HCPS FL Logo 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.

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
    A 6.03R
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20130813_593 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.03R