Title: CL4 Continuation Contract with Junior Achievement Soaring to Success

Recommendation:

I recommend that the School Board approve the continuation of contract between The School District of Palm Beach County and Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches, Inc., for the “Soaring to Success” middle school program in the amount of $80,000, effective August 1, 2005 through May 31, 2006, and authorize the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents and amendments related to the contract for implementation.

Description:

4           Junior Achievement has been in partnership with the School District since 1998.  This program, “Soaring to Success:”

o        Is a middle school program that assists students in discovering their personal skills and interests, exploring career options, learning about budgeting and discovering the value of career education;

o        Includes a field trip and career interest inventory for each participating student; and

o        Bases school selection on the school’s willingness to participate and its desire to increase community and business involvement.

4           During the 2004-2005 school year, Junior Achievement provided the “Soaring to Success” program to ten middle schools: Bear Lakes, Conniston, H.L. Watkins, Jefferson Davis, John F. Kennedy, Jupiter, Lake Shore, Pahokee, Roosevelt and Watson B. Duncan.

4           As a direct result of the sustained positive relationship between Junior Achievement and the School District of Palm Beach County, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded a matching grant to double the current “Soaring to Success” participation.

4           Combining the proposed School Board funding of $80,000, the Knight Funding of $80,000, plus an additional $20,000 in matching dollars from Junior Achievement will allow 100 classes with 2,800 students to receive services.

4           During the 2005-2006 school year, Junior Achievement will provide:

o        The opportunity for all middle schools to participate in the “Soaring to Success” program;

o        The “Soaring to Success” program to approximately 100 classes;

o        Six sessions that will include career information presentations for students given by business volunteers; and

o        A job shadowing/field trip for each class to a local college/university/post-secondary education center encouraging students to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and workforce readiness.

4           Students in the “Soaring to Success” program will take the Economic Literacy pre and post-test.  Analysis of the pre-test and post-test will be used to evaluate the program and help to make program recommendations.

4           Funds will be used to provide for curriculum materials and transportation for field trips for each school.

Financial Impact:
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The financial impact to the District’s FY 2006 general fund operating budget is $80,000.  The source of funds is the Secondary and Career Education department budget.

For Additional Information, contact:

Ann Killets(akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

E. Wayne Gent

Brenda Magee

Attachments (list):
Data Panels J.A..doc
Contract J.A. Soaring to Success.doc
J.A. Information Panel.xls
Q&Acl4.doc