Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Agreement for Technical Services with Chris Lewis for Middle School Writing - $15,400 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the Agreement for Technical Services with Chris Lewis to plan and deliver writing lessons for teachers and students at Bartels, Burnett, Buchanan, Davidsen, Dowdell, Farnell, Ferrell, Franklin, Greco, Hill, Jennings, Madison, Martinez, McLane, Monroe, Orange Grove, Pierce, Rodgers, Roland Park, Shields, Sligh, Tomlin, Turkey Creek, Van Buren, and Webb Middle Schools beginning December 1, 2007, through February 28, 2008.

Middle school students need additional support in writing. For the past seven years, Hillsborough County eighth grade student writing scores have ranked either first or among the top in the state. Chris Lewis, a former language arts teacher, is a specialist within the writing arena who has provided his services to Hillsborough County since 2004. Through his extensive work with FCAT+ Writing, Chris has developed effective instructional practices which help raise FCAT+ Writing scores across all levels of student learners. His true commitment and specialization are helping our lower-level students become successful communicators and our high achieving students to further excel.

Instruction in higher level elaboration will be provided to teachers and students. The consultant will implement the + part of writing for teachers and students, with a goal of a 5% increase in both the number of students scoring a 4.0 or above and in the developmental scale score on the state writing test. After the state test in early February, the consultant will focus on 7th grade students at Sligh, Van Buren, and Franklin Middle Schools until the end of February. Mr. Lewis’ responsibilities include the following:

Strategies are based on the sunshine standards, district benchmarks, and middle school grade expectations.

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

Goal 4 - The percentage of students achieving a score of 4.0 or higher on FCAT Writing will increase a minimum of five percentage points.
Goal 5 - The District will eliminate the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $15,400 ($50/hour) are available through the Middle School Education Staff Development budget, Project 4502.

EVALUATION

The evaluation will be done at the conclusion of the 2008 school year when FCAT scores arrive to determine if the training/lessons provided had a positive impact on student writing achievement.

SUBMITTED BY: Josie Sanders, General Director, Middle School Education
Max Hutto, Supervisor, Middle School Language Arts

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.06
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071120_270 * Section A Item# 5.06