HCPS FL Logo Teaching and Learning
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 2016
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with The School Board of Polk County, Florida and the Memorandum of Agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) Board of Trustees for Services Associated with the Implementation of the Math/Science Partnership Grant Project: Accelerating Maximum Potential in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (AMP-STEM) (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) was recently awarded $1,500,000 from the Florida Department of Education through the competitive Math/Science Partnership STEM Grant Project for year three of the AMP-STEM Project. AMP-STEM is a collaborative project with Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) and USF designed to enhance the skills of each district's mathematics and science teaching faculty to ultimately increase student achievement in STEM subjects in elementary, middle, and high schools. AMP-STEM consists of 3 components: teacher training that addresses hard to teach content in elementary and middle school mathematics and science; development of K-8 lessons that integrate STEM concepts in mathematics and science; and credentialing of more mathematics and science teachers in middle and high schools. Professional development workshops will be collaboratively designed and delivered by faculty of all three partners. This agreement will cover year 3 of the project and provide a total of $677,813 to PCPS and a total of $91,786 to USF for this period of the grant.

HCPS will be the first signer on the Agreement with The School Board of Polk County, Florida.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child • Recruit, support, and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce • Establish a strong foundation of financial stewardship
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $677,813.00 will be available in the Math/Science Partnership Grant. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3138. As of Monday, September 26, 2016, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $1,500,000.00.
EVALUATION
The required external project evaluation is paid for utilizing grant funds. HCPS will contract with an external, third-party organization that will conduct an independent evaluation. HCPS personnel, PCPS personnel, and key personnel from the district's Assessment and Accountability Department will work in collaboration with the external organization to provide the required reporting.
SUBMITTED BY:  Elizabeth Agresta, Chief Academic Officer, Office of Teaching and Learning
Larry R. Plank, Ed.S., Director of K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Gretchen Saunders   Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270		   Chief of Staff
(813) 272-4986
    C 6.03
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20161018_767 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.03