Approve Agreements with Calvert Services and Florida Virtual School (FLVS) for the 2010/2011 School Year (Instructional Programs)

We request approval of an agreement between Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and Calvert Services to provide a district-operated virtual instruction program for grades K-5. Currently HCPS contracts with K12 Florida, LLC and Florida Virtual School for a turnkey full-time elementary program. This turnkey option functions entirely through each vendor/provider utilizing their teachers, support, and curriculum. The proposed agreement with Calvert Services will provide a district-operated option. The expansion into offering an additional program will further support the school choice initiatives within Hillsborough County Public Schools. Calvert Services will partner with HCPS providing curriculum, online content, materials, support services, and training. The content and curriculum will be delivered via current full-time HCPS instructors of Hillsborough Virtual School. Any student registrations, curriculum materials, support, and/or instructor materials required prior to Board approval were delivered at no charge to the district as part of a Calvert Services pilot project.

We also request approval of an agreement between HCPS and Florida Virtual School to provide an online choice for serving Hospital Homebound students in grades 6-12. Students assigned to online courses either through FLVS or Hillsborough Virtual School must complete the course in its entirety to receive a final grade. This proposed agreement will allow Hospital Homebound students in grades 6-12 the opportunity to continue their education through collaboration between the classroom teacher of record and the FLVS instructor to ensure continuity of learning during the child's physical absence from the school.

All Strategic Objectives

Expenses are paid from the FTE generated by student completion.

For purposes of Calvert Services, evaluation of the program will be based on the percent of students successfully promoted to the next grade.

For the Hospital Homebound students with FLVS, evaluation will be based on the percent of students who successfully transition into a regular classroom environment.