Hillsborough County Public Schools Information and Technology
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Agreement for Technical Services for Summer 2008, Reading Endorsement Competency Courses (Information and Technology Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Reading Endorsement Program will conduct face to face and online competency training, May 27, 2008, through June 27, 2008, for approximately 520 teachers.

The Reading Endorsement is an "add-on" to other certifications. Teachers who teach identified reading courses are required to add the Reading Endorsement to their certificates. The Reading Endorsement must be added in order to remain in compliance with federally mandated requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The Reading Endorsement consists of 300 in-service points which teachers complete through five courses of 60 in-service hours. The Florida Department of Education Reading Endorsement competency courses include: Competency 1 - Foundations of Language and Cognition; Competency 2 - Foundations of Research-Based Practices; Competency 3 - Foundations of Assessment; Competency 4/5 - Foundations and application of Differentiated Instruction; and Competency 6 - Demonstration of Accomplished Practices.

Agreements for Technical Services have been prepared for the attached list of Reading Endorsement Competency course trainers. Reading Endorsement trainers are certified to train Reading Endorsement Competency courses through rigorous instruction and practice while completing the train the trainer courses. In order to provide teachers with courses needed to become "highly qualified" under the NCLB mandate, permission is requested to add and delete trainers as needed, not to exceed the budgeted amount of $56,000.

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

Goal 1: The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points. Critical Success Factor: Assign high-performing teachers to teach students performing below grade level.
Goal 5: The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of ten percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind. Critical Success Factor: Provide Staff Development programs that match instructional delivery strategies with diverse student achievement needs.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $56,000 are included in the Comprehensive Reading Plan, Staff Development Project 4526. Trainers are paid a flat fee of $2,000 to train a 60 in-service hour Reading Endorsement Competency course.

EVALUATION

Participants will complete an online course evaluation of the training.

SUBMITTED BY: Charles Fleming, Director, Staff Development

Jack E. Davis
Chief Information and Technology Officer
(813) 272-4600 		Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.08
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080520_293 * Section A Item# 5.08