Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Two Agreements for Technical Services for FCAT Writing+ Training for Middle School Language Arts Teachers (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Professional Development for Achievement, Inc. and Chris Lewis will plan, deliver, and follow-up on FCAT Writing+ training that will be provided to all middle school language arts Subject Area Leaders on May 29 through June 8, 2007, at Monroe Middle School. The trained subject area leaders will then train language arts teachers at their site on Professional Study Day in August. The goal is to increase writing scores by at least 5% and to eliminate any achievement gaps in language arts as determined by state FCAT scores. The consultants' responsibilities include:
  1. Develop FCAT Writing+ workshop
  2. Provide training for language arts Subject Area Leaders
  3. Develop FCAT Writing+ items for classroom use
  4. Follow-up at middle school sites for support and implementation in classrooms during the 2007/2008 school year.

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

Goal 4 - The percentage of students achieving a score of 4.0 or higher on FCAT Writing will increase a minimum of 5 percentage points.
Goal 5 - The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $13,400 are included in the divisional budget for Staff Development, Project 4502.

EVALUATION

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.#20070508_241 * Section E Item# 5.15