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Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services for DKH Consulting Services to Perform the External Evaluation of the Federally Funded Project, Smaller Learning Communities - Tomorrow's Leaders (Information and Technology Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) Tomorrow's Leaders grant is a federally-funded initiative to build communities around the concepts of leadership and academic rigor at eight targeted district schools.  The initiative's goal is to create schools-within-a-school to lessen the negative impact large school settings have on students.  The project provides services and activities as follows:  1) implementation of rigorous academic programs for all participating students; 2) extensive and ongoing professional development for school personnel; 3) extensive use of data to inform and drive teaching/learning/assessment; 4) post-secondary planning/preparation that includes intensive intervention for students; 5) development of instructional supports that create a personalized learning environment/community; 6) ongoing leadership training for all stakeholders.  The schools involved are: Armwood, Brandon, Durant, Hillsborough, Jefferson, King, Riverview, and Robinson High Schools.

The grant requires that the project be monitored by an external evaluator.  DKH Consulting Services conducted prior years' evaluations (See Attachment 4) of the Smaller Learning Communities grant.  To provide continuity, DKH Consulting has been asked to conduct the fifth year evaluation as well.  DKH (specifically, Dr. Deidra Honeywell) has worked with public schools in obtaining, winning, and evaluating grants; she is knowledgeable about the grant process, including curriculum integration.  Dr. Honeywell is well known in Florida and in Washington D.C.  Executive Summary continued on Attachment 1.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
The Smaller Learning Community - Tomorrow's Leaders project is funded by a federal grant.  Of the $1,973,100 awarded for the grant, $60,000 is allocated for an external evaluation.
EVALUATION
Formative reports will be submitted for approval after the on-site visits are completed at schools.  A final report will be submitted at the conclusion of the project for approval prior to final payment.
SUBMITTED BY:  Samuel R. Whitten, Assistant Director, Assessment and Accountability
David J. Steele, Ph.D.   Gretchen Saunders
Chief Information and Technology Officer and Project Director, Empowering Effective Teachers
(813) 272-4600
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 5.07
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20120214_493 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.07