Hillsborough County Public Schools Business
Action Item

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

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Agreement for Technical Services for the Homeless Education and Literacy Project (HELP) (Information and Technology Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Homeless Education and Literacy Project (HELP) is a grant-funded program intended to facilitate homeless students' access to education in accordance with the provision of the McKinney-Vento Act. One of the components of the grant stipulates that an annual evaluation of the program will be performed. In 2007/2008, 2,232 students were identified as homeless. Of those, approximately 500 families were served by the grant. This year's evaluation will determine how many students were homeless in 2008/2009 and how many families were involved with the program. Dr. Sondra Fogel has been asked to perform the evaluation of this program. Dr. Fogel is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida. She has performed this annual task for the last two years. Previous annual Homeless Grant evaluation reports are archived in the Department of Assessment and Accountability.

Dr. Fogel's evaluation duties will include, but not be limited to, completing interviews with students and program personnel, meeting with program managers and social workers, and collecting and analyzing student data. Dr. Fogel will also coordinate with grant writers on the proposal for the 2009/2010 school year.

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

* Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

The Homeless Education and Literacy Project (HELP) has a total grant budget of $142,500. Of this amount, $6,000 is designated for evaluation.

EVALUATION

Dr. Sondra Fogel will submit an interim status report and an annual report to the Program Manager, the Department of Assessment and Accountability, and the District.

SUBMITTED BY: John A. Hilderbrand, Director, Assessment and Accountability

David J. Steele
Chief Information and Technology Officer
(813) 272-4600
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.15
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20090324_346 * Section A Item# 5.15