Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, August 31, 2010
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approval of Agreement for Technical Services Provided to a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Student (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hardeman Realtime Inc. will provide Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services to a Deaf/Hard of Hearing student at Coleman Middle School August 24 through November 30, 2010. This service will be provided for all academic classes in accordance with the student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

CART is a verbatim, word-for-word, instant translation of the spoken word into written text. The text appears instantly on a computer screen so that Deaf/Hard of Hearing students may read what is being said. CART is provided by specially trained stenographers who are required to hold a valid National Certification. The CART provider sits near the student while the student views the text on a laptop/notebook computer. Unlike captioned TV where the text is a couple of lines, the CART text fills the computer screen. A printed copy of the text is given to the student at the end of the day.

CART is used by those whose first language is English, not sign language. Under the provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), interpreting services and transcription services such as CART, C-Print, and Typewell are provided to Deaf/Hard of Hearing students. CART can be provided on-site or via remote internet link. The CART provider will follow the student's schedule, which requires attending all academic classes.

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

* Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds not to exceed $35,000, are included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget, (IDEA, Project 1931)

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY: Joyce L. Wieland, General Director, Department of Exceptional Student Education
 Janet Franz, Supervisor, Speech-Language-Hearing Program

Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.04
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20100831_418 * Section A Item# 5.04