Approve Renewal Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education, and if Approved, Accept Funds for ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY - CORRECTIONS Project, 2007/2008 - $100,000 (Adult and Community Education)

The Florida Department of Education, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education, has issued a request for proposals for supplemental funding from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, for Adult Education and Family Literacy Corrections Programs.

Approval is requested to submit a grant proposal for supplemental, performance-based funding in the amount of $100,000 to enhance, improve, and expand the delivery system of educational services to incarcerated adults. The purpose of funding is to assist incarcerated adults in becoming literate and obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency. Participating adult students will receive instructional services to improve basic literacy skills, obtain job training skills, improve English language, reading, writing, and speaking skills, and obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). The primary focus of the project service is to provide opportunities for participants to re-enter the mainstream community and become employable, productive citizens. The targeted population consists of incarcerated adults in a correctional institution or other such institutions who are likely to leave the institution within 5 years, are 16 years of age or older, beyond compulsory school age, do not have a secondary school diploma, and are not enrolled in a secondary school.

Supplemental funds will be used to enhance learning opportunities through the employment of a full-time Vocational Placement Advisor, a part-time placement and follow-up advisor and the purchase of instructional software, computer equipment, curriculum materials, and educational supplies.

For the past four years, the Department of Adult and Community Education has successfully implemented the Adult Education and Family Literacy Corrections Project, increasing performance outcomes for the district and exceeding project goals each year. During the 2005/2006 school year, performance measures reported for the Corrections Project included 479 Literacy Completion Points, 66 adult students placed into career/technical training and employment, and 52 adult students who earned a State of Florida High School Diploma (GED). For the current project period (2006/2007), the Department of Adult and Community Education has successfully met performance outcomes to date and anticipates exceeding project goals for the year.

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

If approved, grant funds of $100,000 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. All direct and indirect costs are included in the grant budget.

10/31/08. Evaluation measures required by the grant are determined by the Florida Department of Education. The annual state performance report will be completed in October 2008 and shared with all stakeholders.