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Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, January 15, 2013
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Multi-Dimensional Education, Inc. (MDED) for the Evaluation of the Responsible Engaged Students Promoting Empathy, Caring and Trust (RESPECT) Project (Information and Technology Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Project RESPECT seeks to implement a character education program at 40 elementary schools that is integrated into classroom instruction and carried out in conjunction with current evaluation reform efforts.  RESPECT integrates a research-based character education program, Too Good for Violence, with elementary school reading curriculum, based on the state and federal Reading First reform initiative.  The program promotes eight core character traits; caring, cooperation, courage, fairness, honesty, respect, responsibility, and self-discipline.  Students learn and reinforce positive character traits as they participate in reading content instruction, thereby improving their academic achievement in reading and their pro-social skills at the same time.

The partners of Multi-Dimensional Education, Inc., Dr. Michael Corrigan and Dr. Douglas Grove, are internationally recognized for their expertise in education and assessment.  Together they have evaluated a number of large longitudinal U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) grants, as well as managing research efforts funded through the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Executive Summary continues on Attachment 1.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Motivate students to become responsible learners • Promote a culture of safety, which is free from harassment, bullying, and aggression
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Of the $435,911.00 awarded for the project, $84,000 has been specifically allocated for this year 5 rigorous independent evaluation required by the federal funding agency.
EVALUATION
An annual year 5 evaluation report, as required by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) will be submitted to the funding agency and the Department of Assessment and Accountability for Hillsborough County Public Schools.
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 5.08
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20130115_550 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.08