Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 2, 2006
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Agreement for Technical Services with VJ Blake & Associates, Inc. for the Dr. Kevin McCarthy Accomplished Teaching Academy, June 5-7, 2006 - $9,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Dr. Kevin McCarthy Accomplished Teaching Academy will be held June 5-9, 2006, at Chamberlain High School and up to 400 teachers in Grades K-12 will participate. An Agreement for Technical Services has been developed with VJ Blake and Associates, Inc. for Dr. Vera Blake to return to present three all-day sessions June 5-7: Cadre III teachers from last year’s Academy on "Transforming Schools with Best Practices"; Cadre IV Teachers on "Team Building and Communication"; and Cadre IV teachers on "Success is the Only Option – Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners."

Dr. Blake is highly qualified in training teachers in differentiated instruction for mixed ability classes, team building, cooperative learning, alternative assessment, multiple intelligences, instructional strategies for diverse learners, instructional leadership, and brain-based approach to learning and teaching.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

Goal 5 - The district will close the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $9,000 are included in the Division of Student Services and Federal Programs Title II budget (Project 1080.) Funds cover the cost of materials and training for approximately 400 K-12 teachers.

EVALUATION

October 2006. Teachers are surveyed to collect qualitative and quantitative data about the sessions they attend to capture relevant information about each day's activities. The survey results are presented in a report each October following the professional development experience.

SUBMITTED BY: Joyce G. Haines, Ph.D., General Director, Elementary Education 
Sherry Ogden, Supervisor/Generalist, Elementary Education

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
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Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20060502_175 * Section E Item# 5.34