Workforce Connections Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, September 10, 2019
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services # 19132-ATS-IV with NAF (formerly National Academy Foundation) to Continue Providing Curriculum and Academy Support for Workforce Connection Academies (Workforce Connections)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 1995, the School Board has partnered with NAF (formerly National Academy Foundation), a non-profit education organization that provides support for the establishment of various academies of special curriculum focus. NAF Academies focus on career exposure and preparation at the high school level with the objective of eliminating barriers to create an interdisciplinary program to ensure student success in preparation for employment and higher education.  NAF provides digital curriculum materials, academy implementation resources, and a dedicated NAF Academy Development Director to support teachers and district staff in implementing the NAF Academy model with fidelity. Each program will use NAFTrack, which provides Academies with opportunities for student certification, a dedicated online professional network and opportunities for employer engagement. As a NAF Academy completer, students are provided opportunities at a wide variety of organizations that affiliate with the NAF Network.  In the 2019/2020 school year, Hillsborough County Public Schools has the following NAF Academies in operation: Academy of Finance at Armwood, Brandon, Chamberlain, and Jefferson High Schools Academy of Information Technology at Brandon and Steinbrenner High Schools Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Leto High School The district intends to expand NAF Academies to the following sites in the 2020/2021 school year: Academy of Health Science at East Bay High School Academy of Biomedical (Health Science) at Plant City High School Academy of Engineering at Gaither High School Academy of Mechatronics (Engineering) at Leto High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Lennard High School   In addition, the district is planning to identify five additional NAF Academies for the 2021/2022 school year.
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 $73,300 will be available in the Secondary Perkins Grant for the 2019/2020 school year. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3728. The Secondary Perkins Grant is applied for and approved on an annual basis. Funds in the amount of up to $81,600 will be requested in the Perkins Grant budget for Fiscal Year 2021, and up to $29,750 will be requested in the Perkins Grant budget for Fiscal Year 2022.
EVALUATION
In 2018/2019, there were approximately 1,422 students enrolled in NAF Academies at seven high schools, which was a 35 percent increase from the prior year's enrollment of 1,050 students. There were approximately 50 rising Seniors who participated in the 2019 Summer Internship program. These students have multiple opportunities to participate in advisory board meetings, career exploration visits and career and technical student organizations. Each year, site-based NAF Academy Directors perform a self-evaluation as part of NAF’s process. Hillsborough County currently has one “Model” Academy at Jefferson High School and six “Certified” Academies. Each program uses the NAFTrack system to input and view data over multiple years.  In the 2019/2020 year we will utilize a wide variety of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the NAF program, including student enrollment, academy self-evaluations, summer intern placement, opportunities for Career Exploration Visits, business partner engagement and participation in Career & Technical Student Organizations.
SUBMITTED BY:  Warren S. Brooks, Workforce Connections Officer, Workforce Connections

Warren S. Brooks		Gretchen Saunders
Workforce Connections Officer, Workforce Connections (813) 231-1860		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		B 6.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20190910_930 (Board Meeting followed by Public Hearing) * Section B Item# 6.05