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 Continuation Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education, and if Approved, Accept Funds for ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY - CORRECTIONS Project, 2008/2009 - $100,000 (Adult and Community Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval to submit a continuation grant application to the Florida Department of Education for Corrections Programs to obtain supplemental, performance-based funding in the amount of $100,000 to enhance, improve, and expand the delivery system of educational services to incarcerated adults. The purpose of funding is to assist incarcerated adults in becoming literate and obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency. Participating adult students will receive instructional services to improve basic literacy skills; obtain job training skills; improve English language, reading, writing, and speaking skills; and obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). The primary focus of the project service is to provide opportunities for participants to re-enter the mainstream community and become employable, productive citizens. The targeted population consists of incarcerated adults in a correctional institution or other such institutions who are likely to leave the institution within 5 years, are 16 years of age or older, beyond compulsory school age, do not have a secondary school diploma, and are not enrolled in a secondary school.

Supplemental funds will be used to enhance learning opportunities through the employment of a full-time Vocational Placement Advisor, a part-time placement and follow-up advisor and the purchase of instructional software, computer equipment, curriculum materials, and educational supplies.

For the past several years, the Department of Adult and Community Education has successfully implemented the Adult Education and Family Literacy Corrections Project, increasing performance outcomes for the district and exceeding project goals each year. During the 2006/2007 school year, performance measures reported for the Corrections Project included 489 Literacy Completion Points, 67 adult students placed into career/technical training and employment, and 53 adult students who earned a State of Florida High School Diploma (GED). For the current project period (2007/2008), the Department of Adult and Community Education has successfully met performance outcomes to date and anticipates exceeding project goals for the year.

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

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

If approved, grant funds of $100,000 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. All direct and indirect costs are included in the grant budget.

EVALUATION

Evaluation measures required by the grant are determined by the Florida Department of Education. The annual state performance report will be completed in October 2009 and shared with all stakeholders.

SUBMITTED BY: Karine E. Johns, Supervisor, Adult Instruction

Elsa A. Tuggle
Director, Adult and Community Education
(813) 740-7762
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
A 1.02c
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080610_330 * Section A Item# 1.02c