B6.09 - Approve to Submit the Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and, if Approved, Accept Funds for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B, Entitlement and Preschool for 2020/2021 (Climate and Culture)

Approval of this grant application will ensure that all children with disabilities, ages 3 through 21, have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. These funds will be used to supplement costs directly attributable to programs that provide FAPE to children with disabilities.  Students with disabilities (SWD) will be provided full educational opportunities and access through instructional activities designed to increase the intensity and quality of services necessary for each individual student.  Federal entitlement grants for IDEA must be submitted annually.

A summary of this grant proposal is attached with the estimated cost.

The IDEA grant provides funds needed to meet the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. SWD require specially designed instruction, therapies, specialized instructional techniques, adapted materials, and equipment to access the general education standards and access points. Special education services are needed for students to progress toward graduation and to successfully transition to post-secondary life.

The Local Educational Agency (LEA) profile is a tool provided to the districts for use in planning for systemic improvement in exceptional education programs. The profile contains a series of data indicators that describe measures of educational benefit, educational environment, prevalence, and parent involvement, and also provides information about district performance as compared to state level targets in Florida’s State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report. The LEA Determination is a rating of compliance and performance indicators based upon the LEA profile data.  For the 2018/2019 school year, Hillsborough County’s calculated score fell in the meets requirements rating of the LEA Determination.  However, due to the mandated set aside for Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services, the district will remain in the needs assistance category.

These funds shall be used to supplement the excess costs of providing special education and related services to SWD who are eligible for an individual educational plan.  The grant provides and supports exceptional student education teachers, general education teachers, instructional support staff, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and therapists who work directly with SWD. It provides training, supplemental instructional materials, supplies, specialized equipment, technology, support personnel for classrooms with SWD, as well as support for parents.

* Improve the high school graduation rate

* Provide a student-centered learning environment that engages every child

* Engage and communicate with families and stakeholders

That the Board approve to submit the grant application to the FLDOE and, if approved, accept funds for IDEA, Part B, Entitlement and Preschool for 2020/2021.

Kimberly Workman, General Director, Exceptional Student Education, kimberly.workman@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 273-7025
Tracye H. Brown, Chief of Climate and Culture, tracye.brown@sdhc.k12.fl.us, (813) 272-4879

If approved, the estimated amount of grant funds that will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget are: $45,515,238 in IDEA, Part B, Entitlement, and $828,279 in IDEA, Part B, Preschool.