Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Performance Learning Systems, Inc. for the Presentation at the Dr. Kevin McCarthy Accomplished Teaching Academy on June 18-19, 2008 – $7,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We request approval of the Agreement for Technical Services with Performance Learning Systems, Inc. for the services of Stephen Barkley to design, develop, and train high performing teachers through the Accomplished Teaching Academy (ATA). Mr. Barkley will train new and returning teachers on June 18-19, 2008, on current trends and techniques regarding teacher leadership.

Mr. Barkley will begin with a session on “Teachers as Leaders Know Their Students” on June 18, 2008, and will follow with “Teachers as Leaders Know Best Practices” on June 19, 2008. 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 Mr. Barkley’s services. These plans and their implementation will be shared with other teachers during the Accomplished Teaching Academy in June 2009. In addition, Mr. Barkley 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 $7,000 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.