HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Action Item
DATE: Tuesday, October 27, 2015
TO: School Board Members
FROM: Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the National University’s Sanford Education Center for The Sanford Harmony Program 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sanford Harmony Program promotes positive relationships among prekindergarten students through targeted lessons. The program provides teachers with a set of tools to foster and support social connections among students and to develop positive peer relationships. The ultimate goal is to teach mutual respect while encouraging greater collaboration and empathy among all students of diverse backgrounds. The program will include nine of our Exceptional Early Learning Program classrooms that are blended with voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) students.
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:  Yes)
The materials and training are provided to our teachers by the National University’s Sanford Education Center free of charge.
EVALUATION
The district will work with representatives of The Sanford Harmony Program to facilitate the evaluation of the program.  Teachers will be surveyed, before and after implementation, to describe student behaviors and note outcomes.
SUBMITTED BY:  Lisa Black, Supervisor, Kindergarten/VPK
Barbara B. Hancock   Denny B. Oest
Instructional Leadership Director, Elementary Education
(813) 272-4455
  Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
    A 1.02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20151027_703 (Board Meeting) * Section A Item# 1.02