HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 2013
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Recommendation of the Renewal Purchase of Student Licenses from Renaissance Learning, Inc. for the 2013/2014 School Year (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We request approval for the renewal purchase of Renaissance Place student licenses for the 2013/2014 school year.  Renaissance Place is the portal used to facilitate Accelerated Reader, STAR Reading, and other Renaissance Learning, Inc. software.

Since the purchase of Renaissance Place in 2008, all 144 elementary sites have access to any Accelerated Reader quiz available.  New quizzes are automatically updated into the database weekly and all data management is provided at the district level.  This alleviates the site of technical issues as well as entering data and quizzes individually.  No matter which elementary school the student transfers from within Hillsborough County Public Schools, the student will have the same Accelerated Reader quiz available and their historical record follows them.  Parents can access "Home Connect" and follow their child's progress in this program, as well as set up email alerts when their child has taken a quiz.  Each site is responsible for the recurring yearly subscription cost for student licenses needed at their site.  Support is provided digitally from the vendor as well as the Renaissance Place Conference (RP Conference) located in IDEAS for exchange of questions, suggestions, ideas, and success stories.

Reading practice is essential in developing the critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities that ensure a lifelong love of reading and learning.  While Accelerated Reader does not replace the reading instruction given in a classroom and is not intended to limit student choice, it can be used to support the reading curriculum.  The Department of Elementary Education supports Accelerated Reader as a motivational reading program.

In accordance with Florida Department of Education, Purchasing Policy 6A-1.012(11)(b), the requirement for requesting competitive solicitations for commodities or contractual services from three or more sources is hereby waived as authorized by Section 1010.04(4)(a), F. S. for purchase by district school boards of educational services and any type of copyrighted materials where such materials are purchased directly from the owner of the copyright.  Renaissance Learning holds all copyright, patent, trademark, and all other intellectual property rights to Accelerated Reader.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds of $203,676 are available from these sources:  Internal, Title I, Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
EVALUATION
Success will be measured through statistical data retrieved from Renaissance Place.  This will include usage at each site and more importantly the success index based upon 85 percent or higher on reading comprehension quizzes.
SUBMITTED BY:  Barbara B. Hancock, Instructional Leadership Director, Elementary
Wynne A. Tye   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.18
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20131105_601 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.18