Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with WhyTry, Inc. to Provide Training, Certification, and Curriculum Set for 30 HCPS Staff Participants Focused on Intervention for Helping At-Risk Student Populations Improve Attendance, GPA, and Reduce Drop-Out Rates (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

The district piloted the WhyTry Program, a multi-sensory approach to teach youth how to convert their challenges, anger, frustration, and confusion into positive motivation, in 2006. The district convened a committee of staff members from Non-Traditional Programs, School Social Work Services, and Title I N&D Programs to review input from staff who used the program. A survey revealed that staff serving at-risk students highly recommended the WhyTry Program to teach social and emotional skills. The WhyTry Certification Training is a two-day, in-depth training specifically designed to prepare professionals to use the WhyTry Program in their real world practice settings. The training uses demonstration, role-playing, and active engagement to model using the WhyTry Program. The training shows how the multi-sensory components fit together, and creates a common intervention framework and language for staff.

This contract specifically provides the funds necessary to implement the two-day training and provide materials for 30 HCPS staff participants at Franklin, Sligh, and Van Buren Middle Schools, and Brandon and North Tampa Alternative Schools.

* Motivate students to become responsible learners

On May 5, 2010, the Florida Department of Education allocated additional Title I Part D funds to Hillsborough County Public Schools. This contract will be paid by using these Title I Reallocation funds in the amount of $15,220.

Feedback will be gathered from training participants. A 90-day follow-up on student data will be conducted. Data will be analyzed to determine the success of the program and future contracts with the vendor.