Hillsborough County Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education and, if Approved, Accept Funds for Adult Education and Family Literacy, English Literacy and Civics Education Program, 2009/2010 (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval to submit a grant application to the Florida Department of Education for English Literacy and Civics Education programs for supplemental, performance-based funding in the amount of $345,326 to enhance, improve, and expand the delivery system of educational services to adults 16 years of age and older.

The purpose of the funding is to assist adults who wish to learn to read, write, and speak English as a second language; who seek adult basic and adult literacy education; who desire to complete a secondary school education or its General Educational Development (GED) equivalent; who wish to benefit from job training and retraining programs; who wish to obtain and retain productive employment; and who wish to participate more fully in the educational development of their children. The targeted population to benefit from requested funding will include: educationally disadvantaged adults, under-educated adults, immigrant adults including migrant farmworkers, limited English proficient adults, adults and children participating in family literacy, adults in the workplace, minority adults, adults with disabilities, and/or homeless adults.

Supplemental funds will expand an integrated program of services that incorporates both English and civics education into the curriculum and supports and enhances the integration of reading and adult basic literacy skills into classroom instruction supporting the district's strategic goals and the statewide "Just Read, Florida!" initiative. Program participants will not only be provided with basic academic instruction, but will be able to understand and navigate governmental, educational, workplace systems, and key institutions such as banking and health care. Funding will also be used to enhance the adult education program by providing supportive services that include activities to increase students’ involvement in the community and their involvement in the education of dependent children.

Continued on attachment.

ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)

All Strategic Objectives

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

If approved, grant funds of $345,326 will be included in the divisional special revenue/federal programs budget. All direct and indirect costs are included in the grant budget.

EVALUATION

Evaluation measures required by the grant are determined by the Florida Department of Education. The annual state performance report will be completed in October 2010 and shared with all stakeholders.

SUBMITTED BY: Elsa A. Tuggle, Director, Adult and Community Education
 Karine E. Johns, Supervisor, Adult Instruction

Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.21
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20090519_351 * Section A Item# 5.21