HCPS FL Logo Deputy Superintendent
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Additional Hour of Daily Reading Instruction Required at Eight Hillsborough County Schools
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For the 2012-13 school year, pursuant to Florida Statute 1011.62, funds were appropriated in order to provide one additional hour of reading instruction for each day of the school year for all K-5 students at 100 elementary schools that were lowest in combined reading proficiency and reading learning gains as measured by the 2012 FCAT.  Hillsborough County will implement this requirement at the following eight district schools:

  • Sulphur Springs Elementary
  • Edison Elementary
  • Potter Elementary
  • BT Washington Elementary
  • Shaw Elementary
  • West Tampa Elementary
  • Oak Park Elementary
  • Graham Elementary

Currently, meetings are being held with school-based leadership and staff to discuss adjustments to the new schedule and begin planning for the most effective use of this additional one hour of reading instruction.  The dismissal time at each of these schools will be 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday with the exception of Potter and B. T. Washington elementary schools which will maintain their current 5 p.m. dismissal time.  The dismissal time at all eight schools will be  and 2:15 p.m. on Monday.  Parent communication efforts will begin the week of July 30, 2012,via a parent letter and multiple parent links.  The transportation department is revising and updating bus schedules so parents will have this information in a timely manner.  Communication will be ongoing up to the start of the first day of school.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
The state has appropriated $2,021,888.00 for the implementation of the additional hour of reading instruction and made it available through the Comprehensive Reading Plan Budget.
EVALUATION
Progress monitoring will occur throughout the year to determine the effectiveness of each school’s implementation of the additional hour of instruction.  At the conclusion of the year, a full analysis will be done of all student reading data as measured by district and state assessments.
SUBMITTED BY: 
Jeff Eakins   Kenneth R. Otero
General Director, Federal Programs
(813) 272-4899
  Deputy Superintendent
(813) 272-4101
    A 9.07R
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20120731_510 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 9.07R