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 Performance Learning Systems, Inc. for Smaller Learning Communities Conference, June 1-2, 2006 - $75,600 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) grant funded the first regional SLC conference in 2005 with an Agreement for Technical Services with Performance Learning Systems, Inc. approved by the School Board on May 3, 2005. The second conference is planned for June 1-2, 2006, and an Agreement for Technical Services with Performance Learning Systems, Inc. has been developed to provide the 2006 SLC Conference. Responsibilities of Performance Learning Systems, Inc. includes providing all conference speakers, all printing costs, and the facility for 200 participants.

The SLC Conference addresses the professional development needs of administrators, classroom teachers, and guidance counselors to continue the momentum of school restructuring. The conference is designed to reinforce best practices, retrain involved teachers, and inform additional teachers in Grades 10-12. The conference complements and promotes the philosophy of Professional Learning Communities as a means to promote student success. There will be a total of 21 sessions with topics of sustainability, parental involvement, and educational strategies for students in poverty and speakers of other languages as well as postsecondary articulation and national high school reform strategies. The SLC Conference will target the SLC Implementation sites (Chamberlain, East Bay, Leto, and Wharton high schools) and will accommodate other high school personnel who have begun the process of restructuring and reforming commensurate with the philosophy of SLC.

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

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $75,600 are available in the district special revenue/federal programs budget - $19,600 - Smaller Learning Communities Implementation Grant - Project 0533 and $56,000 - Staff Development Title II - Project 1080.

EVALUATION

June 30, 2007. Evaluation of the SLC Conference will be included as part of the overall grant evaluation conducted by a third-party evaluator and funded through the grant. The evaluation will include comparison of 9th grade student performance data for SLC and non-SLC sites. The results of the evaluation will be shared with all stakeholders.

SUBMITTED BY: Pamela Campbell-Peralta, General Director, Technical and Career Education 
Arlen Black, Supervisor, Technical and Career Education 
Carole Swinehart, Ph.D., District Resource Teacher, Tech Prep

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
5.32
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20060502_175 * Section E Item# 5.32