Title: AC10 MOU between the School District and MDRC, Bloom Associates

Recommendation:

I recommend approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between the School Board of Palm Beach County and MDRC, Bloom Associates and Survey Research Management for $67,245 and authorize the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents and contracts related to the MOU which are required for implementation of the project.

Description:

·        The School District has been chosen to participate in a U.S. Department of Education (US DOE) Academic Instruction for After-School Programs Study to evaluate whether after-school programs can significantly boost reading and math proficiency of students in grades two through five using a curriculum designed specifically for the after-school environment. The US DOE has contracted with the Success for All Foundation to adapt its Success for All reading program and with Harcourt School Publishers to adapt Harcourt Math and Intervention materials for use in this study.

·        Five elementary schools will participate in the study.  West Gate will be using the after-school curriculum in math developed by Harcourt School Publishers. Pleasant City, Village Academy, South Grade, and Westward will be using the after-school reading program developed by the Success for All Foundation.

·        The academic curriculum to be used by after-school programs in the study contains the following features:

o       Materials consistent with evidence-based research on effective models for reading/math improvement;

o       Student assessment integral to the program;

o       Content geared to struggling students in grades 2 – 5;

o       Content and delivery that is fast-paced and engaging;

o       Materials that are appropriately challenging and tied to standards;

o       Lessons that are appropriate for students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds; and

o       Instruction that recognizes the limited amount of time that after-school staff can devote to preparation.

·        A part-time program coordinator and a data collection coordinator will be hired at each site to oversee program implementation and documentation.  These coordinators will be hired from the respective school staffs.

·        Study findings will be reported back to the School District.

Financial Impact:

The financial impact to the Special Revenue – Other Funds Budget is an increase of $67,245.  There is no impact to the Operating Budget.

For Additional Information, contact:

Ann Killets       akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us   

Alison Adler

Attachments (list):
MOU between the School District and MDRC, Bloom Associates, Public Private Ventures and Survey Research Management.doc
Data Panel - MOU between the School District and MDRC, Bloom Associates and Survey Research Management.xls