HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, August 12, 2014
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of Gizmos Licenses from ExploreLearning (Sole-Source Provider), a Division of LAZEL, Inc. (Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ExploreLearning will provide an online subscription service of math and science Gizmos for grades 6-12.  The ExploreLearning license fees include: annual site licenses for all Hillsborough County middle and high school administrators, science and math teachers, and students; ongoing upgrades and maintenance, including additional Gizmos to be developed based upon the Florida Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Gizmos drive inquiry and exploration, providing students with a platform to collect and analyze data in real time while developing strong conceptual understanding of math and science. In alignment with research-based best practices and the Florida Standards, Gizmos are versatile tools that may be used by teachers in whole class or small group instruction, individualized homework, and formative assessment. 

Multiple evaluation measures support continued use of Gizmos. Differentiated features within Gizmos correlate with effective teaching behaviors included on the district’s Teacher Observation Instrument.  During the year, students and teachers have accessed over 358,000 Gizmos, and students who utilize Gizmos most often scored significantly higher than other students on both FCAT 2.0 and the Biology EOC assessments. 

ExploreLearning provides the online subscription services of Gizmos and holds the copyright to these services for the math and science curriculum.  This purchase is exempt from the requesting competitive solicitations by the Florida Department of Education 6A-1.012 Purchasing Policies (11) (b).

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Align the performance management system with the district’s priorities
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Budgeted funds of $577,794 are available through Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI).
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 2013/2014 school year, Gizmos usage by students and teachers increased significantly over previous years.
SUBMITTED BY:  Larry R. Plank, Director, K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Wynne A. Tye   Gretchen Saunders
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.06
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20140812_638 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.06