HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 2013
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of “Conscious Discipline Materials” from Loving Guidance, Inc. (Sole-Source Provider) (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive social and emotional intelligence classroom management program that empowers both teachers and students. The goal of the program is to provide systematic changes in schools by fostering the emotional intelligence of teachers first and children second.  Approximately 400 teachers were trained on this program during the 2012/2013 school year through districtwide trainings and school-based workshops offered at our 4 pilot schools:  Bailey, Desoto, Edison, and Roosevelt elementary schools.  When combined with the teachers trained during the previous year, the program has impacted approximately 625 classrooms. For the 2013/2014 school year, two schools have been selected for schoolwide implementation of the program:  Broward and Summerfield elementary schools.   Additional districtwide training will be offered for 180 teachers.

Conscious Discipline revolves around teachers utilizing seven basic skills of discipline to constructively respond to conflict in the classroom.  Teachers who use these seven basic skills create a classroom that models the life values needed to enable each student to excel as a responsible citizen.  Conscious Discipline leads teachers, providers, schools, and programs through a process that promotes permanent behavior changes in both teachers and children.

Recent research shows that with the increased demands being placed on students as academic standards become more advanced, students are becoming more aggressive and showing less self control than in previous years. Over the past decade, we have seen a rise in anger and aggression in young children reflected in increasing reports of behavior problems and in-school/out-of-school suspensions.

The Conscious Discipline materials are sole source and exempt from the bidding process per Florida Department of Education 6A-1.012 purchasing policies as copyrighted materials.

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)
Funds of approximately $141,000 will be available from Professional Development.  This is our best estimate based on off-site training conferences, training materials, speaker fees, and classroom material costs.
EVALUATION
Referrals, assessment data, and teacher surveys will be used to continually evaluate the effectiveness of the program.                                                                                                            
SUBMITTED BY:  Barbara B. Hancock, General Director, Elementary Education
Lisa Black, Kindergarten Supervisor
Kelley Beall, District Resource Teacher, VPK
Wynne A. Tye   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.19
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20130611_565 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.19