Teaching and Learning Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, August 29, 2017
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Regional Partner Affiliate Agreement with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc., for the 2017/2018 School Year (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We request approval of this agreement to provide creative teens with opportunities for exhibition, recognition, publication, and scholarships.  Students in grades 7-12 attending public, private, charter, and home schools may submit work in 28 different art and writing categories.  At the regional level, works earn Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or Gold Key distinction.  Gold Key work advances to the national level where it is evaluated against others from across the country.  In 2016, more than 330,000 works of art and writing were submitted to regional affiliates across the country.  More than 50,000 young artists and writers were celebrated in their local communities and more than 2,700 students and their teachers were recognized with national awards, including those honored at Carnegie Hall. It is the practice of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc., to sign any negotiated agreement after it has been signed by the Licensee, in this case The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
An affiliate fee of $1,500 will be paid to the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc., to administer the art and writing regional program. Funds will be available in the community services account. As of August 8, 2017, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $3,655. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 4455.
EVALUATION
An annual report of student submissions and awards will be reviewed and shared to determine the impact of student access to this award's affiliation.  From the 2015/2016 school year to the 2016/2017 school year, student submissions decreased slightly from 1,300 to 1,165.  Despite the decrease in submissions, the number of regional Gold Key awards increased from 63 to 72, Silver Key awards increased from 110 to 123, and Honorable Mentions increased from 160 to 188.  At the national level, student Gold, Silver, American Visions, and American Voices Medals decreased slightly from 14 to 12.
SUBMITTED BY:  Deborah Cook, Chief Academic Officer, Office of Teaching and Learning Leslie Granich, Instructional Leadership Director, Secondary Education Elizabeth Brown, Supervisor, Secondary Language Arts

Gretchen Saunders		Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270		Chief of Staff (813) 272-4986
		C 6.09
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170829_818 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.09