Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, March 14, 2006
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Technical Service Agreement for Steve Barkley, Consultant for Performance Learning Systems, who will provide professional development training and support for Twin Lakes Elementary (Student Services and Federal Programs)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Attaining high student achievement for all learners requires a real team approach. This project is designed to create teacher teams focused on individual students. Steve Barkley will work with the staff at Twin Lakes to develop teaming and problem-solving skills that will bring every possible resource to each individual learner. This teaming approach will require changes in how school administrators work with teachers as a staff and as teams. Steve Barkley will serve as a trainer, facilitator and consultant to the administrative team both on site during training days and by phone and email throughout the contracted time. Twin Lakes' staff has previously completed coaching training with Steve Barkley. Performance Learning Systems' use of the Kaleidoscope will assist staff, students, and parents at Twin Lakes. Staff will identify how their teaching styles influence their work as team members. Identifying the learning styles of third, fourth, and fifth grade students will assist teachers in creating learning options for struggling students. Parents will identify their own teaching and learning styles and discover ways to assist their children. Steve Barkley will be providing workshops for staff, students, and parents to maximize the learning style knowledge. Steve Barkley, author of Quality Teaching in a Culture of Coaching, and long-term consultant with Hillsborough County Public Schools, is uniquely prepared to be Twin Lakes' coach. Working closely with building administrators, many strategies and activities to support this program will be developed as the project proceeds.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

Goal 5- The district will eliminate the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

This Technical Service Agreement will be paid out of Twin Lakes’ Title I Staff Development dollars ($25,000).

EVALUATION

By May 19, 2006, the staff of Twin Lakes Elementary, along with the participating students and parents, will complete an effectiveness survey to determine if the professional development and consultation provided by Mr. Barkley had a positive impact on student learning and the school culture.

SUBMITTED BY: Jeffrey Eakins, Principal on Special Assignment for Federal Programs

Gwendolyn L. Luney
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
5.11
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20060314_172 * Section E Item# 5.11