Hillsborough County Public Schools Information and Technology
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, August 5, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Agreements for Technical Services for District Based Mentors through the Preparing New Educators Program (Information and Technology Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The District is committed to providing support systems for new teachers. Having this support system improves the effectiveness of new teachers. The District Based Mentor program is part of the teacher induction offered to new teachers at selected Focus and Title I Schools. The schools selected have a high number of new teachers, but do not have enough veteran educators to serve as Peer Assistants.

The District Based Mentors are teachers that are retired or on-leave who have previously served as mentors in our district. The mentors will work at schools with high attrition rates. Each mentor will provide eight hours per week of face-to-face mentoring and maintain a log of their activities. Mentors will observe and provide feedback on classroom teaching, and model best practices. In addition, mentors will attend meetings on best practices in mentoring and expectations, as well as the Florida Educators 12 Accomplished Practices.

Agreements for Technical Services have been prepared for the attached list of District Based Mentors. These mentor activities will be conducted from August 18 through November 21, 2008. In order to effectively provide mentoring services to the high needs schools, permission is requested to add and delete mentors as needed, not to exceed the budgeted amount of $90,000.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

Student Achievement: Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods; Human Resources: Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Title II funds have been budgeted in the amount of $90,000 for these services.

EVALUATION

District Based Mentors complete an evaluation at the end of the school year. Principals are surveyed to determine impact of the program. New teachers who receive the support are surveyed at the beginning of the school year and mid-year, providing feedback to the Staff Development office concerning the level of support they received and the impact on their teaching. The Staff Development office monitors the retention rate of the teachers who receive support from the District Based Mentors. In addition, Staff Development is continuing to work with the Assessment and Accountability office to determine a method for measuring the impact of this program on student achievement.

SUBMITTED BY: Charles Fleming, Director, Staff Development

Jack E. Davis
Chief Information and Technology Officer
(813) 272-4600
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.04
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080805_297 * Section A Item# 5.04