HCPS FL Logo Student Services
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 2014
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Purchase of Newspaper Inserts and Services from the Tampa Tribune to Recruit Candidates for Both the Science and Math Accelerated Readiness for Teaching Program (S.M.A.R.T.) and the Program to Attract and Train Highly Qualified Teachers of Students with Disabilities (PATH) (Student Services Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The S.M.A.R.T. Program is funded through a Federal Transition to Teaching Grant and was designed to attract highly qualified non-education majors with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) to become math and/or science teachers in grades 6-12. Participants in the program receive a scholarship to pay for the district’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP), finish ACP in one-year, teach in a high-needs school for three years and then receive a reimbursement for their state testing fees up to $680.

During the first two years of the grant, recruitment sessions were held at the Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance and the program management team determined that additional methods were needed to generate interest in the program. During year three, interest in the program increased significantly from 100 attending information sessions to 180. During year four, additional advertising saw an increase to 220 attending. In year four, over half of the information session attendees cited the Tampa Tribune as how they learned about Project S.M.A.R.T. 

Executive Summary continued on attachment.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Recruit, develop, and retain a highly effective, diverse workforce
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  Yes)
Funds of $70,000 will be available in Project 2574 (S.M.A.R.T.). Funds of $70,000 will be available in Projects 2315 and 2515 (PATH).  Year-to-date expenditures for 2014/2015, are $15,750. Expenditures for 2014/2015, were $100,000.
EVALUATION
Project S.M.A.R.T and Project PATH staff will evaluate the quality of services through a two-fold method. Each individual meeting roster is examined to determine the percentage of participants attending from each advertising method. Additionally, Dr. Mariann Schmudde, external evaluator, writes a comprehensive report evaluating the grant annually.
SUBMITTED BY:  Jamalya Jackson, Director, Professional Development
George Gaffney, Assistant Superintendent   Gretchen Saunders
Student Services Division
(813) 273-7033
  Chief Business Officer
(813) 272-4270
    A 6.06
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20141014_643 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 6.06