Academic Support and Federal Programs Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, October 17, 2017
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Committee for Children (Academic Support And Federal Programs Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Upon approval, this agreement will continue the partnership between The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida (HCPS) and the Second Step program, Committee for Children. Second Step is a social-emotional learning skills curriculum for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. This curriculum will be utilized in the following Project Prevent schools: Cahoon, Clair Mel, Folsom, Ippolito, Robles, Shaw, Sulphur Springs, Thonotosassa, and Booker T. Washington Elementary Schools, and Adams, Dowdell, Greco, Jennings, Madison, McLane, Memorial, Sligh, and Van Buren Middle Schools. The Second Step program is designated as a model program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and is listed on the National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices.  The program includes easy-to-teach classroom lessons that enhance students' social-emotional competence through skill-building activities. As a component of Project Prevent, these lessons will be adapted to provide differentiated levels of support for students, including small group lessons and one-on-one instruction.   The Committee for Children is dedicated to producing evidence and research-based programs that help children thrive.  Rigorous, ongoing research is a key component of curriculum development.  Training will be offered for pertinent staff to provide program orientation guidance in developing strategies for students. Technical assistance will be provided to support implementation efforts and to ensure successful expansion of program services.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
All Strategic Objectives
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds in the amount of $93,933 will be available in the Project Prevent Grant Special Revenue Budget.  For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda item is 3310.  As of September 25, 2017, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $71,990.  This funding for this expenditure represents approximately 12 percent of the $750,000 budget allocation for year four of this five-year initiative.
EVALUATION
Under the terms of the grant, an external evaluator, contracted by HCPS, will evaluate the project and provide annual reports to the project directors, HCPS, the Office of Assessment and Accountability, and the United States Department Of Education.   After publication, programs will be evaluated through randomized controlled trials by research scientists employed by the Committee for Children to ensure the programs produce their intended effects.
SUBMITTED BY:  Kristine Hensley, Supervisor, Student Services Holly Saia, Ed.S., Director, Student Services Tracye H. Brown, Assistant Superintendent, Academic Support and Federal Programs

Gretchen Saunders		Dr. Alberto Vázquez
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270		Chief of Staff (813) 272-4986
		C 6.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20171017_822 (Board Meeting) * Section C Item# 6.05