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 Agreements for Technical Services for Test Administrators for Elementary Reading First Schools and Non-Reading First Priority Schools, 2007/2008 - $100,000 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the attached list of test administrators who will administer the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test III (PPVT-III) to the Elementary Reading First Schools and Non-Reading First Priority Schools.

The District is committed to providing support to our forty-one (41) elementary Reading First Schools to enhance the impact of our Reading First Grant. These schools are required by the Department of Education to administer individual tests to each student in Grades K-5 for screening and progress monitoring for reading development and instruction needs. In addition, twenty-seven (27) Non-Reading First Schools have been identified for assistance based on student reading scores. The tests include the DIBELS, which includes five sub-tests administered throughout the school year, and the PPVT-III administered at the end of the year.

The use of test administrators will ensure that important student data is captured with minimal disruption to classroom instruction. The data will be analyzed by teachers and reading coaches to guide instructional grouping, assist in differentiating instruction to meet individual student needs, and identify students in need of intervention support.

In order to effectively administer the testing, permission is requested to add and delete test administrators as needed not to exceed the budget of $100,000.

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: Yes)

Funds of $100,000 are included in the K-12 Comprehensive Reading Plan, Project 4526.

EVALUATION

The test administrators are monitored by the Supervisor, Reading First, and the on-site reading coach. In addition, the Department of Education (DOE) conducts reliability checks to evaluate effective test administration.

SUBMITTED BY: Barbara B. Hancock, General Director, Elementary Education 
Cheryl Jones, Supervisor, Reading First 
Glenda Brown, Supervisor, Reading/Language Arts

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.08
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071106_269 * Section A Item# 5.08