
2025-12-03 16:00:00
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  • Conference
    • Ancillary Events
    • Housing
    • Code of Conduct
    • Notices
    • Accessibility
    • Shuttle and Transportation
    • Visit Sacramento
    • Presenters
    • AEC Planning Committee
  • Registration
    • Attendee FAQ’s
    • CCSA Annual Workshop
  • Program
    • Meal Functions
    • CSBA’s Golden Bell Awards Ceremony and Reception
    • Pre-conference Activities
    • Executive Assistant One-Day Program
    • Student Board Member One-Day Program
      • Student Supervision Policy & FAQ’s
  • Student Entertainment
    • Student Call for Proposals
  • Exhibitors
    • Exhibitor FAQs
Home / Call for Proposals

Call for Proposals

Share your expertise at AEC!

CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show is the premier platform to showcase the innovative programs and successful strategies making a difference in your district or county office. Governance leaders across the state want to hear from you!

To be considered, proposal applications must meet all the requirements and criteria outlined below. The call for proposals is now open!

Submission deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025

Prep Sheet Submit a workshop proposal
presenter speaking at CSBA's Annual Education Conference and Tradeshow

Update on Conference Programming: Table Talks

As we continue to enhance our conference experience, we have made the decision to remove Table Talks from this year’s programming. This change reflects our commitment to providing the most engaging and effective learning opportunities for our attendees.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to delivering dynamic sessions that foster meaningful discussions and valuable takeaways.

Proposal Requirements and Submission Process

Workshops

  • Workshops must be approved by the school district or county office of education being represented. Should CSBA hear from a school district or county office of education that a submission was not approved, the proposal will not be accepted for consideration.
  • Proposals must include at least one board member, superintendent, or other staff of a current (2024-25 and 2025-26) CSBA member school district or county office of education on the panel; no exceptions will be made. Local educational agencies (LEA) who are not members of CSBA are not eligible to participate.
  • CSBA does not accept workshop proposals for sessions intended to sell a product or service.
  • Panelists should represent the diversity of our state, districts and counties of varying sizes, and varied points of view.
  • Panelists should practice their presentations and prepare visually informative materials. Our attendees absorb a great deal of information at our conference. Thus, all panelists are strongly urged to keep their comments brief, back all claims with data, and stay tightly aligned with their session topic.
  • Workshops will be scheduled in 65-minute time blocks and may be scheduled at any time during conference dates at the discretion of CSBA. The total presentation time for all panelists may not exceed 50 minutes, to reserve time for questions from our audience. Thus, each panelist should expect to present for a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Workshops are limited to four (4) panel members, including the moderator. No exceptions will be made. The moderator is required to proactively manage the time for each panelist, field questions from the audience, and keep the session moving forward. Multi-district panels are encouraged.
  • The submitter, moderator and presenters will be notified in mid-July whether a proposal has been selected for inclusion in the conference program.
  • Panels must be finalized by Friday, August 29, 2025. Presenters will receive a complimentary, non-transferable, one-day pass for the day of their presentation. If they wish to attend the entire conference, they must register at the full conference rate. Registration opens on Tuesday, June 10. Accepted session presenter(s) are responsible for following all conference guidelines and deadlines.
  • Accepted session presenter(s) are responsible for their own travel and related conference expenses.

Proposal Criteria

The AEC planning committee is seeking proposals reflective of the current environment in which California’s schools operate. Proposals should provide relevant resources to advance the best interests of students and public education.

Workshops sessions help board members, superintendents, and other district and county office personnel learn about successful programs and how they can be replicated in other parts of California.

The following criteria will be equally weighed for each proposal:

  • Does the proposal clearly address challenges faced by conference attendees?
  • Does the proposal clearly articulate recommended actions attendees can take as a result of their learnings from the session?
  • Is the proposal well-planned and well-written, providing a clear and realistic picture of intended outcomes for our attendees?
  • Does the proposal reflect the interests of new, mid-career, or veteran education leaders from urban, suburban, small, or rural districts, or county offices of education?
  • Is the perspective of board members, the school governance team, and its policy role clearly present?
  • Is the proposal aligned with the respective conference strand?
  • Can the proposed solution be replicated and scaled across a variety of school settings?
  • Does the proposal address why participants need to have the proposed information and suggest the tools and strategies they will take with them?
  • Does the proposal address budget implications, cost savings, or value added?
  • Is the proposed topic timely, relevant, and unique?
  • Does the proposal clearly articulate data on results achieved over at least two (2) years, showcasing district and board expertise?
  • Does the proposal contain an innovative solution for a pressing issue relevant to our attendees?
  • Is each presenter(s) and the designated moderator experienced, knowledgeable, effective, and engaging?

Session Types

Workshops

Dive deep into specific themes or challenges featuring practical applications, facilitated discussions and collaborative learning opportunities.

  • Workshops will be scheduled in 65-minute time blocks and may be scheduled at any time during conference dates at the discretion of CSBA. The total presentation time for all panelists may not exceed 50 minutes, to reserve time for questions from our audience. Thus, each panelist should expect to present for a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Workshops are limited to four (4) panel members, including the moderator. No exceptions will be made. The moderator is required to proactively manage the time for each panelist, field questions from the audience, and keep the session moving forward. Multi-district panels are encouraged.

Conference Strands

Empowering Students in a Digital World

This strand highlights the importance of providing students with access to digital technology while providing guidance on how to use it responsibly and thoughtfully. Technology is integral to modern learning and this strand explores the opportunities technology offers for personalized learning, collaboration and innovation, while also addressing challenges such as the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, privacy, online bullying and legal considerations. Board members will gain insights into fostering responsible digital citizenship, understanding security risks and staying informed on emerging trends in TK-12 education.

Key Focus Areas:

Equitable access to digital technology; digital literacy and responsible use; cybersecurity and data privacy; personalized learning and collaboration; emerging technologies and trends in education

Example Workshop Topics:

Ensuring equitable access to technology; navigating the ethical use of AI in the classroom; safeguarding student data; empowering educators with adult digital literacy making technology work for all learners; fostering digital citizenship and academic integrity; the ole of technology in special education and inclusive learning; digital communications, and the role of technology in school culture; Esports and extended learning; the impact of smartphones on learning; building stronger computer science programs; new technology in the classroom

Fostering Strong Community Partnerships

This strand focuses on the essential role of school board members in fostering authentic and productive engagement with students, families and community partners. This engagement is key to building collaborative relationships that support student achievement, enhance school culture and create long-term positive impacts for students and their families. The strand emphasizes effective collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that the community plays an active role in educational outcomes.

Key Focus Areas:

Building and sustaining community relationships, inclusive engagement with families, cross-sector collaboration, advocacy for education funding and policy, leveraging media and communication, climate action and sustainability; long-term partnership development

Example Workshop Topics:

Engaging student voice in LCAP; building positive school culture; effective family engagement; local and grassroots advocacy; collaborating with nonprofits and corporations; marketing and promoting schools; legislative and political advocacy; climate resiliency and sustainability; school-based programs and parent training; strengthening school-community networks; building equitable partnerships with local government; developing community advisory councils; leveraging corporate Sponsorship

Holistic Health, Safety and Wellness

This strand focuses on creating supportive learning environments by addressing the physical, emotional and mental well-being of students and staff. It emphasizes the importance of school culture, campus security and wellness programs in ensuring the health and safety of all school community members. By fostering a safe, nurturing and respectful environment, schools can better support the whole student and staff, enhancing the learning experience and outcomes.

Key Focus Areas:

Student mental health, staff wellness, substance abuse prevention, safety and security, trauma-informed services, school-based health, LGBTQ support, implementing ethnic studies, cultural relevance, immigration and family safety

Example Workshop Topics:

Positive school climate; addressing chronic absenteeism; the role of school leaders in trauma-informed education; social-emotional learning; restorative practices; supporting students and staff in crisis; successful community school development; enhancing family and community partnerships

Pathways to College, Career and Beyond

This strand demonstrates how decision-making at the board level can create dynamic learning environments that support all students. Through a focus on funding, student achievement and college/career readiness, this strand explores policies and programs that ensure every student — regardless of background or circumstances — has access to a rigorous and supportive education.

Key Focus Areas:

Funding and resource allocation, student achievement and academic outcomes, college and career readiness, inclusive education and support

Example Workshop Topics:

Expanding college and career exposure through innovative TK-12 strategies; increasing access to dual and concurrent enrollment programs; using data to measure progress in math, literacy and other key areas; strengthening special education programs to ensure all students thrive; closing the digital divide by expanding broadband access; aligning Local Control and Accountability Plan goals, funding, and student outcomes; implementing Mutli-Tierd System of Supports for effective student interventions; maximizing extended learning and after-school opportunities; rethinking school discipline with positive behavior interventions; expanding access to quality transitional kindergarten and preschool programs; enhancing career technical education pathways to prepare students for the workforce; implementing ethnic studies with district best practices; strengthening bilingual education and pathways to the Seal of Biliteracy; and transforming successful alternative education programs (community day school, continuation schools, county programs, court schools etc.); military/ROTC programs

Strategic Governance for Student Success

This strand is designed to support school district and county board of education members in developing the leadership skills, qualities and techniques needed to foster a productive governance team. It emphasizes the board’s critical role in making informed decisions that align with the goal of student success while advocating for all students’ needs and ensuring equitable educational opportunities.

Key Focus Areas:

Leadership and decision-making, effective governance practices, accountability, policy and legal oversight, strategic planning, negotiations

Example Workshop Topics:

Board member roles and responsibilities; high-performing governance team; strategic planning and goal-setting; accountability for governance and leadership; navigating challenges for small and rural school districts; ethical and legal governance; superintendent contracts and evaluations; negotiations; building collaborative governance teams; enhancing board-staff relationships for student success; data-driven decision-making; fostering community engagement and support for district goals; leveraging advocacy to secure resources for student success; conflict resolution ; the role of equity in governance decisions

Strategies for Financial Resilience

This strand emphasizes the critical role of the board of trustees in providing comprehensive financial oversight and collaborating with the superintendent to ensure the effective management of district resources. Together, the governance team works to prioritize resources around district goals in the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), ensuring that all students, regardless of background, benefit from a rigorous, equitable education that prepares them for future success.

Key Focus Areas:

Declining enrollment, funding shortfalls; labor negotiations and collective bargaining, financial crises and deficit spending, natural disasters and facility needs, state and federal budget pressures, special education funding, budget transparency and communication

Example Workshop Topics:

Aligning budget priorities with LCAP goals; strategic budgeting in times of uncertainty; innovative revenue strategies; managing declining enrollment; understanding and addressing budget cuts; deficit spending; long-term financial planning; budget transparency and community trust; disaster preparedness and facility resilience: planning for the unexpected; sustainable special education funding; enrollment and attendance; fiscal planning and management; sustainability and facilities; special education and grant funding; collective bargaining; legal and crisis management

Presenter Types

Through the proposal submission process, you will be asked to designate different roles for those involved with each proposal. Descriptions for each role are listed below. We recommend that you take time to become familiar with the descriptions.

  • Submitter
  • Moderator
  • Presenter
  • Business Partner / Business Affiliate

Submitter

This person will not be considered part of the panel unless also designated as a moderator or presenter. Only one submitter per proposal will be allowed. The submitter will receive an update regarding session selection, while all other communications will be directed to the speakers confirmed for the panel.

Moderator

The moderator oversees the session development, communicates with CSBA staff, coordinates pre-conference preparations and acts as facilitator during the session on-site. Throughout the session, the moderator is required to proactively manage the time for each panelist, field questions from the audience, and keep the session moving forward.

The moderator will be the main point of contact for all conference-related correspondence between presenters and CSBA staff up to and through the Annual Education Conference and Trade Show. Only one moderator per proposal will be allowed. The moderator may also be the submitter. If there is only one presenter on the panel, they will be the moderator.

If your proposal is accepted, please note that CSBA sets each session with up to (4) total presenters, including the moderator. The moderator will be published in all conference materials along with the other presenters. The names of the moderator and presenters are listed in the AEC app, without reference to role.

Presenter

A presenter is a panelist. If a proposal is accepted, CSBA sets each session for up to (4) total presenters, including the moderator. Presenters are encouraged to funnel all communication with CSBA through their session’s moderator.

Business Partner / Business Affiliate

In order to ensure the highest-quality workshops are selected for the conference and to manage the total number of submissions for review, Business Partner and Affiliate companies are limited to (1) workshop proposal submission per conference strand, for a maximum of (6) total workshop proposal submissions. Please prioritize the topics you are most qualified to speak about and associate those with one of this year’s conference strands. All workshop proposals from Business Partner and Affiliate companies will be reviewed and ranked along with all other submissions based on their merit, and only selected proposals will be invited to participate at AEC.

Contact
  • California School Boards Association
    Association Education Department

    3251 Beacon Boulevard, West Sacramento, CA 95691
    (800) 266-3382  |  FAX: (916) 371-3407
Future Dates
  • 2026 AEC: Dec. 3-5 | San Diego, CA
  • 2027 AEC: Dec. 1-3 | Sacramento, CA
  • 2028 AEC: Nov. 30–Dec. 2 | Anaheim, CA
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