Approve the Contract from Scientific Learning Corporation for the Purchase of a Fast Forword Site License for Bryan, West Shore and Just Elementary Schools (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

Fast Forword is a unique, foundational intervention software program that works in concert with a school’s reading curriculum. It has been shown to develop and/or improve the cognitive skills of memory, attention, processing, and sequencing, which have been proven to be prerequisites for successful reading. It is appropriate for all grade levels. The duration of the Fast Forword intervention for each child ranges from 6 to 12 weeks. Three elementary schools have requested to pilot this software (Bryan, West Shore, and Just Elementary). The software has been reviewed by the district’s Technology Committee to determine compatibility with district technical specifications and alignment with current district initiatives. This pilot project will be evaluated by the Department of Assessment and Accountability to determine its effectiveness with increasing and accelerating student achievement.

The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test in reading will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.

The impact to the Title I, Part A budget will be $213,040.

By August 30, 2007, a thorough evaluation will be conducted by the Department of Assessment and Accountability to assess the program’s effectiveness for increasing student achievement. The results of this evaluation will be shared with the Scientific Learning Corporation and district officials and will be used to determine future purchases.