WATCH FOR FURTHER E-MAILS ABOUT CONFERENCE ON THE CCAC LIST SERVE
2009 CCAC CONFERENCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Why Should I Attend Conference?
Fall Conference is your best one-stop opportunity to learn about new developments in the field so you can better serve
your credentialed staff or students and improve your professional knowledge and practices. Particularly this year when
state and federal legislative mandates have the potential for impact on our workday lives and our abilities to provide the
best possible services to our constituency groups, Fall Conference may represent the one single time where you may
meet with the people who have the answers to your questions. Whether you are from a School District, County Office or
Institution of Higher Education (IHE) there will be numerous sessions that will appeal to you. More than seventy sessions
and workshops will be offered, covering all aspects of teacher certification and credentialing. Since Conference is co-
sponsored by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the California Department of Education, the
presenters will be knowledgeable CTC and CDE staff and veteran CCAC members with whom you can share field-based
experiences.
When and where is the Conference?
The CCAC Fall 2009 Conference begins on Tuesday, October 13th at 12:30 p.m. with certification workshops and ends
on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at noon. The Conference will once again be held at the DoubleTree Hotel, 2001 Point West
Way in Sacramento. The hotel phone number is 916-929-8855.
When may I register for the Conference?
A Conference Registration form is available on the CCAC website: http://www.teamccac.net . It is STRONGLY
encouraged to register by the PRIORITY registration postmark deadline (at a lower fee) of Saturday, August 15. This
means your registration form and check must be postmarked on or before August 15, 2009. The FINAL registration date
(with a higher fee) is Tuesday, September 1. And this means your registration form and check must be postmarked on or
before Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Walk-in or late registration cannot be accommodated. Registration must be
postmarked by September 1 in order to attend conference.
There are two additional registration related forms on the CCAC website (www.teamccac.net ) that allow for any
necessary registration changes: The Conference Registration Cancellation and Refund Request Form and The
Conference Substitution form. Both have instructions on the forms, and are required to keep order in the registration
process and to allow your all-volunteer committee to plan for conference.
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What if I am newly hired into the field of Credentialing AFTER September 1 ?
The CCAC Fall Conference is an excellent opportunity to acquire basic and current trainings in California credentialing.
Contact the Conference Chair, Peggy Smith Andersen at 805-756-7189 if you are new to the profession and wish to
attend conference. She will ask for verification of your new hire status as a part of the late-registration process.
Where should I send the registration?
For purposes of annual CCAC Conference registration, the address does not remain static. It changes every two years
almost without fail. This past year, we noticed that many of the district and county purchasing/business offices that were
submitting payments for conference registrations for their staff members did not realize this and change the address in
their databases. Consequently, we had quite a number of registrations that were sent to an address that was over 3-6
years defunct. Some checks were returned to the sender, and some were “lost”. This resulted in late registration fees
being charged for some, and for those members for whom we never received the registrations, they were unable to attend
because registrations cannot be accepted after the late registration deadline.
When you receive the registration information please note any change of address for 2009. If you forward the form to
another office for issuance of the fees and mailing, be proactive in bringing the correct address to their attention. CCAC
cannot accommodate walk-in registrations, nor can we accept registration forms and fees mailed after the late registration
deadline.
Can I register at the conference?
No, it is not possible to register at the conference. You must have registered by September 1, 2009 (postmark
date) in order to attend conference. Walk-in or late registration cannot be accommodated. The lower registration fee is
assessed for those registering on or before August 15, 2009. The all-volunteer conference planning committee spends
the entire year planning, ordering supplies and printing materials for conference. The number of materials prepared is
based on the number registered for conference by postmark date of September 1. Therefore late registration, which is
postmarked after September 1, or walk ins at the conference simply cannot be accommodated. We appreciate your
advance planning as much as you appreciate that of your conference volunteers.
Why can't I pay with a purchase order, a credit card or paypal?
CCAC is a non-profit, volunteer organization and we do not have the ability or resources necessary to support an
accounting operation that could support the use of purchase orders, paypal or credit cards. So please make sure your
check, or money order is payable to “CCAC” and is included when you mail your registration. Also, please note that all
registrations must be POSTMARKED BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 and sent to this address: CCAC Conference
Registration, c/o Linda Hunt,. P.O. Box 9655, Redlands, CA 92375. Individuals who submit and then cancel
personal checks will be held responsible for bank transaction fees incurred by CCAC as a result of that action.
When may I pick up my materials?
The Conference Registration Desk will be staffed by conference volunteers during the following times:
Tuesday, October 13: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14: 7:00 to 7:45 a.m.
12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 15: 7:00 to 7:45 a.m.
The Conference Registrar will be available to answer questions about registration during the following times:
Tuesday, October 13: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14: 7:00 to 7:45 a.m.
Thursday, October 15: 7:00 to 7:45 a.m.
How do I reserve a hotel room for Conference?
As soon as you are certain of the dates you will be attending Conference, call the hotel reserve a room. The conference
room rate for 2009 is $127.00 per night. If you do not have a reservation currently and cannot schedule one at the
DoubleTree at this time, please call our affiliate hotel, the Hilton Sacramento Arden West. The room rate at the Hilton
Sacramento Arden West is also $127.00 per night. And when making reservations use the Code “CAC.” Please try to
not reserve more rooms than you will need, as cancelled rooms are not returned to the conference block.
CCAC hires bus service between the hotels (with scheduled stops at Arden Mall) during the conference schedule except
during the CTC tours on Tuesday morning. A listing of area hotels will be posted to the CCAC listserve.
Host Hotel: DoubleTree Hotel
2001 Point West Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
916-929-8855
Affiliate Hotel: Hilton Sacramento Arden West
2200 Harvard Street
Sacramento, CA 95815
916-922-4700
Reservations Policies for 2009
In order to manage the hotel room blocks more efficiently and to better determine the exact number of attendees at
conference, a number of changes in the reservations procedures have been adopted. 1) The hotels will not be accepting
multiple reservations by one person. This means that only one person can reserve a room for conference. 2) If a room is
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canceled prior to the cut-off date (of Friday, September 18 ) there is no charge, however, if a room is canceled after the
th
cut-off date (Friday, September 18 ) then a non-refundable one-night charge is assessed to the credit card. This is the
credit card used to guarantee the reservation at the time the reservation was made.
What Happens if I Have to Cancel the Reservation?
If you will be unable to attend Conference, please try to find someone else attending conference who can use your hotel
reservation. Contact the hotel IMMEDIATELY with your registration confirmation number, either to change the name on
the reservation or to cancel the reservation. The DoubleTree Hotel has instituted a $50.00 early departure charge to those
who decide to leave their room earlier then expected. This is levied only if you do not modify your exit date upon arrival.
If your plans have changed at the last minute, be sure to let the hotel know at check-in or you will be charged the early
departure fee upon check-out.
This policy has been instituted by the DoubleTree to assist CCAC with managing the number of reserved rooms for
conference and to prevent CCAC from being assessed a multi-thousand dollar fee for a drop in attendance.
What if I have a reservation at the Hilton and would like to switch to the DoubleTree?
If you are unable to reserve a room at the DoubleTree contact the Hilton Sacramento Arden West to make a reservation.
If you then wish to try and secure a room at the DoubleTree, contact your colleagues to determine if anyone has a room at
the DoubleTree they will not be using. Obtain that individual’s DoubleTree confirmation number. With that number,
contact the Double Tree and request a name and credit card change for the room assigned to that particular confirmation
number. The confirmation number will remain the same. Carefully record for your own records this CONFIRMATION
NUMBER. Once the change has been made, e-mail the individual who offered you their room and confirm the change.
Give him or her the date and time of the transaction. Be sure and cancel your room at the Hilton or offer it to someone
who has been unable to obtain a hotel reservation for conference. If you do not cancel your reservation at the Hilton your
room reservation your credit card may still be charged.
What happens if I have to Change a Reservation Once I Have Checked In?
The DoubleTree Hotel and the Hilton Sacramento Arden West have instituted a policy regarding those who decide to
leave their room earlier than expected. Once you have made a reservation at the DoubleTree and you choose to cancel
your reservation prior to the cut-off date then you will not be charged This charge is levied only if you do not modify your
exit date upon arrival. If your plans have changed at the last minute, be sure to let the hotel know at check-in. There is a
per night penalty charged for early departure.
Why can't we get more rooms at the DoubleTree?
With more than 750 members attending the Conference each year, no hotel in Sacramento can offer us enough rooms at
conference rates for all our members. Since the Hilton Sacramento Arden West is a partner hotel with the DoubleTree, we
have arranged for a block of overflow rooms there. We hope to be able to place most CCAC Conference attendees in the
same part of the Hilton Sacramento Arden West property. This will be easier to accomplish if, when you check-in, you are
prepared to wait for one of the block of rooms to be ready. Bell service is available at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West.
Please note that shuttle bus service is hired by CCAC between the two hotels throughout the conference schedule except
during the CTC tours on Tuesday morning. Stops at the Arden Mall will be provided after 10:00 a.m. each day (but not
before in order to assure that conference participants are able to get to their sessions).
What is a Session or Workshop?
Sessions and workshops cover a specific area in credentialing and usually last about an hour. The most significant topics
are offered more than once and if at all possible, are offered at least once on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday morning opens with a general session featuring a keynote speaker, conference announcements, and
introductions.
What is a Training Session?
A Training Session is geared toward a specific audience. Training Sessions, which begin on Tuesday, are hands-on
activities including presentations from experienced Credential Analysts and CTC staff and suggestions for skill
development and integration into the daily operations and functions of Credential Analysts. The New Certification
Orientation and Peer Networking is offered for credential personnel with 0-1 year experience (see information below) and
the Credential Academy (see information below) is offered for credential personnel with 1-3 years experience. Topics
included in the Credential Academy change year to year so the session may be repeated. Sign up for one of these
informative training sessions on the Conference Registration Form. A Best Practices Session is offered on Tuesday for
experienced Credential Analysts to meet with other Credential Analysts and CTC staff to have more specific questions
answered.
How can I get the most out of Conference?
Though most sessions will be repeated, it cannot be guaranteed that all topics will be available when you want them. If
you are attending with co-workers, try to coordinate the sessions you each attend so that everything you need to know is
covered. Also check with co-workers who have remained at the office worksite, to determine if they have a need for some
particular information so you may prioritize attending the session(s) that would be helpful to them. Conference is a
wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues, selecting workshops and sessions to attend that are beneficial to all,
and then meeting in small groups to share information. Written material from most sessions can be found in your
Conference notebook.
What is the CTC New Certification Training
Commission staff will lead this two day workshop for new certification staff. This workshop is designed to provide
professional training experience for those individuals employed in credentials for less than one year. Topics will include
important information on:
Commission Functions
Credential Packet Preparation
Commission Web Site Resources
All On-line Application Features
Basic Credential Requirements
Communication with the Commission
What is the Credentials Academy?
The Credentials Academy is a comprehensive overview of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the
credentialing process. This workshop will describe the different departments of CTC, the staff and their duties, and what
they do. Enhanced by expert speakers from CTC as well as School Districts, County Offices and IHE representatives, this
Academy is designed to provide you with the latest in legislation, reporting requirements, new or pending programs, and
the most up to date credential requirements. At least one year of experience in credentialing or prior participation in a
CTC-sponsored New Personnel or New Credential Technician training are recommended as prerequisites for
participating. The Credentials Academy is geared to those who have been working in a certification position for one to
three years.
I have been in credentialing for less than a year, should I attend the New Certification Orientation and Peer
Networking Workshop or the Credentials Academy?
If you have not attended a CTC Credential Technician or New Personnel Workshop before Conference, you should attend
the one held at conference at the New Certification Orientation and Peer Networking Workshops LEVELs I & II. If you
have already done a Credential Technician or New Personnel Workshop at a County Office since you started your
position, you should consider the Credential Academy, unless you would like a repeat of the New Certification Orientation
and Peer Networking Workshop, now that you have a bit more experience.
I have been in credentialing for more than a year. Should I attend the Credentials Academy?
If you have not attended the Academy before, you should do so this year, if you can. You are welcome to repeat the
Academy sessions for as many times as you feel will benefit you. Content does change each year in response to issues in
the field and it is a great opportunity to learn the latest changes from the CTC staff, since the CTC-sponsored Spring
Workshop.
I recently attended an academy sponsored by a District/County organization. Should I attend the Credentials
Academy?
If you have been employed in a certification position for three years or less, the Credentials Academy can be a wonderful
opportunity to expand your knowledge and information base, even if you have recently attended an academy sponsored
by a District/County organization. The Credentials Academy gives you the opportunity to learn more information in a
broader context and to be informed of anything new that may have developed since your attendance at the earlier
training. There are many changes in certification and employment activities this year and the Credentials Academy could
be a great opportunity to get a good grounding in what those activities are and how they may impact you on a daily basis.
What Topics will be offered?
Each year features a large array of topics including those of most pertinent interest to novice, apprentice, and veteran
credential analysts. Our final Conference agenda will not be completed until early fall in order to allow us to include the
most current topics and speakers to address the latest changes. The conference planning volunteers and the CTC staff
are currently working on specific session topics and times which will be announced in the next few months. The following
partial list of topics from last year's conference, which will provide you with a range of topics, presented last year. We
anticipate that many topics will be related to new laws and regulations effecting certification including HR 1, “No Child Left
Behind.” The content and the topics offered may change as the field changes over the next few months.
A sample of topics anticipated to be offered at this year’s Conference include:
Career Technical Education (formerly known as Designated Subjects and Vocational Educational Credentials)
Special Education reforms and anticipated reforms at the state and national level,
The Williams Act updates
Certification and Assignment
“No Child Left Behind”
Special Education and Induction,
Adding Authorizations to Special Education Credentials,
Induction Standards for regular education and their updates
English Language Learners
Examination Changes
Emergency Permits: Short Term Staff and Provisional Internship Permits
SB 1209 Updates – Including TPA’s
Special Education including IDEA
Waivers
Alternative Certification Programs
Converting Preliminary Ryan and SB 2042 Credentials to CLEARs
Credential Discipline Process
Credential Information Guide: The CIG
Administrative Services: Preliminaries and Clear credentials
Pupil Personnel Services Credentials
Adding Authorizations, including: Subject Matter and Supplementary Authorizations
Certifying Out-of-State Teachers and Services Personnel
Child Development Permits
Federal Title II Reporting Workshop
Legislative Year from the Credentialing Perspective
Para-Professionals/Pre-Interns/Interns
Subject Matter Competency and the Role of the Subject Matter Waiver Programs
Transcript Evaluation
Opportunities to network with others who work in settings similar to your own (district, County Office, IHE, etc.)
I'm involved currently with Induction-BTSA as a program director or staff person. Why should I attend the CCAC
Conference?
The conference provides an opportunity for program sponsors to meet and discuss how they are tracking and
documenting inductees’ progress, how their activities have been affected by the state’s budget crisis, and collaboration
with other Districts and County offices and IHEs. Induction programs are now an integral part of the teacher credentialing
continuum for all of California's new teachers. This will soon include Special Education teachers. Fall Conference is your
best opportunity to learn about the most recent developments in regard to SB 2042 and SB1209, it is also the best way to
find out general updates relating to credentialing in California.
Why can't you tell us what the final schedule of Conference will be?
The planning committee volunteers will post a draft schedule on the website in early August. The final schedule is not
usually determined before early September due to the availability of presenters and late-breaking legislative actions. For a
general description of the sessions we expect to offer, see above.
What if I have need for special accommodations to be able to attend the conference?
CCAC will endeavor to make reasonable accommodation for members with special needs. Mark the appropriate box on
your conference registration form AND send an email to the conference chair (psmithan@calpoly.edu) for review. If
additional information is needed to assist CCAC, you will be contacted directly by the Conference Chair or designee.
Have you received my registration yet?
You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your registration within 4 weeks of our receipt of it. Print the receipt and bring
it with you to conference in order to check in and receive materials. If you do not receive your e-mail receipt within 4
weeks, check with your Purchasing Office to verify that it has been mailed to the correct address. If your registration goes
through your office's internal business office, please check with that office before contacting us. If more than four weeks
have passed since your registration was mailed, contact Linda Hunt, Conference Registrar, re: the.reggie@hotmail.com.
What is your Federal Tax ID Number?
It is 90-0182169. Go to our website at www.teamccac.net , “Events” and “Conference” and print out the W-9 (tax status)
form.
What meals will be included in the Conference fee?
Your conference fee pays for refreshments at the networking reception, lunch on Wednesday and breakfast on Friday
morning. These get-togethers facilitate regional networking between personnel from Districts, County Offices, and IHEs,
and often staff from the CTC attend. For other meals, both the DoubleTree and Hilton Sacramento Arden West have
restaurants. Coco's, Elephant Bar, El Torito, CheeseCake Factory, and Olive Garden are all located within three blocks of
the DoubleTree Hotel. The Arden Mall (directly across from the DoubleTree Hotel) includes two food courts and, for sit-
down dining, California Café, Fresh Choice, Johnny Rockets, and Steak Escape.
If I don't or can't stay for all of Conference, may I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, it is not possible for CCAC to offer either daily registration or partial refunds if a person misses part of
Conference. Contracts with the hotel and other vendors are for the full-term of the Conference, so the money has already
been allocated, even if you cannot attend.
How can I become or continue as a CCAC member without going to Conference?
While membership benefits for the next year are extended to all those who attend Conference, the annual membership
fee is $40 for those who do not attend conference. You may download a membership application from the website
(www.teamccac.net ) or you may contact Denise Roscoe, Vice-president for Membership, at droscoe@calbaptist.edu.
How do I get to the DoubleTree Hotel?
From the south via Interstate 5:
Take I-5 north until you reach the I-5/Highway 80 split. Then take the Business 80/Capital City Freeway East. Follow
Business 80 north until you reach the Arden Way exit. Exit at Arden Way to the East and make the first right at Point West
Way.
From the west on Interstate 80:
Take I-80 east to Sacramento, until you reach the Business 80/Capital City Freeway split to the North. Follow Business 80
until you reach the Arden Way exit. Exit at Arden Way to the East and make the first right at Point West Way.
From the north on Interstate 5 (airport):
Take I-5 south to the I-5 Highway 50 split. Take Highway 50 east to the split with the Business 80/Capital City Freeway.
Follow the Business 80/Capital City Freeway until you reach the Arden Way exit. Exit at Arden Way and make a left at the
signal onto Arden heading east. Then turn right at Point West Way.
What if I don't have a car?
There are commercial shuttles available from the airport to the DoubleTree, at about $25 for a round trip. However, at
times the shuttles can be overloaded if there are flight delays which bring many flights in at the same time. A taxi from the
airport currently costs between $30 and $35. Try to connect with other conference attendees to share the taxi to lower
the cost. Once you arrive at the DoubleTree, if you wish to go downtown to visit Old Town or the K-street Mall, you can
expect the taxi to cost between $15 and $18 each way.
Want to know more about Sacramento?
Sacramento is our state capitol and a vibrant, exciting city. If you are interested in knowing more about activities,
shopping and cultural activities in Sacramento, the following web sites are very helpful:
http://www.discovergold.org or http://www.sacramentocvb.org
http://www.cityofsacramento.org
http://www.saccounty.net
Local News
http://www.sacbee.com (the Sacramento Bee is the major Sacramento daily newspaper)
Weather
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Sacramento
Shopping
http://www.ardenfair.com The official web site of the Arden Fair Mall.
For More Information Contact:
Registration: Linda Hunt, the.reggie@hotmail.com
Conference: Peggy Smith Andersen, psmithan@calpoly.edu