Approve Renewal Agreement of Understanding with Publix Stores, Inc., a Community Based Training (CBT) Site, for Exceptional Education Students for the 2008/2009 (Exceptional Student Education)

We request approval of the renewal of a Community Based Training Program site to provide valuable training experiences for exceptional education students with mild and moderate disabilities. As with other approved CBT sites, Publix has been a valuable partner to our program. By providing training in entry-level positions, these students are better prepared to successfully enter the workforce. During the 2008/2009 school year, 20 schools will participate by providing training opportunities for approximately 235 exceptional education students.

CBT Business Partnership Evaluations were completed by 23 out of the 30 participating sites. The participating businesses rated students on their performance based on the following criteria:

Students’ appropriateness for training sites

Students’ ability to perform assigned tasks

Students’ dress and hygiene

Overall program effectiveness

During the 2007-2008 school year, the ratings from the businesses overall produced positive outcomes in each of the following areas:

62% of the students were rated above average in the five areas previously listed.

34% of the students were rated satisfactory in the five areas.

4% of the students were rated as needing improvement.

Goal 5 - The district will close the FCAT achievement gap by a minimum of 10 percentage points as reported by No Child Left Behind
Critical Success Factor 5.c – Design and implement program scheduling to meet the remediation and enrichment needs of students.

The Agreements of Understanding are non-financial. The estimated cost for transporting students to and from the business sites is approximately $350,000 and is included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)-Project 1531.

Evaluations will be concluded on 05/30/09.