Hillsborough County Public Schools Business
Action Item

DATE: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent

SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS

Approve the Cost Reimbursable Subagreement Between Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and the University of South Florida (USF) as Part of the Grant Entitled “Interdistrict Agreements for Expanding School Choice Through Voluntary Public School Choice Models” (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), via a federal Voluntary Public School Choice grant, awarded HCPS $170,000 to implement an interdistrict school choice project in partnership with Polk County Public Schools (PCPS). Project Building Relationships and Interdistrict Development to Guide Education (BRIDGE) will replicate HCPS successful rigorous academic choice programs in schools in both counties. HCPS will serve as the mentor district while introducing the new attractor program to schools in both districts. BRIDGE provides support for the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, teacher training, and week-long residential academic enrichment summer camps at the University of Tampa for rising 8th graders, and the University of South Florida for rising 10th and 11th graders. Schools included in the grant are Marshall Middle School and Plant City High School from HCPS, and Kathleen Middle School and Kathleen High School from PCPS. The Project Director is the district’s Director of Student Planning and Placement. Of the total funds, $10,000 is allocated to USF to perform the required project evaluation. The evaluator will provide a copy of the quarterly reports and the annual evaluation report to the Project Director and HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability.

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

* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods, * Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: No)

Funding for Project BRIDGE is provided by the FLDOE, through a grant from the United States Department of Education. HCPS is the fiscal agent for the project and funds reside with the district.

EVALUATION

Under the terms of the grant, HCPS is responsible for the project evaluation. HCPS will coordinate the collection of assessment data for the outside evaluator of the grant. The outside evaluator will provide a copy of the quarterly reports and the annual evaluation report to HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the project evaluation is December 30, 2010.

SUBMITTED BY: Lynn Fell, Grants and Research Operations Officer

Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent
Student Services and Federal Programs
(813) 272-4879
Gretchen Saunders
Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
A 5.16
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20100112_390 * Section A Item# 5.16