Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, November 6, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Addition of District-Proposed High School Major Areas of Interest, 2007/2008 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the addition of district-proposed high school Major Areas of Interest (MAI) for 2007/2008 and the authority to offer any majors approved by the state Department of Education.

The additional ESE majors proposed include:

  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Health Promotion for Fitness
  • Media/Library Assistant
The additional Business Technology Education (BTE) majors proposed include:
  • Multimedia Design Technology
  • Customer Assistance Technology
A component of the 2006 A++ legislation (House Bill 7087) addresses the need for middle school students to participate in career development activities, create an educational planner, and select a high school major. Through these initiatives, students are more likely to see the relevance of their educational experiences to a future career and to develop a focus in high school for their postsecondary education and/or career goals.

The state of Florida Secondary Education majors include a menu of options from which students select a major area of interest for their high school experience. Each MAI coincides with a series of courses. The initial State High School Major Areas of Interest - 2007/2008 list was approved by the School Board on November 21, 2006, Agenda Item E 1.02. The MAI offerings can be viewed at http://facts23.facts.org/searchMajors/setup.do. Once on the site, select Hillsborough County, All High Schools, No Career Cluster, and All Major Areas of Interest. This will provide an interactive list which enables you to view our schools, the Major Areas of Interest, and the courses required.

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

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Administrative staff time to develop and market new MAI options or courses currently offered.

EVALUATION

Annual review by February 1 each year of major offerings to ensure course availability at appropriate school sites, accuracy of listings, and compliance with current state requirements.

SUBMITTED BY: Josie Sanders, General Director, Middle School Education
David J. Steele, Ph.D., General Director, Secondary Education 
Wynne Tye, General Director, Exceptional Student Education 
Pamela Campbell-Peralta, General Director, Career and Technical Education
Pat Smith, Director, Guidance Services



Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
A 1.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071106_269 * Section A Item# 1.05