HCPS FL Logo Information and Technology
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, May 3, 2011
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Agreement for Technical Services for DKH Consulting Services, Inc. to Perform the First Year Evaluation of the Federally Funded Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP), Project 2033 (Information and Technology Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant newly awarded in 2010 continues with the latest group of schools.  As in previous years, the major goals of the District's Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) are to correlate with the goals of the federal MSAP.  These goals are to decrease desegregation and provide school choice, build capacity within proposed magnet programs and the district's magnet program, and increase academic achievement for all students. 

Dr. Deidra Honeywell, the president of DKH Consulting, has been asked to continue her evaluation activities with the district MSAP grant and to perform the duties required by the Federal Government for an independent evaluation of the project.  Dr. Honeywell has worked extensively with obtaining and winning grants and is knowledgeable about the process including curriculum integration.  She is very well known in the state and in Washington, D.C.  Dr. Honeywell has conducted previous years' MSAP evaluations for The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida.  

Dr. Honeywell will design and implement data collection instruments.  Each site will be visited three times during the evaluation period.  The evaluator will determine the number of staff development sessions provided and the number of activities and PLC meetings held.  The evaluator will develop teacher and student surveys to collect data on the success of the programs at each school.  The provider will gather feedback from the evaluation office and program specialists.  Formative, summative and final reports will be submitted.  The findings will be distributed to those administrators and supervisors directly involved with the magnet program.  The extent to which the magnet schools were successful in meeting their yearly objectives will be summarized and will be supported by relevant data.  Recommendations for improvement will be made based on a review of the data.  The magnet schools involved in the first-year of this federally-funded project evaluation are: Franklin Preparatory Academy, Lockhart Elementary Magnet, Roland Park K-8 School, and Walker Middle Magnet School.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
The total first-year, federally funded grant is $3,901,189.  Of this amount, $60,000 has been allocated for an external evaluation.
EVALUATION
Formative and summative reports will be submitted throughout the first year of the project.  A final report will be submitted at the end of the evaluation period.
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
813-272-4600
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 5.05
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20110503_458 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.05