HCPS FL Logo Educational Leadership and Professional Development
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, May 1, 2018
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services between Learning Forward and The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida (HCPS) to Participate in the Student Success Learning Network (Educational Leadership and Professional Development)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
HCPS will participate in the Learning Forward Student Success Learning Network (SSLN). This network involves 17 districts nationwide and is focused on improving college and career readiness. Specifically, the Theory of Action for the Network is the following “If members of the SSLN commit to continuous improvement and collective responsibility, then participating schools and districts will employ strategies and tactics that will positively impact change with postsecondary readiness indicators, especially for targeted/historically underserved groups.”

Throughout the SSLN, each district is focused on a shared problem of practice but responsible for actively learning throughout the process of inquiry. The three district school sites are specifically focused on improving targeted small-group intervention support to students performing in the bottom quartile in reading. Learning Forward is responsible for coordinating the interactions between districts. During these convenings, districts will have the opportunity for targeted networking, collective knowledge building, and progress reporting. Strategic partnerships, such as Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching, Education Resource Strategies, and UnboundEd will support the inclusion of improvement science principles, Professional Development resource alignment, and instructional materials.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $50,000 will be available in the Title II Project.  For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3389.  As of April 9, 2018, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $103,169.60.
EVALUATION
HCPS also participated in the Learning Forward Network last school year.  As a result of the year-long deep dive into a problem of practice and networking with colleagues across the country, as well as experts from the field of professional development, the district rolled out a rubric that defines high quality professional learning.  The rubric is called the RADAR rubric and is based on the national standards for professional learning.  One-hundred percent of our schools use the rubric to plan for job embedded professional learning based on the needs of their teachers.  The plans have resulted in more just-in-time, school-based professional learning opportunities for staff.  Eighty-two percent of teachers completing the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) survey currently feel that professional development is individualized to meet their needs.  As a result of full-implementation of RADAR, we are striving for an increase of five percent this school year.  By participating in this next Learning Forward Network, we will continue to grow as an organization by sharing key learnings and implementing plans that will positively impact the entire district.
SUBMITTED BY: 
Tricia McManus   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Educatonal Leadership and Professional Development
813-840-4876
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    C 6.20
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20180501_871 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section C Item# 6.20