Approve the Consultant Agreement for DKH Consulting Services to Perform the Evaluation of the Magnet Schools Assistance Program in the Amount of $65,000 (Information and Technology Division)

The major goals of the Hillsborough County Public Schools Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) correlate with the six purposes of the federal MSAP. These goals are to decrease desegregation and provide school choice, build capacity within proposed magnet programs and the District's magnet program, and increase academic achievement for all students. Recent surveys by the Department of Assessment and Accountability regarding school choice indicate that parents and students overwhelmingly are most interested in academically rigorous magnet programs that will prepare students for successful post-secondary education. DKH is not registered with the Office of Supplier Diversity.

DKH Consulting Services, Inc. will conduct the evaluation of the program. DKH (specifically, Dr. Deidra Honeywell) has worked extensively with the Pinellas County Public Schools in obtaining and winning grants and is knowledgeable about the entire process including curriculum integration. Dr. Honeywell is very well known in the state and in Washington, D.C.

The evaluation duties for the consultant will include, but not be limited to the following: Designing a time-line for data collection and overall evaluation plan; on-site visits to provide verbal feedback and written interim reports for Fall, Winter, and Spring; developing, processing, and analyzing data for teacher, parent, and student surveys. An Annual Performance Report will be prepared and disseminated to district personnel upon completion of the project. Magnet programs at the following schools will be part of the evaluation process: Blake High School, Dowdell Middle School, Ferrell Middle School, Hillsborough High School, Lennard High School, Leto High School, Lincoln Elementary School, Middleton High School, and Sligh Middle School.

Goal 1: The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points. Goal 2: The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT mathematics will increase a minimum of five percentage points. Goal 5: The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.