HCPS FL Logo Chief of Schools
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, July 30, 2019
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services #19128-ATS-IV with PEAK Learning Systems for Spoto and Armwood High Schools (Leadership, Professional Development, and School Transformation)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
School staffs at Spoto and Armwood High Schools will engage in deep learning focused on instructional tools and strategies in the content areas of math, science, English Language Arts and social studies. Professional learning experiences will be provided by PEAK Learning Systems and will include two full-day face-to-face professional development sessions, two-coaching days for both schools, and twelve hours of virtual coaching, planning and debriefing. Participants from each school will receive Peak PD resources booklets, black and white consumable instructional booklets, and “Our Kids are Worth Whatever it Takes” posters. They will also receive Teaching for Excellence resource books, PEAK instructional posters, and a copy of the book, Teaching for Excellence.

After participating in the professional learning provided by Peak, staff will take part in peer observations to observe practices in action and continue growing from one another. Ongoing feedback will be provided by peer teachers and school leaders.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Improve Student Achievement • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $92,150 will be available in the Title IV budget. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3743. As of July 29, 2019, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $92,150.
EVALUATION
PEAK Learning Systems has worked with teachers, schools, and districts from over 20 states to effect measurable and continuous student achievement.  Schools have shown continuous growth from year to year in having better grades, improved attendance, decreased discipline referrals, and increases in achievement on standardized test scores.  Pinellas County Schools implemented PEAK Learning Systems and in a World Languages class and 94 percent of students received an A, with a grading scale based on 90 percent assessments. In Whitepine School District, their implementation of PEAK Learning Systems has afforded them the opportunity to offer more dual enrollment courses in English Language Arts to their students due to the English Department chair being impressed with the writing samples submitted from students who were instructed using the PEAK Learning Systems strategies. Those students were able to leave high school with 9 college English credits.  We will perform our own evaluation of the PEAK Learning System through teacher participation in sessions, teacher coaching sessions, feedback from the sessions, and implementation of learned skills and strategies through observations during classroom walk-throughs.
SUBMITTED BY: 
Yinka Alege, Interim Deputy Director, Achievement Schools, Small Learning Network 3
Tricia McManus   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Leadership, Professional Development, and School Transformation
(813) 272-4876
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    B 6.07
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20190730_928 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section B Item# 6.07