Approve Agreement for Technical Services for Dr. Tina Bacon to Conduct an Evaluation of the Smaller Learning Community (SLC) Grant (Information and Technology Division)

The purpose of the Smaller Learning Community (SLC) initiative is to develop schools-within-a-school in an effort to reduce some of the negative impact large school settings have on their clients. Smaller groupings of students through freshman teams and broad career theme-based learning communities for students in Grades 10-12 are intended to improve students' and parents' feelings of belonging and school attachment; build stronger rapport and adult mentoring between teachers and students; and develop greater accountability and support for student behaviors, success and academic performance. Dr. Tina Bacon will evaluate the success of the program to date by collecting quantitative and qualitative information; collecting and analyzing data, gathering and entering data for online data collection process; provide ongoing feedback to supervisors and program leaders, attending SLC meetings, gauging impact of the projects initiatives on student achievement and classroom strategies. Schools involved are Chamberlain, East Bay, Leto, and Wharton High Schools. Approximately 1,000 students per school will participate.

Goal 5: The District will eliminate the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 points as reported by the No Child Left Behind. CSF 5.c: Design and implement program scheduling to meet the remediation and enrichment needs of students.

The grant is approximately $200,000. The amount allotted for this phase of the evaluation is $15,000.

Final report to be submitted to the Department of Assessment and Accountability and the Florida Department of Education by December 31, 2007.