Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Multi-Dimensional Education, Inc. (MDED) for the Evaluation of the Responsible Engaged Students Promoting Empathy, Caring, and Trust (RESPECT) Project (Information and Technology Division)

Project RESPECT seeks to implement a character education program at 40 elementary schools that is integrated into classroom instruction and carried out in conjunction with current education reform efforts. RESPECT will integrate a research-based character education program, Too Good for Violence, with elementary school reading curriculum based on the state and federal Reading First reform initiative. The program promotes eight core character traits: caring, cooperation, courage, fairness, honesty, respect, responsibility, and self-discipline. Students will learn and reinforce positive character traits as they participate in reading content instruction, thereby improving their academic achievement in reading and their pro-social skills at the same time.

The funding agency for this grant requires a rigorous evaluation that utilizes valid and reliable instruments to statistically measure the impact of participation in the program versus the comparison group. An Agreement for Technical Services has been developed with Multi-Dimensional Education, Inc. (MDED) to conduct this rigorous evaluation. The partners of MDED (Dr. Michael Corrigan and Dr. Douglas Grove) are internationally recognized for their expertise in education and assessment. Together they have evaluated a number of large, longitudinal U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) grants, as well as managed research efforts funded through the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The requirements of the evaluator include, but are not limited to, securing USDOE Required Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval of valid and reliable research instruments, collecting and analyzing formative and summative data on variables related to character education, attendance, discipline, and student achievement. The evaluator will provide each school with an annual report highlighting the status of the level and quality of character education taking place in each school. The evaluator will also complete all evaluation reports required by the USDOE and will present final findings to the Department of Assessment and Accountability.

The schools involved in the RESPECT project include the following elementary schools: Alexander, Bing, Bryan, Burney, Cahoon, Chiaramonte, Clair-Mel, Davis, DeSoto, Dover, Edison, Egypt Lake, Forest Hills, Graham, Jackson, James, Kenly, Kimbell, Lanier, Lockhart, Mango, Mendenhall, Miles, MOSI Partnership, Oak Grove, Oak Park, Palm River, Potter, Reddick, Riverhills, Tampa Bay Boulevard, Thonotosassa, Trapnell, Twin Lakes, USF/Patel, B.T. Washington, West Shore, West Tampa, Wilson, Witter.

* Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

The total grant budget is for approximately $200,000. The amount allotted for the Year 2 Evaluation is $12,732.75.

The evaluator will provide each school with a report highlighting the status of character education taking place at each school. The evaluator will also complete all evaluation reports required by the USDOE and provide the district with a final evaluation report.