Approve Contract with the Tampa Convention Center to Host the 2008 Middle School Battle of the Books, April 30, 2008 - $6,940 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We request approval of the contract with the Tampa Convention Center to host the District Middle School Battle of the Books Competition on April 30, 2008.

The first Middle School Battle of the Books was held in April of 2005 with students from 12 schools participating. The event has been very successful and participation in the program has increased each year requiring a venue such as the Tampa Convention Center. This year students from all middle schools are reading the books and 42 middle schools have signed-up to participate in the District Battle.

Students in Grades 6-8 read the 15 middle school battle books and then take a test on the information in each book. The 6 students at each school that score the highest on the test are selected to be on the school's battle team and to represent their school at the District Battle of the Books.

The District Battle is an exciting event for the students, teachers and parents. Each team competes in 4 rounds of battle by answering questions about each of the battle books. The teams score 1 point for each correct answer and the points are totaled for the 4 battle rounds. The two teams with the highest cumulative scores go on to compete in the Final Battle for the District Battle Cup.

Last year, students at 40 middle schools read the battle books, and 240 students from 39 middle schools participated in the District Battle.

Goal 1 - The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT reading will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 1.e Involve families in supporting literacy at home.
Goal 1.e.1 Design, support, and promote school events and activities that emphasize family literacy.

The following vendors are donating $4,940 to cover part of the cost of renting the Tampa Convention Center: Barnes and Noble Book Sellers, Pepsi, and Tandem Books. The remaining $2,000 will be paid from Part 1 of the budget, departmental funds for Library Media Services 6-12.

Records will be kept on the number of students and schools participating in the Middle School Battle of the Books and will be reported to the Board as part of next year's contract approval request.