Approve Agreement of Understanding with Community Based Training (CBT) Sites for Students with Disabilities for the 2008/2009 School Year (Exceptional Student Education)

We request approval of the following additional CBT sites: Palm Garden of Tampa and Kohl's Brandon to provide valuable training experiences for students with mild and moderate disabilities. By providing training in entry-level positions at a variety of businesses in the community, these students are better prepared to successfully enter the workforce. During the 2008/2009 school year, 20 schools will participate to provide training opportunities for approximately 235 students with disabilities.

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

Students’ appropriateness for training site

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 four areas previously listed.

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

4 % of the students were rated as needing improvement.

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).

Evaluations will be conducted on May 30, 2009.