Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, April 10, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Technical Service Agreement for Stephen Barkley, Consultant for Performance Learning Systems, to Provide Professional Development Training and Support for Memorial Middle School (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Attaining high student achievement for all learners requires a team approach. This project is designed to create teacher teams focused on individual students. Stephen Barkley will work with the staff at Memorial Middle School 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 team. Stephen 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. Performance Learning Systems’ learning style profile, Kaleidoscope, will be used with staff, students, and parents at Memorial Middle School. Staff will identify how their styles influence their work as team members. Identifying the learning styles of middle school students will assist teachers in creating learning options for struggling students. Stephen Barkley will also be providing workshops for staff. Stephen Barkley, author of Quality Teaching in a Culture of Coaching, and long-term consultant with Hillsborough County Public Schools, is uniquely prepared to be Memorial’s coach. Working closely with school 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 Memorial Middle School Title I Staff Development funds ($6,000).

EVALUATION

During the post planning period, teachers, students and administrators at Memorial Middle School along with the participating students and parents, will complete an effectiveness survey to determine the proficiency of the professional development and consultation provided by Mr. Barkley. The teachers and students will also assess the change, if any, in school culture and climate.

SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Eakins, Director of Federal Programs

Gwendolyn L. Luney
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Federal Programs Division
813-272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
813-272-4270
5.07
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20070410_238 * Section E Item# 5.07