Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, June 10, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Technology Educators for K-5 Science Teachers Summer Workshop, June 10 - June 27, 2008 - $7,200 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the Agreement for Technical Services with Technology Educators for the services of Larry Chew to provide training for 80 elementary science teachers involved in the Project CLASS (Collaborative Leaders Achieving Science Success) Grant, Grades K-5, on June 10 – June 27, 2008. The purpose of Project CLASS is to target teachers to promote exemplary science instruction by addressing content, collaboration, and leadership skills. The teachers involved in this two-week summer institute will be provided the highest quality training in content and best practice in science instruction. Participants will utilize their new skills during the student camps in week three.

The two-week summer institute workshop will be held at Greco Middle and Mort Elementary Schools and the one-week summer camps will be held at Mort and Pizzo Elementary Schools. Training will be provided for six days, 6 hours per day during the two-week summer institute and the one- week summer camp. Training content includes instruction in the inquiry method of teaching science to elementary students. Mr. Chew will provide teacher training materials for the science labs and will mentor the teachers as they teach the children at the summer camp. The teachers will also instruct the children and practice the pedagogy and content that was learned during the first part of the training. Technology Educators will provide all of the handouts and hands-on materials for the workshop.

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

Goal 3 - Student performance on FCAT science will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $7,200 are included in the CLASS Grant budget, Project 1406.

EVALUATION

Students will be assessed for their understanding of physical science concepts taught in the summer camp with a pre-test and a post-test. The FCAT scores for the students involved in the summer camps will be compared to those students not participating.

SUBMITTED BY: Barbara B. Hancock, General Director, Elementary Education 
Elizabeth Hunnicutt, Supervisor, Elementary Science

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.30
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080610_330 * Section A Item# 5.30