Teaching and Learning Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, August 20, 2019
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of LEGO Education Materials and Curriculum and Related Professional Development Workshops from LEGO Education North America (Sole-Source Provider) (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The learning tools are specifically chosen based on the grade levels served by each school at various elementary and middle schools. LEGO robotics equipment and curriculum offers students the following benefits:  Integrates the power of robotics technology with inquiry-based content and assessment Encourages and enhances a discovery-based science learning environment Brings twenty-first century technology into the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) classroom In accordance with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Purchasing Policy 6A-1.012(12)(d), commodities or contractual services available only from a single source may be exempted from the competitive solicitation requirements. When a district school board believes that commodities or contractual services are available only from a single source as specified by the FLDOE, the district school board may negotiate on the best terms and conditions with the single source vendor.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate • Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Expenditures were $265,523 for the 2018/2019 school year.  Funds in the amount of $104,500 will be available for anticipated purchases for the 2019/2020 school year from the following budgets:  $30,000 Instructional-STEM, Project 6011; $70,000 Categorical Science Lab, Project 4506; $4,500 Perkins/Secondary, Project 3728.
EVALUATION
For the 2018/2019 school year, the use of robotics expanded in our K-12 schools during the regular school day (both for core instruction and electives in middle and high school), during out of school time, including summer camps, and more teams are participating in weekend competitions.  District staff continually review robotics products, and LEGO materials have been selected for these opportunities in grades K-8.
SUBMITTED BY:  Larry R. Plank, Ed.S., Director K-12 STEM

Deborah Cook		Gretchen Saunders
Chief Academic Officer, Teaching and Learning (813) 272-4221		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		B 6.09
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20190820_929 (Board Meeting) * Section B Item# 6.09