Oversight from the Inside: Empowering Charter Schools to Self-Monitor
Not every charter school authorizer has the resources, or maybe the capacity, to conduct comprehensive oversight. Yet, the responsibility to remain compliant, responsive, and performance-focused remains squarely with charter schools themselves.
This session, led by a high-capacity authorizing team from a large California district, will equip charter leaders with the knowledge and tools to effectively self-monitor when external oversight is minimal.
Participants will learn how to adopt a systems-based approach to internal oversight by leveraging the same tools and practices used by proactive authorizers, including school site visit protocols, internal monitoring calendars, board self-assessments, and compliance tracking tools. The session will also highlight how schools can build internal cultures of accountability and transparency, reducing compliance risk and strengthening student outcomes, even in the absence of rigorous authorizer engagement.
Presented by
Deidre Walsh
Director, Office of Charter Schools
San Diego Unified School District
Deidre Walsh has worked twenty-six years in public K-12 education. She began her career at a County Office of Education in Northern California before joining San Diego Unified School District in 2004. Ms. Walsh currently serves as the Director in the Office of Charter Schools for the District. She is responsible for oversight of the District’s 39 charter schools which serve almost 19,000 students. She has earned both J.D. and B.A. degrees.
Gokhan Serce
Chief Academic Officer
Magnolia Public Schools
With 20 years of experience in education, I serve as Chief Academic Officer at Magnolia Public Schools, where I lead systems-level academic strategy, school improvement, and instructional leadership across a diverse network of schools. As a systems leader, I focus on designing and scaling structures that empower educators, support student achievement, and ensure equity across all levels of our organization. My leadership is rooted in collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and a relentless commitment to excellence. During my tenure as Principal at Magnolia Science Academy – San Diego, our school was recognized twice as a California Distinguished School, in 2021 and 2024, a testament to the strong instructional systems and culture of continuous improvement we built together.
Tiffany Degraffenreid
Manager
San Diego Unified School District
Five years ago, Tiffany transitioned from charter school leader to charter school authorizer as Manager for San Diego Unified School District’s (SDUSD) Office of Charter Schools responsible for overseeing academics, finances, governance, and operations for 39 charter schools serving nearly 19,000 students.
