HCPS FL Logo Information and Technology
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, December 7, 2010
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with Heather Scott for the External Evaluation of the Youth Opportunities Grant - Executive Internship Program (Information and Technology Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Executive Internship Program's development stems from the need for quality job-shadowing/internship experiences for students in order to support them in identifying future career pathways, and more importantly, assist students in developing soft skills required to successfully enter the workforce. In response to local, state, and nation-wide industry surveys on career readiness, these internships will provide students with first-hand business experiences to enhance their pre-employability skill-set, broaden the scope of their career options, and reinforce the importance of post-secondary education and the multiple pathways available to ensure post-secondary success.

 The overall evaluation is composed of both formative and summative components and include collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Data collection methods vary and include survey, observation, test, and/or interview data of teen participants, program administrators/leaders, local business partners and other EIP partners. In addition to collection and analysis of these data, observations of training will be conducted in order to gain a deeper understanding of the context and nature of the skills participants might be expected to acquire during their training that should transfer into their internship experience. Observational data will serve two purposes: 1) Help evolve assessment methods in context of the instruction participants are receiving, and 2) Gathering anecdotal information regarding the development and growth of participants throughout the course of participation.

The Provider's duties will include analyzing qualitative and quantitative data for the 3rd and 4th cohort for the Executive Internship Program.  The provider will submit a final evaluation report to the project manager and the Department of Assessment and Evaluation.  The provider will follow evaluation standards established by the Joint Committee on Standards for Education adopted by the American Evaluation Association.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Of the $450,000 allocated for the Youth Opportunities Grant - Executive Internship Program, $13,000 has been allotted for the external evaluation.
EVALUATION
A completed evaluation report will be presented to the Project Manager and the Department of Assessment and Accountability.
SUBMITTED BY:  Samuel R. Whitten, Assistant Director, Assessment and Accountability
David J. Steele, Ph.D.   Gretchen Saunders
Chief Information and Technology Officer and Project Director, Empowering Effective Teachers Grant
(813) 272-4600
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 5.27
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20101207_432 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.27