Approve $161,247 payment to the University of South Florida (USF) for Services Associated with Their Partnership in Hillsborough County Public Schools Voluntary Public School Choice, Project #U361A070017 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) awarded $10,673,384 to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) for the District’s Voluntary Public School Choice project. The purpose of the program is to establish or expand a public school choice program. The project began October 1, 2007, and ends September 30, 2012, with year one funding of $2,481,860. Of the total amount awarded in Year One, $161,247 is allocated for project services rendered by the University of South Florida (USF). Dr. Donna Elam and staff will provide research, planning, implementation oversight, and materials development to support the integration of culturally competent instructional practices into curriculum and instruction. Dr. Bruce Jones, Dr. Jeff Kromery, and staff will direct the evaluation activities.

GOAL 6 - All schools in the District will be assigned a state grade of A, B, or C (accomplish goals and critical success factors for goals 1-5).

Funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) Voluntary Public School Choice program, Project # U361A070017. HCPS is the grant’s fiscal agent, and project funds reside with the District.

Under the terms of the grant, USF is responsible for project evaluation. A copy of the annual reports and final evaluation report will be provided to HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the first annual report is June 30, 2009.