Hillsborough County Public Schools Information and Technology
Action Item

DATE: Thursday, September 4, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approval of Agreement for Technical Services for Reading Endorsement Competency Courses, Fall 2008 (Information and Technology Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Reading Endorsement Program will conduct face-to-face and online competency training, September 8, 2008, through December 9, 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 (60 in-service hours each) Florida Department of Education approved Reading Endorsement competency courses: 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)

District Strategic Objective: HR - Recruit, develop and retain a highly effective and diverse workforce.

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 5.21
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080904_299 * Section A Item# 5.21