Teaching and Learning Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, January 23, 2018
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) College of Education for Services Associated with the Implementation of the Investing in Innovation (i3) Grant Project (Award #U411C140098), the Urban Teacher Residency Preparation Program (UTRPP) (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) was awarded a five-year, $3,000,000 i3 grant funded by the United States Department of Education in support of the UTRPP.  The current agreement with USF will cover year four of the project and provide a total of $512,585 in i3 grant funds for this period of the project.  Per the terms of this agreement, an additional $8,000 will be provided to USF on a cost reimbursement basis, upon receipt of funds to the District from the Florida Education Fund, Inc. (FEF).  The goal of the project is to study an innovative approach to teacher preparation for undergraduate education majors that significantly alters the current teacher preparation model, and serves as a promising solution to a pressing national challenge of recruiting, preparing, and retaining effective teachers and leaders for low-income, high-need students.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child • Recruit, support, and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $520,585 will be funded through the following sources (remaining balances as of December 14, 2017): i3 grant: $512,585 – Project 3437, remaining balance equaled $512,585 FEF: $8,000 – Project 2946, remaining balance equaled $8,000
EVALUATION
Under the terms of the grant, HCPS is responsible for project evaluation.  HCPS will contract with an external, third-party organization that conducts an independent evaluation. HCPS personnel, USF project personnel, and key personnel from the Office of Strategy Management work in collaboration with the external organization to provide the required reporting.  During the 2016/2017 school year, 36 student residents agreed or strongly agreed that being part of UTRPP increased their confidence in becoming a classroom teacher.  As the residents impacted by the i3 grant project matriculate through the program, the external evaluation will provide data on residents’ ratings on the Danielson rubric compared to their matched pre-service teachers from different schools.
SUBMITTED BY:  Deborah Cook, Chief Academic Officer, Office of Teaching and Learning Barbara B. Hancock, Instructional Leadership Director, Elementary

Gretchen Saunders		Jeffrey Eakins
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270		Superintendent (813) 272-4047
		C 6.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20180123_858 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.05