Student Services and Federal Programs Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, January 24, 2012
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Payment to the University of South Florida (USF) for Services Associated with Their Partnership in Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) Voluntary Public School Choice (VPSC), Project #U361A070017-11B (Student Services and Federal Programs Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) awarded $10,866,173 to HCPS for the district’s VPSC project.  The purpose of the program is to establish or expand a public school choice program.  The project director for this grant is the district’s Director of Student Planning and Placement.  The project began October 1, 2007, and ends September 30, 2012, with year five funding of $1,782,175.  Of the total amount awarded in year five, $124,787 is allocated for project services rendered by USF.  Faculty and staff from USF College of Education’s Anchin Center, through the Tampa Bay Educational Partnership, a formal partnership between the district and the university, will provide research, planning, implementation oversight, and materials development to support the integration of culturally competent instructional practices into curriculum and instruction.  See Attachment A, Scope of Work, for details.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• 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 this project is provided by the USDOE's Voluntary Public School Choice grant.  HCPS is the grant’s fiscal agent and project funds reside with the district.
EVALUATION
Under the terms of the grant, HCPS is responsible for project evaluation.  A copy of the annual reports and final evaluation report will be provided to HCPS Office of Assessment and Accountability. The anticipated date for the annual report for year five is December 30, 2012.
SUBMITTED BY:  Pansy Houghton, Director, Student Planning and Placement Lisa Cobb, Assistant Director, Grants and Research Operations

Gwendolyn L. Luney, Assistant Superintendent		Gretchen Saunders
Student Services and Federal Programs (813) 272-4879		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		A 5.17
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20120124_491 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.17