Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Souder, Betances and Associates, Inc. for the Presentation at the Dr. Kevin McCarthy Accomplished Teaching Academy on June 17, 2008, $9,086 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We request approval of the Agreement for Technical Services with Souder, Betances and Associates, Inc. for the services of Dr. Samuel Betances to design, develop, and train high performing teachers through the Accomplished Teaching Academy (ATA). Dr. Betances will train new and returning teachers on June 17, 2008, in the areas of leadership and designing classroom experiences specific to race and gender differences. Training is provided through a large group forum and breakout sessions

Dr. Betances will utilize excerpts from his book, “Ten Steps to the Head of the Class: A Challenge to Students”, focusing on how teachers can achieve unprecedented improvements in teaching and learning. Participants will develop action plans for improving student achievement that will be implemented during the 2008/2009 school year. Approximately 350 teachers will benefit from Dr. Betances’ services. These plans and their implementation will be shared with other teachers during the Accomplished Teaching Academy in June 2009. In addition, Dr. Betances will provide follow-up, as needed, throughout the year to conference participants.

The Dr. Kevin McCarthy Accomplished Teaching Academy was initiated in 2003 and has proved to be highly successful for enhancing instructional delivery skills for classroom teachers. The 2008 Academy is scheduled for June 17-20, 2008, at Jefferson High School.

Goal 5 – The district will close the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

Funds of $9,068 are included in the Division of Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education budget, Project 4502. Funds cover the cost of training and materials for 350 K-12 teachers.

July 2009. Teachers are surveyed to collect qualitative data about the sessions they attend and Plan Reviews will be completed to determine how the plan, developed at the Academy, was implemented and the impact on student achievement.