Hillsborough County Public Schools Student Services and Federal Programs
Action Item

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

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve $18,109 Payment to University of South Florida for Services Associated with Their Partnership in Hillsborough County Public Schools Learn and Serve Special Initiatives Grant, Project #290-2328A-8C002 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The state of Florida awarded $48,669 to Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) for the District’s Learn and Serve Special Initiatives grant project. Of this total amount, $18,109 is for project services rendered by the University of South Florida (USF). A university partnership is a requirement of this grant. The purpose of the project is to improve student reading achievement and provide dropout prevention for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students through the vehicle of service learning. The two phase project involves collaboration between USF service learning experts and HCPS expert teachers to 1) provide service learning training to targeted teachers and 2) deliver follow-up support to participating teachers throughout the school year. USF is providing the services of experts in service learning to deliver the staff development component of the project and perform the project evaluation. The project began September 1, 2007, and ends August 31, 2008.

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

Goal 1 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

Funding for this project is provided by Florida’s Learn and Serve Special Initiatives Grant award (#290-2328A-8C002). HCPS is the grant’s fiscal agent and project funds reside with the District.

EVALUATION

Under the terms of the grant, USF evaluates the HCPS project. Copies of the final evaluation report will be provided to the district office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the final evaluation is December 1, 2008.

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

Gwendolyn L. Luney
Assistant Superintendent, Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.12
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071106_269 * Section A Item# 5.12