Educational Leadership and Professional Development Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, February 6, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Thinking Maps, Inc. (Educational Leadership and Professional Development)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For the 2014/2015 school year, the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) adopted the Thinking Maps, A Language for Learning program as a foundation for the program components.  Thinking Maps includes a series of eight maps that help drive students toward higher order thinking skills, and allows teachers to see them applying what they have learned to new situations.  ACP chose to break up the recommended six-hour training for program participants into a three-hour orientation session, which covers the eight maps and how to use them, and then an embedded approach to the second three hours.  Participants use the eight Thinking Maps during their seven ACP courses and learn not only how to apply them to different situations, but also how to create them in a digital environment through the Integrating Technology Class.  Each ACP teacher receives a Thinking Maps binder when they take the three-hour orientation class. For the 2018/2019 school year, Thinking Maps, Inc., has updated their training materials and resources provided to all trainers and ACP teachers.  In addition, ACP has the need to train additional trainers for this orientation as the number of certified trainers has dwindled due to attrition through promotions and retirements.  It is beneficial to the program to have all ACP trainers certified in the Thinking Maps Program. Thinking Maps, Inc., will provide a five-day training to new program trainers in June of 2018.  At the same time, Thinking Maps will also provide a two-day update training for existing trainers.  In addition, each ACP will purchase enough Thinking Maps binders for all new teachers joining the program this year – 2017/2018 (approximately 350 participants).
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Recruit, support, and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce • Continuously improve processes and systems
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $24,590 will be available in the ACP.  For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 4029.  As of December 20, 2017, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $230,996.57.
EVALUATION
Evaluation continued on attachment.
SUBMITTED BY:  Scott Richman, Supervisor, Educational Leadership and Professional Development

Tricia McManus		Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Leadership and Professional Development 813-272-4876		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		C 6.03
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20180206_859 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.03