Approve Sponsoring Agreement with Literacy Compass LLC for "2008 Literacy Compass Conference" - $95,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We request approval of the Sponsoring Agreement with Literacy Compass LLC to conduct a full conference experience for elementary teachers on June 10 and June 11, 2008. The Agreement includes responsibilities of the District and Literacy Compass LLC to ensure a successful conference. The conference will be held at Chamberlain High School for approximately 755 elementary teachers.

The “2008 Literacy Compass Conference” features a keynote curriculum speaker and a keynote author speaker each day. The Conference also includes a broad array of concurrent workshops focusing on reading, writing, and literacy across the curriculum, with a strong emphasis on reading comprehension. Teacher participants will select their workshops each day based on their particular needs and will complete a follow-up practicum.

Goal 1 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 4 - The percentage of students achieving a score of 4.0 or higher on FCAT Writing will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

Funds of $95,000 to cover the full contract cost of this conference are available as follows: $10,000 from the divisional general operating budget for Elementary Education, and $85,000 from the K-12 Comprehensive Reading Plan (Project 4526). The Sponsoring Agreement provides a payment of $2,000 to the District by Literacy Compass LLC for use of the conference facilities.

10/30/08 - District staff will review the evaluation surveys completed by each participant. The surveys will measure appropriateness of the sessions, along with the level of implementation of new approaches. Results will be shared with schools, district staff, and the School Board.