Approve $266,367 Payment to the University of South Florida for Services Associated with the State Mathematics and Science Partnerships Grant, Project #290-2357A-7CF01 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

We request approval for payment to the University of South Florida (USF) for services associated with their partnership with the State Mathematics and Science Partnerships grant, project #290-2357A-7CF01.

The Florida Department of Education awarded $1,294,980 to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) to implement the Mathematics and Science Partnership grant (Project Collaborative Leaders Achieving Science Success – CLASS), which promotes exemplary Science instruction across all grade levels at eight targeted schools (see attachment). Faculty and staff from USF College of Education’s Anchin Center, through the Tampa Bay Educational Partnership, a formal partnership between the district and the university, are providing expert leadership training to assist teachers and administrators in creating the specialized skills necessary to become effective leaders and instructors at high needs schools. USF also serves as evaluator on the project. The one year project began June 1, 2007, and continues through August 31, 2008.

Goal 3 - Students performance on FCAT science will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

Funding for this project is provided by the Florida Department of Education, Project #290-2357A-7CF01. HCPS is the grant’s fiscal agent and project funds reside with the district.

Under the terms of the grant, USF will evaluate the project. Copies of the final evaluation report will be provided to the district office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the final evaluation is December 1, 2008.