Hillsborough County Public Schools Business
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve Renewal Agreement for Technical Services with Keyboard Consultants for 2010 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Item Review and Proofreading Activities, Visually Impaired Grant - (Curriculum and Instruction Division, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired – FIMC-VI)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We request approval of the renewal agreement with Keyboard Consultants to review each individual test item in the Braille version of the 2010 FCAT and the FCAT Sample Tests from the perspective of a blind reader. The consultant will preview test items to determine if they are reasonable and appropriate for blind and visually impaired students. The review will include the FCAT and FCAT Sample Tests for reading and mathematics for grades 3-10, including retakes; science for grades 5, 8, and 11; and FCAT Writing for grades 4, 8, and 10.

The consultant will also proofread each individual Braille cell in the FCAT Released Tests for grade 8 science and grade 10 reading and mathematics. Proofreading ensures that the six-dot cells are formed properly and Braille Authority of North America’s format rules have been followed. Specialized requirements developed by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Office of Assessment and School Performance in the document titled, “Connecting the Dots” must also be integrated.

In collaboration with FIMC-VI, Keyboard Consultants has successfully performed these item review and proofreading functions to the satisfaction of FDOE for the past nine years.

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

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)

Funds of $36,724 are included in the divisional special revenue/federal program budget, Project 1440, FIMC-VI. All expenditures for this activity are reimbursed by FDOE.

EVALUATION

SUBMITTED BY: Joyce L. Wieland, General Director, Department of Exceptional Student Education
 Suzanne A. Dalton, Supervisor, Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired

Wynne A. Tye
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.07
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20091117_366 * Section A Item# 5.07