HCPS FL Logo Educational Leadership and Professional Development
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, March 7, 2017
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Thinking Core (Educational Leadership and Professional Development) Corrected Attachment  Completely Revised Attachment
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Through a combination of high quality, ongoing professional development and proven methodologies, Thinking Core will support the development of school leaders, improving their ability to effectively monitor and support the implementation of the Florida Standards.  Using a job-embedded professional development design, Thinking Core will partner with district staff and principals in Area 4 and 7 to unpack the English Language Arts Standards for deeper understanding.  As stated in the Hillsborough County Public School Principal Rubric, principals must be able to ensure that students master standards by aligning curriculum instructional strategies and assessments.  The standard study with Thinking Core will allow all principals to improve their practice in this area.

The training will take place through both face-to-face sessions and coaching in the field during Learning Walks and feedback conversations with school leaders. Staff members from Teaching and Learning, Educational Leadership, Professional Development, and Administration will participate in the training and collaborating on next steps to implement key learning throughout the system.
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 $71,655.39 will be available in the Title I and Leap Up 2.0 grants. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3194 and 3130. As of Thursday, February 16, 2017, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $204,157.97.
EVALUATION
The key metrics for evaluating improvement are two-fold: (1) Measuring Teacher Practice and (2) Measuring Student Work.  Thinking Core has developed a rubric for collecting data and evaluating implementation.  District staff will use the rubric to assess the quality of implementation and the design of next steps. The results of the assessment will be shared with principals and district leaders.
SUBMITTED BY:  Tricia McManus
Assistant Superintendent, Educational Leadership and Professional Development
Gretchen Saunders   Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270		   Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4986
    C 6.11R1
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170307_826 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.11R1