Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Renewal Contract with NCS Pearson, Inc. (formerly Harcourt Assessment, Inc.) for Proofreading and Transcription Services for Program for Visually Impaired Students - $28,000 (Exceptional Student Education)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the renewal contract with NCS Pearson, Inc. (formerly Harcourt Assessment, Inc.) for the district to provide proofreading and transcription services for Braille versions of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Tests in a contractor/subcontractor relationship for the period April 15, 2008, through June 30, 2008. Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired (FIMC-VI) will receive $28,000 for providing the following services: Funding for this initiative was awarded to NCS Pearson, Inc. by the Florida Department of Education. This is the second year that the district has provided these services to NCS Pearson, Inc.

For the past 35 years Hillsborough has served as the fiscal agent for the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired through a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Education. Currently, FIMC-VI provides instructional materials to 3,083 students in Florida’s public and private schools.

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.
Goal 2 – The percentage of students scoring at Level 3 or higher on FCAT mathematics will increase a minimum of five percentage points.

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

NCS Pearson, Inc. will pay the district $28,000 for services provided and the funds will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. There is no additional cost to the district.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY: Wynne A. Tye, General Director, Exceptional Student Education
 Suzanne A. Dalton, Supervisor, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired

Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.18
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20080415_291 * Section A Item# 5.18