HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, March 18, 2014
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve License Contract with the Tampa Convention Center to Host the 2014 Barbara Rooks Elementary Battle of the Books Competition (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We request approval of the License Contract with the Tampa Convention Center to conduct the Elementary Battle of the Books Competition on May 29, 2014. This event is a districtwide reading enrichment program for students in grade 4.  The elementary program began 19 years ago with 6 schools participating. This year we are expecting 144 elementary schools to compete in the battle, which is an exciting and engaging way to foster good reading habits.

During the school year, students read a total of 15 preselected titles, which are the current Sunshine State Young Readers titles.  In the spring, students are given a written qualifying test and, based on the results, a team of four students comprise the class battle team. Class teams compete against one another at a local battle held at the school.  All battles include title and author questions, which focus on the plot, characters, and setting of each book. The winning team from each school participates in the district battle held at the Tampa Convention Center.

The purpose of this event is to encourage recreational reading, to offer a variety of types of literature, to increase familiarity with different authors, and to share books through written and oral expression. Research has found that students who participate in voluntary or recreational reading do as well or better on reading comprehension tests than students whose only source of reading is classroom reading instruction.  It has also been proven that reading as a leisure activity is the best predictor of comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

It is the practice of the Tampa Convention Center to sign any negotiated contract after it has been signed by the Licensee, in this case The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Motivate students to become responsible learners
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
Funds of $9,000 to cover the cost of renting the Tampa Convention Center were donated by various library media and technology vendors.
EVALUATION
Fourth grade reading comprehension scores will increase as measured by Florida Assessment for Instruction in Reading (FAIR) and/or FCAT Reading.
SUBMITTED BY:  Barbara 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 6.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20140318_629 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.05