Webinars
All CERA Webinars are free to members!
CERA offers two to three webinars per year. ​If you have a presentation or topic you would like to present as a future CERA webinar, please complete this short form.
August 2025
Optimizing Group Management and Access in CERS
​Presented by: Joe Valero, Fresno County Office of Education
Coordinators, get ready to reconnect your teachers and staff to the California Educator Reporting System (CERS) following the August 1st rollover. In this interactive session, we’ll explore the key components of student group management in CERS, take a deep dive into the different levels of access provided through TOMS, and review how to use upload templates effectively—including where to find the necessary data. You’ll also hear how others are creating groups, discover creative strategies for connecting users, and walk away with new, practical ideas you can apply in your own context. Come ready to think outside the box and collaborate with peers!
June 2025
From Insight to Action: Building Interactive Dashboards in Excel
Get inspired and equipped to turn data into decisions! In this interactive session, we’ll walk through a custom-built TOMS Excel dashboard designed to help educators quickly visualize and interpret assessment results. Then we’ll shift gears and explore how you can create similar dashboards for your own needs. You’ll learn practical techniques for using pivot tables, creating pivot charts, making a simple dashboard look snazzy, and adding interactive elements like dropdowns and slicers—no coding required. Bring your curiosity and leave with tools you can use right away.
February 2025
Deploying a Data Governance Framework for Educational Data
​Presented by: Santa Clara Office of Education
In the rapidly evolving landscape of educational technology, the management and governance of data have become critical for ensuring the security, privacy, and utility of educational information. This session outlines the development and implementation of a comprehensive data governance framework at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), aimed at enhancing the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of educational data. The initiative, driven by the need to address increasing data volumes, regulatory requirements, and the demand for data-driven decision-making, highlights the strategic processes and technical solutions employed to establish a robust governance structure.
September 2024
Using Data, the EL Roadmap, and Improvement Science to Enhance Systems for English Learners
​This webinar was focused on advancing systems for English Learners. We’ll explore public data available, connect the EL Roadmap, and apply Improvement Science principles to drive meaningful changes in educational practices. Perfect for county, coaches, district and site leaders committed to fostering equitable opportunities for all students. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your approach and impact in EL education!
September 2023
Best Practices in Survey Design
Presented by: Sherrie Reed Bennett and Valerye Salazar
Surveys are an essential tool in educational research and evaluation and how these instruments are designed is critical. In fact, how we ask the questions may be more important than what we ask. Presenters will share their expertise in survey design to help you create valid and reliable instruments for your next project.
May 2023
Stupid Excel Tricks
Presented by: Cathy White and Nikki Antonovich
Despite the plethora of data analysis tools and programs, we still rely quite often on Excel. One of the reasons is the sheer number of built-in tools and functions that make our work much easier. “Stupid Excel Tricks” will cover timesaving shortcuts, cool formulas, and fun ways to make data shine!
September 2022
Best Practices for Effective Communication
Presented by: Nikki Antonovich and Kasia Faughn
Effective communication is inextricably connected with Data Driven Decision Making—informed decisions are rooted in a deep understanding of the data and effective communication is how we get there.​
May 2022
Five Ways Evaluation Activities Mitigate Program Failures
Presented by: Dr. Shannon Coulter
Dr. Coulter is an expert in program evaluation and works in this capacity at the San Diego County Office of Education and is a Past President of CERA. With so many initiatives and programs being funded in schools and universities it has become apparent that we need tools to ensure effective implementations that produce valid results.