Approve Contract with Grace Consulting Group to Provide Summer Program Activities and Training for Students and Parents, As Well As, Teachers Serving The Population Residing In East Tampa Zip Codes 33603, 33604, 33605, 33610, and 33619 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

In March of this year, the Florida Department of Education allocated additional Title I dollars to Hillsborough County Public Schools for the purpose of impacting student populations at risk of dropping out of school. These dollars are required to be expended by the conclusion of this year’s fiscal budget period. Grace Consulting Group has pre-identified students, parents, and teachers who will participate in a summer program designed to provide drop out prevention activities and trainings to students residing in East Tampa. The objective is to break the negative cycle and strengthen leadership skills and opportunities for behaviorally challenged youth. The Framework 4 Greatness program will allow students to participate in program oriented field trips, community service projects, and Spirit of Unity Days. Parents and teachers will participate in trainings that will allow them to support the youth they serve. Grace Consulting Group will follow up with participating students for 90 days to help reinforce skills taught during this summer program and collect data to determine the program’s success.

Goal 5 - The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

This contract will be paid using Title I funds in the amount of $22,050.

By November 1, 2008, the District will receive student data from Grace Consulting Group to determine the overall impact of the activities provided through this contract. Data will include pre and post-disposition data regarding participating students and parents. Verification of student academic and behavioral data will be supplied by parents and schools who serve the youth who participated. This data will be reviewed by district staff to determine the effectiveness of the summer program provided by the vendor.