Approve Statement of Work with NCS Pearson, Inc. (Pearson), for Proofreading and Transcription Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Students (Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired – FIMC-VI)

We request approval of the Statement of Work (SOW) with Pearson. This SOW replaces Exhibit A of the original subcontract between Pearson and The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida, effective on October 20, 2009. Proofreading and transcription services for Braille versions of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and the FCAT Sample Tests will be provided in a contractor/subcontractor relationship through June 15, 2011. On behalf of The School Board, FIMC-VI will offer the following services:

• Conduct third-party proofreading of both the contracted and uncontracted Braille version of the FCAT Sunshine State Standards (SSS) or FCAT 2.0 and FCAT Sample Tests for grades 3-10, reading/mathematics/writing/science;
• Provide the proofreading/editing of the Braille Scripts, the Braille Notes, and the Test Administration Manual (Braille section) for the FCAT SSS or FCAT 2.0 for grades 3-10, reading/mathematics/writing/science; and
• Transcribe student Braille responses onto scannable print answer books for the FCAT SSS for grades 3-10 or FCAT 2.0, reading/mathematics/writing/science.

Funding for this initiative was awarded to Pearson by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Pearson was awarded a Prime Contract by FDOE to provide products and services in accordance with FDOE’s Request for Proposal No. 2008-17 for the Florida Standards Based Assessment System.

FIMC-VI is a statewide resource center assisting Florida’s 67 school districts with the specialized materials needs of blind and visually impaired students. FIMC-VI operates under FDOE through an annual agreement with Hillsborough County Public Schools.

All Strategic Objectives

Pearson will pay the district $37,608 for services provided and the funds will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget (Project 1917). There is no additional cost to the district.