Curriculum and Instruction Action Item

DATE:	Tuesday, August 27, 2013
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve Memorandum of Agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Middle School Residency Program (Curriculum and Instruction)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Helios Education Foundation awarded $2,736,000 to USF for the implementation of the STEM Middle School Residency Program. This Program focuses on restructuring preservice mathematics and science education programs at USF to align with Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) way of work, including the teacher evaluation system and curricular expectations. This project supports the implementation of the middle school teacher education program that was collaboratively developed by the USF teacher education, arts and sciences, and engineering faculty, content specialists from HCPS and representatives from the Helios Education Foundation. HCPS agrees to an estimated in-kind contribution of $12,421 for a small portion of time from curriculum and instruction personnel and professional development personnel to further support this project for the 2013/2014 school year.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum • Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
Funding for this project is provided by the Helios Education Foundation. USF is the grant's fiscal agent and project funds reside at USF.
EVALUATION
Under the terms of the grant, USF is responsible for project evaluation.
SUBMITTED BY:  Larry R. Plank, Director of K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Lisa Cobb, Director, Grants and Research Operations

Wynne A., Tye		Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction (813) 272-4221		Chief Business Officer (813) 272-4270
		A 6.20
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20130827_594 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.20