HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, December 15, 2015
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement with The School Board of Polk County, Florida 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
The School Board of Hillsborough County, FL (HCPS) was recently awarded $1,797,781 from the Florida Department of Education through the competitive Math/Science Partnership STEM Grant Project for year two of the AMP-STEM 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 faculty 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 second year of the project and provide a total of $769,697 to Polk County Public Schools and a total of $101,674 to USF for this period of the grant.

HCPS will be the first signer on the Agreement with The School Board of Polk County, Florida.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $871,371 will be available in the Math/Science Partnership Grant. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to the grant is 2938. As of November 13, 2015, the remaining balance amount in the project is $1,681,717.23.
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 district's Assessment and Accountability Department will work in collaboration with the external organization to provide the required reporting.
SUBMITTED BY:  Larry R. Plank, Director, K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
Denny B. Oest   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    C 6.15
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20151215_706 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.15