Hillsborough County Public Schools Business
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, February 24, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve License Contract with the Tampa Convention Center to Host the 2009 Elementary School Battle of the Books, Area Competition (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the License Contract with the Tampa Convention Center to conduct the 2009 Elementary Battle of the Books, Area Competition on May 7, 2009. The Elementary Battle of the Books is a district-wide reading enrichment program for students in grade 4.

The elementary program began 14 years ago with six schools participating and has grown to 136 schools participating last year. This year, we are expecting 140 elementary schools to compete in the Battle, which is an exciting and fun way to foster good reading habits.

During the school year, students read a total of eighteen (18) preselected titles, which are the current Sunshine State Young Readers titles. In the spring, students are given a written qualifying test and based on the results, a team of four (4) students comprise the class battle team. Class teams compete against one another at a local battle, which is held at the school. The winning team from each school participates in the area battle, which will be held at the Tampa Convention Center on May 7, 2009. The winning team from each of the seven (7) areas then competes in the district battle, which will be held in the School Board Auditorium in the ROSSAC Building on May 21, 2009. All battles include title and author questions, which focus on the plot, characters, and setting of each book.

The purpose of the Battle of the Books program is to encourage recreational reading, to offer a variety of types of literature, to increase familiarity with different authors, and to share books through written and oral expression. Research has found that students who participate in free voluntary or recreational reading did as well or better in reading comprehension tests than students whose only source of reading was classroom basal reading instruction. It has also been proven that reading as a leisure activity is the best predictor of comprehension, vocabulary, and reading speed.

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

* Motivate students to become responsible learners

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $6,950 to cover the cost of renting the Tampa Convention Center will be donated by Baker & Taylor Books and twenty (20) other book and technology sponsors.

EVALUATION

Records will be kept on the number of students and schools participating in the 2008/2009 Elementary School Battle of the Books.

SUBMITTED BY: Barbara B. Hancock, General Director, Elementary Education 
Barbara Rooks, Supervisor, Elementary Media

Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders, Chief Business Officer
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.09
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20090224_344 * Section A Item# 5.09