Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 29, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Addendum Agreement for Technical Services with Irene Betancourt to Monitor the Enhancing Education Through Technology – “Leveraging Laptops: Effective Models for Enhancing Student Achievement” Grant, $7,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On September 26, 2006, the School Board approved an Agreement for Technical Services with Irene Betancourt to monitor the Enhancing Education Through Technology – “Leveraging Laptops: Effective Models for Enhancing Student Achievement” Grant for 640 hours for the period October 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007.

The provider has fulfilled the original contract of 640 hours ($38.84 per hour for a total of $25,531.24), but due to the technical nature of the grant there is a need for additional site visits to the five schools involved (Village of Excellence Charter School; Bing, Potter, and West Tampa Elementary Schools; Madison Middle School; and Robinson High School), we are requesting approval of the addendum to the Agreement for Technical Services for Mrs. Betancourt to fulfill the role of assisting and monitoring the intricacies of the grant. If approved, the provider will continue to provide professional expertise to support these schools. Services will include collection of survey data, arranging and conducting trainings as outlined in the grant, and conducting bi-weekly visits to the participating school sites. The original

The Enhancing Education Through Technology – “Leveraging Laptops: Effective Models for Enhancing Student Achievement” Grant is a one year $1,012,722.96 competitive grant which will prepare students to enter adulthood with the 21st Century Skills necessary to be productive citizens. This grant promotes cross-grade collaboration using a variety of tool-based software, laptops, and Palm handheld devices to transform the learning environment at school and at home. One example of such collaboration is participating charter, elementary, middle, and high school students will utilize technology across the curriculum to provide emergency preparedness information to local, state, and national Emergency Operations Centers.

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 $7,000 for this amendment are included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget through the Enhancing Education Through Technology – “Leveraging Laptops: Effective Models for Enhancing Student Achievement” Grant - Project 1057. If approved, the total amount for this provider for this project will be $32,531.24.

EVALUATION

Evaluation measures required by the grant are determined by the Florida Department of Education. Evaluation for this component will be included in the annual state performance report and shared with all stakeholders.

SUBMITTED BY: Barbara B. Hancock, General Director, Elementary Education 
Sherry Ogden, Supervisor/Generalist, Elementary Education

Michaael 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.#20070529_244 * Section E Item# 5.36