Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Grant Application to Florida Department of Education, and if Approved, Accept Funds for Development of 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Materials for Visually Impaired Students - $145,000 (Exceptional Student Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval to submit a grant application to the Florida Department of Education for the District Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI) to provide expert reviews of each individual test item on the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 FCAT to ensure the items are appropriate for visually impaired students. In addition, FIMC-VI will transcribe/verify students’ braille answers from the Comprehensive English Language Learners Assessment (CELLA) onto scannable answer documents and direct the preparation/development, production, and distribution of the FCAT Released Tests in contracted braille format.

FIMC-VI will review the items from each subtest of the FCAT Sunshine State Standards (SSS) for Grade 10 Reading and Mathematics Retake Tests; all Form One test items for the 2009 and 2010 Spring FCAT administration which will include the FCAT SSS Reading and Mathematics items for Grades 3-10; Science items for Grades 5, 8, and 11; Writing+ items for Grades 4, 8, and 10; and all items which are incorporated into FCAT interpretive materials (such as FCAT Sample Tests).

The budget will be utilized for Agreements for Technical Services and production/distribution of the FCAT Released Tests.

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

All District Goals and Critical Success Factors

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

If approved, grant funds of $145,000 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal program budget. The Project is financed by State General Revenue funds ($145,000) provided by the Florida Department of Education/Office of Assessment and School Performance as authorized by Sections 1008.22 and 1003.56, Florida Statutes.

EVALUATION

Performance evaluation measures are determined by the Florida Department of Education. The completed annual state performance report will be completed in December 2009 and December 2010. The results of the evaluations will be shared with all stakeholders.

SUBMITTED BY: Suzanne A. Dalton, Supervisor, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired

Wynne A. Tye
General Director, Exceptional Student Education
(813) 273-7025
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
A 1.02a
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071211_271 * Section A Item# 1.02a