Chief of Schools Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, May 15, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services Between Thinking Core and The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida to Support Capacity Building for Implementation of the Language Arts Florida Standards (LAFS) Efforts with Mango Elementary School (Chief of Schools)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Through a combination of high quality, ongoing professional development and proven methodologies, Thinking Core will support capacity building for implementation of the LAFS efforts with Mango Elementary. Using a job-embedded professional development design, the Thinking Core Florida English Language Arts Reading/Writing Standards Study Project will raise the level of leadership and teaching capacity that aligns with the relevant rigor defined by the LAFS. Professional development centers on pedagogy and unique content with an in-depth Standards-to-Standards Connections Study that is central to the improvement of student achievement. Instructional Learning Walks will be conducted to provide an additional tier of support around the teaching of standards. Cohorts of administrators, coaches, and Area Leadership Team members will visit classrooms to provide technical assistance to participants and to reflect on what they are learning as it applies to teaching of standards. The Thinking Core rubric will be used to gather evidence and foster self-monitoring and professional growth.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child • Continuously improve processes and systems
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $24,152 will be available in the Mango Elementary Title I account.  For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3395.  As of April 18, 2018, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $24,152.
EVALUATION
The key metrics for improvement are two-fold: (1) Measuring Teacher Practice, and (2) Measuring Student Work. Thinking Core has developed a rubric for collecting and evaluating implementation. District staff will use the rubric to assess the quality of implementation and the design of next steps.
SUBMITTED BY:  Owen Young, Area Superintendent, Area VII

Harrison Peters		Gretchen Saunders
Chief of Schools (813) 272-4071		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		C 6.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20180515_878 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section C Item# 6.05