Curriculum and Instruction Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, January 20, 2015
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Polk County Public Schools and the Memorandum of Agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) for Services Associated with the Implementation of the Math/Science Partnership Grant Project:  Accelerating Maximum Potential in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (AMP-STEM) (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) was recently awarded $1,134,621 from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) through the competitive Math/Science Partnership (STEM) grant project.  AMP-STEM is a collaborative project with Polk County Public Schools and USF designed to enhance the skills of each district's mathematics and science teaching force to ultimately increase student achievement in STEM subjects in elementary, middle, and high schools.  AMP-STEM consists of three components: teacher training that addresses hard to teach content in elementary and middle school mathematics and science; development of K-8 lessons that integrate STEM concepts in mathematics and science; and credentialing of more mathematics and science teachers in middle and high schools.  Professional development workshops will be collaboratively designed and delivered by faculty of all three collaborating partners.  This agreement will cover the first year of the project and provide a total of $471,691 to Polk County Public Schools and a total of $61,505 to USF for this period of the grant.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum • Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funding for this project is provided by the FLDOE.  HCPS serves as the fiscal agent for this grant project.
EVALUATION
Under the terms of the grant, HCPS is responsible for project evaluation.  HCPS will contract with an external, third-party organization that will conduct an independent evaluation.  HCPS personnel, Polk County Public Schools personnel, and key personnel from the Assessment and Accountability Department will work in collaboration with the external organization to provide the required reporting.
SUBMITTED BY:  Larry R. Plank, Ed.S., Director, K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Wynne A. Tye		Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services (813) 273-7033		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		A 6.10
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20150120_682 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.10