Workforce Connections Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, February 4, 2020
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of Certified Internet Web (CIW) Curriculum and Testing Vouchers with Certification Partners, LLC (Workforce Connections)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CIW Curriculum and Testing Vouchers have been integrated into the curriculum of multiple Career and Technical Education courses, as well as Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles. CIW’s certification offering includes Internet Business Associate, Site Development Associate, E-Commerce, JavaScript Specialist and Advanced HTML5 CSS3. Industry certification tests are a required component of career-themed courses as outlined in Florida’s Career and Professional Education legislation. Students successfully earning industry certifications generate weighted Full Time Equivalent funding and are included in the calculation of school grades. Due to an increase in demand for these certifications, it is projected that additional purchases will be needed for the 2019/2020 school year. Certification Partners is a sole source provider of the CIW Certification Program and curriculum, CIW Authorized Academic Partner Program, and the CIW Certified Testing Center Program. 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)
As of January 13, 2020, the year-to-date expenditures with Certification Partners, LLC are $217,080.  The additional Curriculum and Testing Vouchers needed for the remainder of the school year is estimated to be $75,000 and are purchased as needed. For the 2019/2020 school year, funds will be available in Industry Certification Projects ranging from 4527 to 4719.
EVALUATION
In 2018/2019, students earned 782 various CIW industry certifications, which is a 25 percent increase from the year prior. These certifications were earned at 15 middle and high schools in 18 different courses such as Computer Fundamentals, AP Computer Science Principles, Information and Communication Technology 1 and the Web Development program. In 2019/2020, this initiative will be evaluated by the number of successful industry certifications achieved by students and teachers.
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 6.10
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20200204_978 (Board Meeting) * Section B Item# 6.10