Authorization to Proceed with the Submission of Title II, Part A: Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund 2008-2009 Local Education Agency (LEA) Application, Based on Final Approval from the State.

The Title II, Part A entitlement grant will provide funds for the purpose of recruiting and training staff in a number of areas:

• Content training for teachers in the core academic areas (with a particular emphasis on reading)
• Intensive training for teachers and principals in school improvement strategies
• Teacher training in areas such as instructional strategies and classroom management
• Activities and strategies that support the recruitment of highly qualified teachers
• Mentoring and support services for new teachers and teachers having difficulty
• Assessment and evaluation strategies for analysis of student data in order to support the Continuous Improvement Model and to improve student achievement
• Utilizing salary differentials to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers in high poverty schools

In addition, the funds will be used to focus on eliminating the achievement gap through professional development activities for teachers and principals.

All four goal areas of Student Achievement, Human Resources, Financial Management, and Safety.

This grant will provide approximately $8,592,000.00 for the 2008-2009 school year.

By June 30, 2009, a comprehensive evaluation of the 2008-2009 Title II, Part A Project will be completed. The evaluation will determine the impact that Title II funds had on increasing student achievement and increasing the number of Highly Qualified Teachers in Hillsborough County. The information will be used to prioritize and direct Title II dollars toward programs and trainings that are closing the achievement gap and improving teacher performance.