Approve Payment to the University of South Florida (USF) for Services Associated with their Partnership in Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Voluntary Public School Choice Grant (VPSC), Project #U361A070017 (Division of Student Services and Federal Programs)

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) awarded $10,673,384 to HCPS for the district’s VPSC project. The purpose of the program is to establish or expand a public school choice program. The project began October 1, 2007, and ends September 30, 2012, with Year Two funding of $2,259,687. Of the total amount awarded in Year Two, $324,056 is allocated for project services rendered by USF. The schools targeted in this grant are Temple Terrace Elementary, James Elementary, Franklin Middle, Sligh Middle, Memorial Middle, Jennings Middle, Shields Middle, Greco Middle, Eisenhower Middle, Pierce Middle, Webb Middle, Tomlin Middle, Marshall Middle, Turkey Creek Middle, Dowdell Middle, Giunta Middle, McLane Middle, Madison Middle, Spoto High, Lennard High, King High, East Bay High, Leto High, Middleton High, Plant City High, and Tampa Bay Technical High. The Project Director for this grant is the district’s Director of Student Planning and Placement. Dr. Donna Elam and staff will provide research, planning, implementation oversight, and materials development to support the integration of culturally competent instructional practices into curriculum and instruction. Dr. Brian Mann, Dr. Jeff Kromery and staff will direct the evaluation activities (see Attachment A, Scope of Work, for details).

Funding for this project is provided by USDOE VPSC grant, Project #U361A070017. HCPS is the grant’s fiscal agent and project funds reside at this site. Total amount awarded in year two is $324,056.

Under the terms of the grant, HCPS is responsible for project evaluation. A copy of the annual reports and final evaluation report will be provided to HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the Year Two annual report is December 30, 2009.