Teaching and Learning Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, August 23, 2016
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of i-Ready Licenses, Ready Instructional Print Materials, and Professional Development Services from Curriculum Associates, LLC (Sole-Source Provider) for Supplemental Math Curriculum (Office of Teaching and Learning)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As a result of the implementation of the new Mathematics Florida Standards (MAFS) and Florida Standards Assessment (FSA), the Elementary Math Department has identified a need for a supplemental resource to assist teachers in identifying students’ specific areas of strengths and needs, grouping students by their needs, and providing targeted instruction. The i-Ready mathematics program provides individualized adaptive online diagnostic assessments and creates individualized instructional plans utilizing printable in-class lessons. Sixty-two elementary schools will utilize i-Ready materials throughout the 2016/2017 school year. Interested schools were required to submit an application that included a school-level implementation plan. All students in grades K-5 at each of the 62 sites will receive the i-Ready Diagnostic site license and Ready printable materials. Teachers at participating sites will have access to standards mastery interactive items providing additional data to guide instruction and students a valuable experience in answering technologically-enhanced items. Professional Development includes a sequence of coursework beginning with initial start-up training and transitioning to using diagnostic data to differentiate instruction.  All schools receive support through data chats as they analyze the diagnostic reports three times a year.  Specific onsite coaching and training is available on an as-needed basis throughout the year. Curriculum Associates, LLC is a sole-source provider and owns the copyrights to all i-Ready licenses, training materials, and professional development.  This purchase is exempt from the requesting of competitive solicitations by the Florida Department of Education 6A.-1.012 Purchasing Policies (11) (b).
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Improve the high school graduation rate
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $440,547.50 will be available in the Curriculum Enhanced Initiatives project through the Supplemental Academic Instruction budget.  For tracking purposes, the project number is 4628.  As of August 1, 2016, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $1,543,000.00.
EVALUATION
The district's Office of Assessment and Accountability determined that students in grades 1-3 receiving i-Ready instruction for the minimum recommended amount of time had higher scores on their respective end of year math assessments, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)-10, and FSA.  The increase ranged from 8 to 20 points depending upon grade level.  Multiple sources will be used to evaluate the effectiveness: FSA will be used to measure differences in achievement levels between similarly matched students with i-Ready and students without; the adaptive diagnostic assessment taken three times a year by students utilizing i-Ready will be analyzed to determine the percentage of a year's growth in mathematics.  Additionally, we will verify the predictability level of the program by comparing the i-Ready diagnostic report with FSA results in grades 3-5.
SUBMITTED BY:  Elizabeth Agresta, Chief Academic Officer, Office of Teaching and Learning Barbara B. Hancock, Instructional Leadership Director, Elementary

Gretchen Saunders		Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270		Chief of Staff (813) 272-4986
		C 6.16
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20160823_765 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.16