Action Item
|
Business
Action Item |
| DATE: | Tuesday, September 20, 2011 |
| TO: | School Board Members |
| FROM: | MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent |
| SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS | |
| Approve the Recommendation Regarding the Purchase of Gizmos Licenses from ExploreLearning (Sole-Source Provider), a Division of Cambium Learning, Inc. (Curriculum and Instruction Division) | |
| EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | |
| These items from ExploreLearning are considered sole source items and are exempt from the bidding process per Department of Education 6A-1.012 purchasing policies.
ExploreLearning is an online subscription service of Mathematics and Science Gizmos and associated professional development and training. The ExploreLearning license fee includes: (1) Annual site licenses for Hillsborough County high school administrators, science teachers, and students, (2) Ongoing upgrades and maintenance, additional Gizmos, and new products, and (3) Professional development and follow-up support for all of our schools to be provided by ExploreLearning. ExploreLearning Gizmos are award-winning online simulations that drive student inquiry and exploration. With over 450 Gizmos online and more being added regularly, Explorelearning.com is a powerful addition to the Hillsborough County curriculum helping teachers to engage their students more effectively and more deeply in science. |
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| STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES | |
| • Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Align financial resources to support the district’s strategic goals • Demonstrate best financial practices | |
| FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes) | |
| Budgeted funds of $204,378.48 are available through Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) and funds of $180,000 are available through Race To The Top (RTTT)/Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives-project 2051. | |
| EVALUATION | |
| Evaluation of the program will be based on the classroom usage of the instructional tool by teachers and students through online data reporting as well as targeted students' proficiency upon Florida End of Course (EOC) examinations in Algebra I, Biology I and Geometry. During the 2010/2011 school year, Gizmos usage by students and teachers increased over 200%. | |
| SUBMITTED BY: Larry R. Plank, Director of STEM | |
| Wynne A. Tye | Gretchen Saunders | |
| Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction (813) 272-4221 |
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270 |
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| A 5.13 | ||
| Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20110920_472 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.13 | ||