Schools Chief O'Connell Recognized as ''Charter School Supporter of the Year''

O'Connell's Leadership Critical to the Growth of High-Quality
Charter Schools
SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
The California Charter Schools Association today recognized
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell
as "Charter School Supporter of the Year" annual Hart Vision Award
recipient. O'Connell accepted his award prior to his keynote speech at
the 15th Annual California Charter Schools Conference in Sacramento.

O'Connell was granted the award based on his long-time policy
support for high-quality charter schools on behalf of the movement.
Back in 2003, O'Connell first created the California Department of
Education Charter Schools Division which focuses on oversight and
accountability for charter schools. His department oversaw the
administration of the federal Public Charter Schools Grant Program,
whose purpose is to provide start-up resources for community groups to
open high-quality charter schools and to share best practices
developed within charter schools with the broader public school
system.

O'Connell has also stood for high-quality charter schools. His
actions ensured that charter schools could become eligible for the
California Distinguished Schools and Blue Ribbon Schools awards, and
he worked closely with the California Charter Schools Association to
address a small number of charter schools that were violating the
public trust.

In addition, O'Connell has worked diligently to break down certain
inequities that charter schools face, including lack of access to
adequate facilities. O'Connell's department worked hard to ensure that
Proposition 39 was fairly implemented from a regulatory stance. He
also ensured that charter schools had adequate representation on his
P-16 commission, which addresses statewide educational issues.

"State Superintendent O'Connell has been a strong advocate for the
expansion of high-quality charter schools as a way to boost student
achievement in our public school system," said Caprice Young,
president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association.
"O'Connell's bold leadership has been absolutely critical to breaking
down barriers and allowing high-quality charter schools to thrive. It
is our pleasure to award Superintendent O'Connell with our 'Charter
School Supporter of the Year' award."

Established in 1995, the Hart Vision Awards were created in honor
of retired California Senator and former California Secretary of
Education Gary Hart. During his tenure as legislator, Hart authored
California's charter school legislation. For this reason, the
California Charter Schools Association honors his legacy by presenting
annual awards to charter educators for their contributions to
educational reform and improved student achievement. Since its
inception, the Association has presented close to 50 Hart Vision
Awards to California charter schools.

About the California Charter Schools Association

The California Charter Schools Association is the membership and
professional organization serving 687 charter public schools that
serve an estimated 240,000 charter school students in the state of
California. The Association's mission is to improve student
achievement by supporting and expanding California's quality charter
public school movement.

California Charter Schools Association
Julie Cruit, 415-356-1200 x 402 (Director of Marketing)
or
Larson Communications
Gary L. Larson, 415-722-0127

Copyright Business Wire 2008