Approve Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education, and if Approved, Accept Funds for Critical Jobs Initiative – SUCCEED, Florida – High School Career Paths – New Academies, 2007/2008 - $225,000 (Career and Technical Education)

We are requesting approval to submit three proposals for the Critical Job Initiative – SUCCEED, Florida – Career Paths – New Academies grant: Chamberlain High School – Veterinary Assisting; Jefferson High School – Culinary Operations, and, Spoto High School – Fashion Design Services. Projects funded by this grant will establish secondary career and professional (CAP) academies that integrate academic and career curriculum through a career-based theme and are provided for public schools. The career academies will support the District's Choice Plan. The local school district must use funds to:

• Provide instruction in careers designated as high growth, high demand, and high pay.
• Establish partnerships with businesses and postsecondary institutions.
• Provide student advisement, parent participation, and coordination with middle school.
• Provide career education certification, pursuant to section 1003.431 Florida Statutes.
• Include an evaluation plan and reporting mechanism developed jointly with the Department of Education that includes a self-assessment tool and outcome measures.

Goal 1 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or high on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 2 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or high on FCAT mathematics will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 3 – Student performance on FCAT science will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 4 – The percentage of students achieving a score of 4.0 or higher on FCAT Writing will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

If approved, grant funds of $225,000 ($75,000 for each academy) will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. Administrative costs are included in the grant budget.

A performance evaluation, developed jointly with the Department of Education, will be completed at the end of the grant period to assess student outcomes.