HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, September 29, 2015
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Renewal Agreement for Technical Services with the Arts Council of Hillsborough County for the 2015/2016 Artists-in-the-Schools Program (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This program employs and trains over 100 professional artists and touring companies to offer workshops and performances in theatre, dance, music, media, visual arts, and poetry at regular, exceptional, magnet, and alternative school sites. In addition, instructional programs in the arts for teachers and administrators are provided, along with a wide array of performing arts field trip performances at venues throughout the Tampa Bay area. Hillsborough County’s Artists-in-the-Schools Program, a nationally recognized program in our district for over 40 years, is used as an arts-in-education model by many school districts throughout the nation.  Years of study have shown that students of the arts continue to outperform their non-arts peers on college entrance exams. In addition, it is our responsibility to prepare our students for success in the workforce. Florida is now number three in the nation for tech industry jobs – jobs requiring skills that mirror those derived from an arts education.

The mission of the program is to infuse and integrate the arts into every student's day. During the 2014/2015 school year, a total of 99,431 students, parents, and teachers participated in 1,842 arts experiences and field trip performances.  These opportunities were presented by performing companies and individual artists throughout the district in ten performing arts venues. This comprehensive program is funded jointly by the district and the Arts Council. Matching funds for these in-school programs are provided through grants, fees, and donations made by individual organizations.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Motivate students to become responsible learners
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds of $156,332 are included in divisional budgets:  $126,332 - Project 6003 / $30,000 - Project 5307
EVALUATION
Teachers complete a survey after Artists-in-the-Schools performances to evaluate quality of performances and relevance to curriculum. Evaluators are contracted to view and evaluate performances to ensure a high quality experience for students.
SUBMITTED BY:  Barbara B. Hancock, Instructional Leadership Director, Elementary
Melanie Faulkner, Supervisor, Elementary Music
Denny B. Oest   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.08
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20150929_701 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.08