Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Information Item

DATE: Tuesday, April 20, 2010
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

The College Board Requests That Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Partner in Their Federal Investing in Innovation (I3) Grant Application (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The new federal Investing in Innovation (I3) grant program was developed to provide competitive grants that expand the implementation of, and investment in, innovative and evidence-based practices, programs and strategies that significantly improve K-12 achievement and close achievement gaps, decrease dropout rates, increase high school graduation rates, and improve teacher and school leader effectiveness. The College Board seeks to partner with three districts/consortia nationwide: HCPS, the Northeast Florida Education Consortium (NEFEC), and Northside Independent School District (San Antonio, TX). The goal of the project is to create an online assessment system that provides Advanced Placement (AP) teachers with formative and interim assessments created by the College Board to accurately gauge student learning over time. The proposal also includes online and face-to-face professional development and resources to support AP teachers in embedding formative assessment strategies into their everyday instruction. The first AP courses targeted by the project are Biology, U.S. History, and Calculus AP. These assessments will be available for the district to utilize as part of the Empowering Effective Teachers project (see attached).

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

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods, * Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum, * Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce, * Align the performance management system with the district’s priorities

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

Funding for this project will provided by the U.S. Department of Education. The College Board will be the grant’s fiscal agent.

EVALUATION

Under the terms of the grant, The College board will be responsible for project evaluation. A copy of the annual reports and final evaluation report will be provided to HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability.

SUBMITTED BY: : Lynn Fell, Grants and Research Operations Officer

Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent
Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879


A 9.01
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20100420_398 * Section A Item# 9.01