Approve Subscription Form with Encyclopedia Britannica to Provide Access to Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition, 2007/2010 - $183,150 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We are requesting approval of the Subscription Form with Encyclopedia Britannica to provide access to Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition databases to all district schools and remote access for all K-12 students and staff. This three year contract begins August 1, 2007, through July 31, 2010, and is renewable annually.

This comprehensive K-12 reference and learning resource provides teachers and students with instant access to four complete encyclopedias that ensure consistency with classroom topics and age-appropriate language. In addition to being inclusive of Britannica, Comptons Electronic Resource is a part of this package. Also included is the Britannica Learning Zone which features an interactive atlas, online art activities, games and learning materials, audio and video, and vocabulary builders. It is heavily tied in with our Florida Sunshine State Standards and offers curriculum guides. This electronic resource will be able to be accessed by students and district staff at school or at home through our local SDHC web page at any time and is available in English and Spanish.

Online training will be provided to key staff members during the first week of the agreement to enable them to immediately share the resources with the schools. Additionally, six days of in-person professional development services and up to ten live Internet webcasts will also be provided to the schools.

Goal 1 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

Funds of $183,150 ($61,050 per year, for three years) are included in the categorical state library media funds, Project 4505.

Monthly usage statistics for each school will be provided to the district by the vendor. A survey will be developed and administered to the staff and students to evaluate the effectiveness of the product.