HCPS FL Logo Student Services and Federal Programs
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, November 8, 2011
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Black Girl Speaks Productions, Inc. (BGS) to Provide Initial BGS Training and Workshop Series at Blake and Middleton High Schools (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Black Girl Speaks Productions, Inc. (BGS) will provide an intial training (Black Girl Speaks Productions, Inc.) for 200 female students of all races, in grades 9 - 12, at Blake (100 students) and Middleton (100 students) High Schools.  The students will be selected by school staff.  The focus of the initial training is to use theater to increase self-esteem, self-awareness, and address problematic social behavior within the female student population.  From the 200 students participating in the initial training, school staff will select 50 students, 25 from Blake and 25 from Middleton High Schools, to participate in a series of workshops.  Students in the workshops will be tutored and mentored for one grading period (nine weeks), one hour per week.  After completion of the nine-week workshop series, continuous weekly mentoring will be provided throughout the 2011/2012 academic year.

The BGS curriculum expands vocabulary, increases self-esteem, self-awareness, and writing effectiveness.  Workshops and lectures provide a distinctive experience enhancing creative writing and reading skills.  Comprehension and conflict resolution techniques will also be taught.  Participants are engaged in thought-provoking discussions that encourage girls to express themselves through the power of word, rather than violence or other destructive means. The workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of the students.  At the end of the program, a culminating activity will take place.  Blake High School will provide funds for transporting students to Middleton for the initial workshop.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)

The cost of this agreement is $35,000, and will be paid using Title I funds.

EVALUATION
After the initial BGS training, a survey/questionnaire will be distributed to the 200 students in attendance asking what the students learned from the production and its overall impact on them.  The results will be used by the principal/staff to determine the effectiveness of the presentation.  To evaluate the workshops, an initial and final Self-Esteem Survey will be conducted and student observations will be documented to assess increase in self-esteem.  Additionally, Weekly Progress Reports, and the collection and summation of student academic and behavioral records will be analyzed to show academic and behavioral progression.  The principals/staff will be responsible for collecting and interpreting the data and determining the success of the program based on student growth.
SUBMITTED BY: 
Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent   Gretchen Saunders
Student Servcies and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 5.01a
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20111108_507 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.01a