Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Agreement for Technical Services with B&B Educational Consultants, Inc. for Project Manager for Middle School Mandarin Chinese Language Program - $30,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On September 20, 2006, Hillsborough County Public Schools received a multi-year grant (3 years) from the United States Office of Education the Foreign Language Assistance Program in the amount of $863,170. The 2006/2007 award is $270,777 through Project 1133. A component of the grant includes a project manager for the Middle School Mandarin Chinese Language Program. The federal Department of Homeland Security considers the Chinese language to be a critical language and vital to national economic prosperity and through this grant, supports the establishment and expansion of Chinese language instruction through Chinese language experts and new technology.

The Agreement for Technical Services with B&B Educational Consultants, Inc. is to provide a highly qualified project manager to ensure the proper and efficient administration of the Hillsborough Multilingual Multicultural Program from November 22, 2006, through August 30, 2007. The project manager will oversee the management of the Mandarin Chinese language project at Ferrell, Greco, Jennings, and Williams Middle Schools. The selected schools were chosen based on their current program, facility, and student population. The project manager’s duties will include: achieving project goals in a timely fashion; meeting objectives and activities within the grant budget; and assessing development, implementation, and success of the project.

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 $30,000 are included in the district special revenue/federal programs budget in the Florida Language Assistance Program grant, Project 1133. There is no additional cost to the District.

EVALUATION

Performance evaluation measures are determined by the United State Office of Education. The annual progress report will be completed in December 2007. The results will be shared with all stakeholders.

SUBMITTED BY: Josie Sanders, General Director, Middle School Education

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
5.15
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20061121_188 * Section E Item# 5.15