Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item |
DATE: | Tuesday, October 9, 2012 |
TO: | School Board Members |
FROM: | MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent |
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS | |
Approve the Renewal of Renzulli Site Licenses from Renzulli Learning Systems, LLC for the 2012/2013 School Year (Curriculum and Instruction Division) | |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | |
Approval is requested for the renewal of the subscription of site licenses for 4,200 non-Title I and 2,900 Title I elementary gifted students. This license includes the following: (1) unlimited web-based access for students and teachers, (2) Renzulli Profiler – a strength assessment analysis tool of each student's interest areas, learning styles, and expression styles, (3) 24/7 access to Differentiated Database of educational, age-appropriate resources, (4) student, teacher, manager, and parent portals, (5) database searchable by Florida State Standards and Common Core Standards, (6) access to differentiated projects, assignments, and unit supplements, and (7) student and teacher E-Portfolio.
This program is based on 35 years of research and $35 million of research and development by the University of Connecticut's Drs. Joseph Renzulli and Sally Reis. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluation measures support continued use of Renzulli Learning System. During the past 12 months, district elementary gifted students have utilized Renzulli Learning System for a variety of learning experiences. Using Renzulli Learning System, these students have completed more than 13,158 differentiated lessons, projects, and assignments, an increase of 38% from the previous year. These licenses from Renzulli Learning Systems, LLC are considered sole source items and are exempt from the bidding process per Florida Department of Education 6A1.012 purchasing policies. |
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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES | |
• Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum | |
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes) | |
Budgeted funds of $34,800 will be available from Title I Funds and $50,400 from Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) in the general fund. | |
EVALUATION | |
Use of Renzulli Learning System will be evaluated using both quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitative measures will include examining usage data to determine the number of assignments and projects (teacher created and student created) generated through Renzulli Learning System. Additional quantitative data will include the number of websites visited by students and overall usage (days) by students and teachers. Qualitative data will be gathered through attitudinal surveys. | |
SUBMITTED BY:
Barbara B. Hancock, General Director, Elementary Education Lauri Kirsch, Ed.D., Supervisor, K-12 Gifted |
Wynne A. Tye | Gretchen Saunders | |
Assistant Superintendent (813) 272-4221 |
Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270 |
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A 5.02 | ||
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20121009_514 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 5.02 |