Hillsborough County Public Schools Information and Technology
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Authorization to Negotiate a Contract with Convergence Consulting Group for Support and Further Development of the Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) Data Management System During Grant Year Two (Information and Technology Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As we approach the half way point for the Merit Award Program and Teacher Incentive Fund (MAP/TIF) project, we thought it was important for the School Board to receive an update on the status of the project and the successes thus far. Convergence Consulting Group (CCG) was approved during the December 11, 2007, School Board meeting as the software consultant team to develop the TIF data management system. They are working hand-in-hand with our Information Services (IS), Human Resources and Assessment and Accountability departments to develop the MAP/TIF system of the future and to ensure that we are completing this year’s calculations in a transparent, efficient and accurate manner. As part of that process we have made a point to communicate as much information as possible to all teachers and administrators on the eligibility requirements for MAP/TIF so that they have a better understanding of the process and are incentivized to improve their performance gains. Examples of communications include meetings with teachers and staff, distribution of a DVD explaining the process, as well as three reports that have been distributed to all schools. These reports are Student Test Completeness, MAP Group Assignment, and Student Pre-Test Score listing. All three of these reports put us at a major advantage from last year and allow us to educate our teachers and administrators on how we will assess them for MAP/TIF purposes. Although we are extremely proud of our successes thus far and are happy to report we are on time and budget, we would like to get permission to negotiate a new contract with CCG for year two of the TIF grant which starts July 1, 2008. Funding is already included in the year two TIF Grant budget. We would like to move forward with CCG to ensure we have the necessary support during the final phase of the project prior to payout of the incentive funds and to assist with critical enhancements to the TIF system. Business Objects provided the District with company names of certified business partners. A committee reviewed and selected the best qualified company. CCG is currently registered with our Office of Supplier Diversity.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

This recommendation meets Division Key Objective Areas of Data Accuracy and Financial Performance in support of the District Plan of Work.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

The year two Federal Grant budget for TIF software consulting is $250,000. CCG services are provided on a time and materials basis and since CCG is a local firm, there is no additional travel or per diem expenses.

EVALUATION

The TIF grant has very specific monitoring and reporting requirements which in conjunction with the project milestones and time-line will enable the project team to track and report progress of the consultants. In addition, the CCG consultants work directly with the lead IS Department programmer on the TIF project who provides regular feedback on the progress of these services.

SUBMITTED BY: Daniel Schultz, Information Services Applications Manager and Tanly Cabrera, TIF Project Manager

Jack E. Davis
Chief Information and Technology Officer
(813) 272-4600
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080415_291 * Section A Item# 5.05