Information Item
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Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item |
| DATE: | Tuesday, July 31, 2012 |
| TO: | School Board Members |
| FROM: | MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent |
| SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS | |
| Implementation of Microsoft IT Academy in Hillsborough County Public Schools Through Sponsorship from Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for the 2012/2013 School Year (Career, Technical, and Adult Education) | |
| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | |
| The FLDOE is sponsoring the Microsoft IT Academy for many of the middle and high school sites in Hillsborough County for the 2012/2013 school year. The Microsoft IT Academy program is a college and career ready program designed to provide students with the 21st century technology skills necessary to earn Microsoft certifications and be competitive in the globally evolving workplace. Students will have access to web-based e-learning courses and engage in hands-on experiences with the latest Microsoft software and programs giving them an edge to gain job-ready skills and industry credentials while still in school.
This Microsoft IT Academy is aligned with the district curriculum and will be used by multiple Career and Technical Education programs as students prepare for Microsoft Industry Certification exams. In addition, all students in the designated schools (attachment) will have access to Microsoft IT Academy e-learning 24-hours a day from any internet connected computer. The achievement of industry certification credentials are a required component of Career Academies as outlined in Florida’s Career and Professional Education (CAPE) legislation. Students successfully earning industry certifications generate weighted FTE funding back to the Career and Technical Education programs where the student is enrolled. Student participation and performance in industry certification testing is included in the calculation of school grades. The Microsoft IT Academy educator training initiative is underway with the support of the Center for Technology Education and the district’s Department of Professional Development. |
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| STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES | |
| • Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum | |
| FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No) | |
| There will be no cost to the district to implement the Microsoft IT Academy at these specific sites. Students will be able to prepare for and take industry certification tests through district funded testing licenses. Students who earn industry certifications have the potential to generate weighted FTE to be used to pay for future student certification preparation and testing fees. | |
| EVALUATION | |
| N/A | |
| SUBMITTED BY: Chris Jargo, Supervisor, Business Technology Education | |
| Larry Plank | Wynne A. Tye | |
| Director of K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (813) 272-4439 |
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction (813) 272-4221 |
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| A 9.02 | ||
| Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20120731_510 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 9.02 | ||