“Blazing New Trails: Innovation in Alternative Education”

WELCOME ATTENDEES!  Quick Links:

Full Schedule — view here on the page
Conference Notes for Attendees — please read
Schedule App for Attendees — find instructions to download and login
Notes for Speakers — find instructions to update your profile
Find the Latest Updates (top of page) | Awards Dinner (Friday) | Gala Dinner (Saturday) | Theme Days & Style Guide | Program Cover | Save the Date 2027

Scroll down to view the full schedule, or open the schedule in a new window. Click the date box at the top to see all activities for that day. Enjoy the Conference!

Conference Notes for Attendees

What you should know!

Attendee Check-in:

Pick up your badges at Check-in under your name. No paperwork needed. Our Check-in table will be located in one of the main foyers at the hotel venue starting Wednesday evening. The Check-in table will be available during select times throughout the weekend. A paid order with your attendee info means you are registered and will have a badge waiting for you. Find Conference details, updates and hotel address

About the Conference App for Attendees:

There will be a new interactive schedule app for 2026 (called “Whova”). Attendees will be provided access to the app to schedule your days and join events. You can use the app to set your schedule, select your seminars, read about speakers and exhibitors, share your bio, and interact with everyone.

For instructions to download the Whova app and connect with the CCEA Conference: Visit the app page here

Registered attendees will receive an email invite sent to the email address used to register them for the Conference. If you are attending, please check your inbox for the Whova invite. If you do not receive the invite, please check your “promo” folder and (in rare cases) your “junk” folder. We recommend you download the app once you receive the invite.

If you did not receive an invite to join the app, you can still download the app, find the CCEA Conference event, and log in.  For this to work, you must use the email address you registered for the Conference. If your email does not work, visit the Check-in table to get your badge and get help connecting with the app.

The is no invite code — if you received an invite code, that will not provide access.  Your email must be granted access from your registration.

You are not required to download the Whova app in order to participate with the Conference. We have provided every attendee with a special badge for access, and you can find the complete schedule above on this page. Your badge and the schedule will still let you enjoy the Conference. The app is provided for interaction and convenience.

If prompted for a password following your email invite (required to connect), use this:

Notes for Speakers / Presenters:

Presenter profiles in the Whova app have extra “bio” and profile fields, so you can share more with your audience.  You can include more description of your seminar, add article links, and include presentation materials for download.  We recommend uploading your docs to a Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Sharepoint folder (whatever you use everyday) and include the link toward the top of your profile.

The easiest way to update your profile is by filling out the “speaker form” that app provides. You may receive an email from the CCEA account at Whova, reminding you to update your speaker profile.

Attendees can scan your badge to find your profile, or look you up in the app, and connect with you or download docs.  Likewise, you can interact with your audience in the same way using the app.  You can request feedback, make community posts and create polls within the app.

Featured Schools Visit Bus Trip (Thursday):

Pickup is 8am outside the front entrance of the Conference hotel venue. Buses will depart at 8:30am. There will be 6-8 buses that will have pre-arranged schedules of school visits in varying sequences. The locations and bus schedules are subject to change. If there is space available on the day of, you may register in person with a credit card. The bus trip to the Getty Museum has been cancelled. If you purchased the Getty trip, we’ve automatically transferred you to join the Featured Schools trip instead — we will hold your spot for you and you can check-in with the group normally. Sign up and info

Meet and Greet Party (Thursday):

Big social event with food, games, giveaways and a no host bar. Thursday, April 30, 2026, starts 6:30pm. Location: Flamingo Lawn. All Conference attendees are invited to join us at the Town & Country resort for some fun and networking. View party info

Conference Theme Days:

Check out the Conference Style Guide by clicking the box on the Conference page.

Professional Awards and Exemplary Programs Dinner (Friday):

Friday, May 1st @ Los Angeles Marriott Burbank, starting at 6:30pm. Awards include Exemplary Programs, Superintendent of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Officer of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, Counselor or Support Person of the Year, and our Student Essay winners. Exemplary Programs will be featured. Professional awards and the exemplary programs showcase will be presented in person, for the 2025-2026 school year. Dinner with a speaker, special guests, awards for personnel, essays, student art, Region Basket, Vendor’s Raffle/Auction Prizes. Attire is evening casual. Venue address: 2500 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California 91505. There will be a security / check-in area — as you arrive, please give the security staff your name and they will check you in. Please note that the Awards dinner is an add-on this year, and does not come included with Conference registration. Purchase tickets and tables

Model Schools Awards Gala (Saturday):

The awards dinner will be Saturday, May 2, 2026 @ Autry Museum of the American West. At the Gala dinner, newly-selected Model Schools for 2026 will be awarded and recognized in person. Busing from the hotel to the gala will start at 5:30pm; President’s reception 6:30pm; dinner at 7pm, with the awards ceremony to follow, ending around 10pm (or later). Attire is evening casual. There will be a security / check-in area — as you arrive, please give the security staff your name and they will check you in. Please note that the Gala dinner is an add-on this year, and does not come included with Conference registration. Venue address: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (in Griffith Park across from the Los Angeles Zoo) | Get directions | Venue phone: 323-667-2000. Purchase tickets and tables

Student Cover Design

Congratulations to our student design contest winner is Yalixza Y. Lopez-Martinez from Phoenix High School. The art appears on the 2026 Conference program, shown below. View full artwork

Save the Date for 2027

Conference theme: “Game On: Level Up for Alternative Education”
To be held: April 21 – 25, 2027 @ Visalia, CA | Event details
Location: Visalia Marriott Convention Center — 300 South Court, Visalia, CA 93291
Registration: opens September 2026. Get an online discount by February 1, 2027!

The post Conference 2026 Schedule and Speakers appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

2025 Conference Schedule: “Surf’s Up! Riding the Waves of Opportunity”

Or, open the full schedule app in a new window.  The latest details will be updated here.

Check in as an attendee by logging into the sched.com app below.  Please note: this is a separate app from the CCEA+ website, managed by our organization’s Conference team.  Want to join seminars and other discussions?  Sign up (or sign in) to the “Sched” app, using the options below. This is a private event, attendees must have a badge to participate. Some mobile users will need to click the “Proceed” button first, then enter this password:

Conference Notes for Attendees

Main Conference page

Conference Attendees: Pick up your badges at Check-in under your name. No paperwork needed. Our Check-in table will be located in one of the main foyers at the hotel venue starting Thursday evening. The Check-in table will be available during select times throughout the weekend. All attendee names and payments were due in hand by 4/10/24 — a paid order with your attendee info means you are registered and will have a badge waiting for you. For registrations after this date, we are working to update our records and make any approved changes. Other Conference details, updates and hotel address

Model School Visit Trip: Pickup is 8am outside the front entrance of the Conference hotel venue. Buses will depart at 8:30am. There will be 3-4 buses that will have pre-arranged schedules of school visits in varying sequences. The locations and bus schedules are subject to change. If there is space available on the day of, you may register in person with a credit card. View details and agenda updates

Meet and Greet Party: Big social event with food, games, giveaways and a no host bar. Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 7pm – 9pm. Location: Flamingo Lawn. All Conference attendees are invited to join us at the Town & Country resort for some fun and networking. View party info

Conference Theme Days: Check out the Conference Style Guide!

Model Schools Awards Gala: The awards dinner will be Saturday, April 26th @ USS Midway aircraft carrier on the water. At the Gala dinner, newly-selected Model Schools for 2025 will be awarded and recognized in person. Busing from the hotel to the gala will start at 5:30pm; President’s reception 6:30pm; dinner at 7pm, with the awards ceremony to follow, ending around 10pm (or later). Attire is evening casual. There will be a security / check-in area — as you arrive, please give the security staff your name and they will check you in. Purchase tickets and tables

Enjoy the Conference!

2025 CCEA+ Conference Program Cover Artwork

Artist and design winner: Sienna Olsen, Capistrano Union High School

Save the Dates for 2026!

April 30 – May 3, 2026 @ Los Angeles, CA | Get Early Event Details
Venue: Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel & Convention Center
Address: 2500 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California 91505

Get a special discount by paying online before February 1, 2026.

Make plans to join us again next year!

The post Conference 2025 Schedule and Speakers appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

2024 Conference Schedule: Reaching for the Stars

Or, open the full schedule app in a new window.  The latest details will be updated here.

Check in as an attendee by logging into the sched.com app below.  Please note: this is a separate app from the CCEA+ website, managed by our organization’s Conference team.  Want to join seminars and other discussions?  Sign up (or sign in) to the “Sched” app, using the options below. This is a private event, attendees must have a badge to participate. Some mobile users will need to click the “Proceed” button first, then enter this password:

Conference Notes for Attendees

Main Conference page

Conference Attendees: Pick up your badges at Check-in under your name. No paperwork needed. Our Check-in table will be located at the Academy Foyer at the Burbank Marriott Hotel’s convention center (the Conference hotel venue). All attendee names and payments were due in hand by 4/19/24 — a paid order with your attendee info means you are registered and will have a badge waiting for you. Other Conference details, updates and hotel address

Model School Visit Trip: Pickup is 8am outside the front entrance of the Conference hotel venue. Buses will depart at 8:30am. There will be 2-3 buses that will have pre-arranged schedules of school visits in varying sequences. The locations and bus schedules are subject to change. If there is space available on the day of, you may register in person with a credit card. Or register online by 4/24/24. View details and agenda

Meet and Greet Party: Big social event with food, games, giveaways and a no host bar. Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 6:30pm – 9pm. All Conference attendees are invited to join us at the Burbank Marriott Hotel for some fun and networking. View party info

Conference Theme Days: Check out the Conference Style Guide!

Model Schools Awards Gala: Please read all the Gala attendee instructions below! The awards dinner will be Saturday, April 27th @ Universal Studios Hollywood (Sound Stage 15). At the Gala dinner, newly-selected Model Schools for 2024 will be awarded and recognized in person. Busing from the hotel to the gala starts as early as 3pm; President’s reception 6:30pm; dinner at 7:30pm, with the awards ceremony to follow, ending around 10pm. Attire is evening casual. Gala guest instructions

Enjoy the Conference!

2024 CCEA+ Conference Program Cover Artwork

Created by Angelina Sanchez, Valley High School

Save the Dates for 2025!

April 24-27, 2025 @ Town & Country Resort in San Diego, CA
Venue address: 500 Hotel Circle, North, San Diego, CA 92108

Get a special discount by paying online before February 1, 2025.

Make plans to join us again next year!

The post Conference 2024 Schedule and Speakers appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

2023 Conference Schedule: “Taking Off Into the Future”

Or, open the full schedule app in a new window.  Details will be updated here.

Check in as an attendee by logging into the sched.com app below.  Please note: this is a separate app from the CCEA+ website, managed by our organization’s Conference team.  Want to join seminars and other discussions?  Sign up (or sign in) to the “Sched” app, using the options below. Please note: attendees must have a badge to participate. Some mobile users will need to click the “Proceed” button first, then enter the password.

Conference Notes for Attendees

Main Conference page

Attendees: Pick up your badges at Check-in under your name.

Gala Guests: Check in at the door with your name on our guest list.

Meet and Greet Party: Thursday, April 27, 2023, from 7 – 9pm. All Conference attendees are invited to join us in the Catalina Room at the Conference venue.

Enjoy the Conference!

2023 CCEA+ Conference Program Cover Artwork

Created by Casey Andres Ruiz, WASCO Independence High School

Save the Date for 2024!

The 2024 State Conference will be April 25 – 28 in Los Angeles, California. The Gala awards dinner for 2024 will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024. Get Details for 2024

Get a special discount by paying online before March 1st.

Make plans to join us again next year!

The post Conference 2023 Schedule and Speakers appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

2022 Conference: Grand Prix of Education

Cover art by student design winner (above): Raymond Elizondo Vargas, Maple High School
– Program coming soon –

Or, open the full schedule app in a new window.  Details will be updated here.

You can check in as an attendee by logging into the sched.com app below.  Please note: this is a separate app from the CCEA+ website, managed by our organization’s Conference team.  Want to join seminars and other discussions?  Sign in the “Sched” app, using the “Sign up” link below.

Conference Notes for Attendees

Main Conference page

Attendees:  Pick up your badges at Check-in.

Conference Weekend:  General times — here’s the summary: the Model School visit trip begins at 8am on Thursday, May 5th, with an MCHS application seminar at 3pm the same day. Early check-in for the weekend Conference starts Thursday at 5pm, with an “Ignite Your Mind” meet and greet party starting at 7pm. Registration, buffet breakfast, and activities begin early Friday morning (May 6th) with seminars and events throughout the day. The Gala dinner begins with a reception in the evening at 7pm (May 6th). All day Saturday seminars and activities, with the Professional Awards lunch at 11:45AM. The Conference goes to around midday on Sunday (May 8th). The full schedule will be available late Spring 2022 in an interactive app for attendees. You can view this schedule of events (PDF coming soon) with breakout sessions, presentations and other details as of 4/25/22 — however, the “Sched” app is the most up-to-date! Read more event updates

Meet and Greet Party “Ignite Your Mind”: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us with music, games, hors d’oeuvres, prizes and networking on Thursday, May 5th. Dawson Room, Renaissance Hotel. Get here early, 7pm. Free for Conference attendees! Read more

Model Schools Awards Gala: Friday, May 6th @ Aquarium of the Pacific. At the Gala dinner, newly-selected Model Schools from 2022 will be awarded and recognized in person. Attire is evening casual. Tentative schedule: busing from the hotel to the gala starts at 6:30pm; President’s reception 7pm in the upper room gallery; dinner at 8pm on the main floor; awards at 9pm. Three course meal! Aquarium closes at 6pm; includes admission to gallery, you can wander around the aquarium on arrival. Get details and guest tickets 

Exemplary Programs and Professional Awards Lunch: Saturday, May 7th @ Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, from 11:45 – 1:45pm. Awards include Exemplary Programs, Superintendent of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Counselor or Support Person of the Year, and our Student Essay winners. Get guest tickets 

View/Download Conference Program | PDF format — coming soon
Please see the interactive “Sched” app above for the most up-to-date info.

Enjoy the Conference!

Plan Ahead for 2023!

The 2023 CCEA Plus State Conference will be April 27-30 @ Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel, San Diego CA. The Gala Awards Dinner for 2023 will be held at the Berkeley Maritime Museum. Make plans to join us again next year!

The post Conference 2022 Schedule and Speakers appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

Or, open the full schedule app in a new window.  Details will be updated here.

You can check in as an attendee by logging into the sched.com app below.  Please note: this is a separate app from the CCEA+ website, managed by our organization’s Conference team.  Want to join seminars and other discussions?  Sign in the “Sched” app, using the “Sign up” link below.

Conference program cover credit: student design contest winner Noe Barreto from Jamison High School (Lemoore, CA)

Attendees:  Pick up your badges at Check-in.

Conference Weekend:  General times — early check-in starts Thursday, September 16th at 5pm. Registration, buffet breakfast and activities start early Friday morning with the Gala dinner in the evening (Sept. 17th); then all day Saturday with the Professional Awards lunch at 11:45AM; and the Conference goes to around midday on Sunday (Sept. 19th).  You can view this schedule of events (PDF) with breakout sessions, presentations and other details as of 8/31/21 — however, the “Sched” app is the most up-to-date!

Model School Gala, Sept. 17th:  Schedule — busing from the hotel to the Midway starts at 5:45pm; President’s reception starts 6:30pm; dinner at 7pm. Attire is evening casual.

View/Download Conference Program | PDF format
Please see the interactive “Sched” app above for the most up-to-date info.

Enjoy the Conference!

The post Conference 2021 Schedule and Speakers appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

It is with deep regret that CCEA+ must postpone the annual Conference from April to September 2021. Even though we have made tremendous strides to create, prepare and structure a conference with your health as our top priority, San Diego County health officials and the Port District will prevent CCEA+ from hosting the events in April as planned. To further complicate their latest rules, local officials have no guidance from the state on how to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 for professional gatherings.

Therefore, the CCEA+ board, in concert with state and local officials, have decided to move the conference weekend to the fall. The new Conference dates will be September 16 – 19, 2021 in San Diego, CA.

We are now working through the ramifications of this devastating news, and have already taken immediate action to reschedule and contract the new dates at the same venues, including the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel and the USS Midway. We understand the inconvenience this brings to those of you who have already made arrangements to be with us. As a member and a full-time educator traveling to San Diego, I understand that personally. We hope that you can understand the gravity and impact of the situation for our nonprofit organization and our Alt. Ed. community.

As before, ALL conference purchases and Model School Gala reservations will be honored and credited automatically for the new dates, with no further action required by our members and school districts. All deposits for the CCEA+ Model School Gala and the conference will be transferred to the new dates. Existing hotel reservations will be automatically cancelled and can be re-booked at your convenience. We’ll have more detail on the Conference page for you.

We are working hard in the background to bring you the best experience possible this September, with seminars, speakers, break-out sessions, camaraderie and fun overlooking the ocean. We will be able to celebrate our 2020 and 2021 Model Schools and professional awards in person, and can’t wait to see you then.

Thank you all in advance for your understanding of this matter. The nature of this pandemic and the dynamics of reopening have been challenging to say the least. We sincerely appreciate your flexibility and patience while we navigate the mandates and changes due to Covid-19 as CCEA+ relies on the support of our members.

We want to thank you for the tremendous support you have shown CCEA+, especially over the last 12 unprecedented months. We continue to strive toward our shared purpose — to advocate for the interests of alternative education, students and staff. I know the Alt. Ed. community is eager to share our best practices and network once more. Until we are able to meet again, we wish all our members a safe reopening of schools.

Sincerely,
Jerry Abrica
President, CCEA Plus

The post Conference 2021 Rescheduled to September 16-19 appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.

Become a Model School: Open Now!

The Model School program is still on this year. Application dates have been changed slightly. Intent to submit is due by Oct. 15th. Submit an application to become a “Model School” for 2020- 2021, sponsored by the California Department of Education.

Application Timeline:

• October 15, 2020 — “Intent to Submit” survey due.
• October 22, 2020 — Applications due.

Application 2020-2021 | Download forms (apply now)

2021 CCEA+ Conference: April 15 – 18 in San Diego

Registration is now open for the 2021 State Conference in San Diego. Enjoy three amazing days of workshops, seminars, student art shows, awards celebrations, and a model school visit.

To celebrate the combination of two years of schools and awards, we’ve booked the historic USS Midway aircraft carrier for a gigantic dinner celebration on the water. Get $40 off right now!*

* If purchased before March 17th (online only)

USS Midway historic aircraft carrier on the water – CCEA Plus Model School Awards event venue

Model Schools Awards Gala: Friday, April 16th

The dinner will be held aboard the historic USS Midway. Transportation is provided to and from the hotel venue at no extra charge. At the Gala dinner, newly-selected Model Schools from both 2020 and 2021 will be awarded and recognized. Get tickets

Exemplary Programs and Professional Awards Lunch: Saturday, April 17

From 11:45 – 1:45PM @ Harbor Island Ballroom, Sheraton San Diego (the Conference venue). Lunch with keynote speaker Jack O’Connell, including awards for personnel, essays, art, region basket, vendor’s raffle/auction prizes. Both awards from 2020 and 2021 will be featured. Get tickets

Did You Know?

Schools and leaders: the CCEA conference can be subsidized by utilizing Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) monies delegated to your respective sites. Bring your team to the conference and grow in all areas related to increasing academic achievement and student performance. Talk to our reps for help

CCEA+ 2021 Recognition Opportunities

There are amazing things happening at all our California schools and in alternative education! We need to get the word out and share what we are doing and recognize our dedicated staff and students.

  Nominate a Colleague for an Award

Honor the hard work of your fellow educators, admin and support staff. Make a nomination

  Exemplary Programs Award

CCEA Plus celebrates outstanding programs and projects that support “at-risk” students. Submit a program

  Call for Conference Presenters

Are you doing great things in alternative education? Submit your proposal for a workshop, or consider leading an academic open forum discussion in your content area. Sign up

  Student Essay Contest

The purpose of this contest is to recognize our outstanding students and their writing. Please consider entering your top student’s essay. Submit an essay

Time to Renew Your Membership!

Renew your membership for the 2020-2021 school year! If you’re not a member yet, now is the time to get involved.

New to CCEA Plus: Community Day Schools

In our efforts to expand support for alternative education in California, CCEA Plus now supports and advocates for Community Day Schools. We’ll be developing new programs, content and professional development for the 2020-2021 school year. Come to the Conference, create a seminar, or tell us about your program! Get in touch to learn more

A Special Message from Dan Sackheim, CDE Program Consultant and Liaison for Continuation Education and Community Day Schools:

Many of you may already know me, as educational options educators often wear multiple hats. I am honored to have been the CDE community day school program consultant from nearly the inception, being hired as soon as the position was authorized in 1997. One of my first steps in that role was to find strong field experts, with whom I built the Community Day School Network (CDSN) professional association, to ensure that we all benefited from a collective wisdom. In recent months, the CDSN was invited and merged into CCEA to form CCEA Plus. Soon after, I was assigned as the CDE program consultant for continuation education.

I am still learning, but am not fully new to continuation education, having served as a member of review teams for Model Continuation High Schools. Additionally, at times, I have been the CDE program lead for many other types of educational options schools and programs share the same concerns and supportive methodologies for supporting our students, including opportunity education, county court and community schools, alternative schools of choice and independent study. I also share leadership at CDE regarding asset-based behavioral strategies and supports, and for addressing absenteeism and barriers to attendance.

I look forward to meeting you at conferences, in workshops and webinars, through my email and listserve, and any other way I can learn from and promote your wisdom and make resources and information available to you.

Webinar from AltEd advocacy:

K-12 Politics and Tech Update: October 1st 2020

The post Last Chance to Apply to be a Model School, Conference Updates, New Opportunities and More: Fall 2020 Newsletter appeared first on CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus.