Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item |
DATE: | Tuesday, August 13, 2013 |
TO: | School Board Members |
FROM: | MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent |
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS | |
Approve the Recommendation of the Purchase of Gizmos Licenses from ExploreLearning (Sole-Source Provider), a Division of LAZEL, Inc. (Curriculum and Instruction Division) Added Attachment | |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | |
ExploreLearning will provide an online subscription service of mathematics and science Gizmos and associated professional development and training. The ExploreLearning license fee includes: (1) annual site licenses for all Hillsborough County middle and high school administrators, science and mathematics teachers, and students, (2) ongoing upgrades and maintenance, including additional Gizmos to be developed in alignment to Common Core Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, and (3) professional development and site-based follow up support for all middle and high schools.
Gizmos are award-winning online simulations that drive inquiry and exploration, providing students with a platform to collect and analyze data in real time while developing strong conceptual understanding of mathematics and science concepts. In alignment with research-based best practices and Common Core State Standards, Gizmos allow students to represent new knowledge in graphic/nonlinguistic formats. Gizmos are versatile tools that may be used by teachers in direct, whole class or small group instruction, individualized homework, and formative assessment. While using Gizmos, teachers engage in rigorous and exploratory-based instruction with students to ensure their academic success. ExploreLearning provides the online subscription services of Gizmos and holds the copyright to these services, therefore, is exempt from the solicitation process per Florida Department of Education rule 6A-1.012. |
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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES | |
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Align financial resources to support the district’s strategic goals • Demonstrate best financial practices | |
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes) | |
Budgeted funds of $456,676.40 are available through Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI). | |
EVALUATION | |
Evaluation of the program will be based on the classroom usage of the instructional tool by teachers and students through online data reporting, as well as targeted students' proficiency upon Florida End of Course (EOC) examinations in Algebra I, Biology I, and Geometry. During the 2012/2013 school year, Gizmos usage by students and teachers increased over 200%. | |
SUBMITTED BY: Larry R. Plank, Ed.S., Director K-12 STEM |
Wynne A. Tye | Gretchen Saunders | |
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction (813) 272-4221 |
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270 |
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A 6.03R | ||
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20130813_593 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.03R |