Approve Consultant Agreement with Mariann Schmudde, Ph.D. to Carry Out the Duties Associated with the Evaluation of the Transition to Teaching Grant, Project #0714 (Information and Technology)

The Transition to Teaching project focuses on support of eligible paraprofessionals in the pursuit of the Bachelor's Degree and full certification; recruit, train and support mid-career professionals in the pursuit of full teacher certification; recruit, train and support recent college graduates in the pursuit of full teacher certification; train and support teachers participating in the ACP; place and retain highly qualified teachers in targeted high-needs schools; establish and develop a full partnership between the HCPS and St. Petersburg College for the purpose of implementing the Transition to Teaching project. Participation includes approximately 400 ACP and Paraprofessionals located primarily in Title I Schools. The consultant will perform Year 3 evaluation duties as outlined in the Transition to Teaching Project #0714. Duties of the evaluator will include, but not be limited to the following: 1) reviewing feedback from the Year 2 evaluation and making program adjustments as indicated by the data; 2) reviewing and revising Evaluation Plan for Year 3 as needed; 3) implementing Phase I Input/process Evaluation and Phase II Immediate Outcome Evaluation, Phase III Implementation/Utilization Evaluation, and Phase IV Impact Evaluation for Year 3; 4) reviewing instrumentation; 5) evaluating achievement data of students; 6) disseminating results of Year 3 evaluation in a comprehensive interim report due by designated date provided by Grantor; and 7) disseminating reports, both draft and final) to program manager and the Department of Assessment and Evaluation.

Goal 5 - The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind. Critical Success Factor 5a: Recruit and retain high-performing teachers to teach students who are achieving below grade level or with special needs.

Total budget is $1,181,680 (3 year budget), and the evaluation budget is $37,420, of which $15,000 is funded for this contract.

Final evaluation report due June 2007.