Information and Technology Action Item |
DATE: Tuesday, March 4, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 1998, the Florida Department of Education approved the implementation of Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Alternative Certification Program (ACP) to allow teachers who did not major in education to complete their certification requirements. The benefits of the program include training provided by classroom teachers, topics related to effective teaching practice, and a strong coaching/mentoring component. Since its implementation, over 1500 teachers have completed their certification requirements through Hillsborough’s ACP.
ACP is a self-sustaining program that utilizes participant fees to provide services including the required coursework, ACP Coach contracts and other office requirements. Upon the initial implementation of ACP, the participant fee was $600.00. In 2004, the fee was increased to $800.00 to help cover the increased cost of materials. At that time, the District also received a Federal Transition to Teaching Grant. This grant has supplemented the ACP fees for Title I participants over the past four years. Grant funds for ACP will not be available in 2008-2009.
Since the last fee increase, the program has added two additional classes to fulfill state requirements. The cost of each of these courses is approximately $200.00 per participant.
We request authorization for a fee increase from $800.00 to $1,200.00 for the 2008-2009 school year. This increase will allow us to continue to offer ACP as a self-sustaining program.
ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)
EVALUATION
SUBMITTED BY: Chuck Fleming, Director, Staff Development
Jack E. Davis
Chief Information and Technology Officer (813) 272-4600 |
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270 |
A 5.10 | |
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080304_289 * Section A Item# 5.10 |