Title: G10 English Literacy and Civics Education Grant Continuation

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the continuation of the English Literacy and Civics Education Grant in the amount of $217,549 effective July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 and authorize the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents and contracts related to the grant which are required for implementation of grant activities.

Description:

Consider approval of the continuation of an English Literacy and Civics Education Grant in the amount of $217,549 effective July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. This will be the third year of this grant.

This grant will assist immigrant and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students to master English and be able to access governmental, educational and workplace systems, including banking and health care institutions. It will assist students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful employment, leading to economic self-sufficiency and effective citizenship.

This grant will provide all community schools with the necessary materials, hardware, and equipment to be able to use technology to place students in appropriate programs, diagnose learners' instructional needs, monitor progress, and certify mastery of functional basic skills. The schools will be using the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS), a standardized test required by the Department of Education for Adult ESOL students. CASAS is used to assess the outcome measures for accountability on a standardized national reporting scale. The additional funds will be used to purchase software to help programs establish a high quality information management system for collecting, aggregating, and reporting performance outcomes by site, class, and learner.

Evaluation will be accomplished by comparing Literacy Completion Points (LCP) from previous year's hand scoring of assessments with the computerized scoring of assessments of the current year measuring any increases.  LCPs are earned for each student who completes an Adult ESOL level of instruction under the Performance Based Funding formula. 

Financial Impact:
The financial impact to the District is a $217,549 increase to the Special Revenue - Other Funds budget. These Workforce Development related grant funds are not part of K-12 FEFP funding. There is no capital impact. The funds will be allocated within the Office of Adult and Community Education budget. All grant related expenditures and contracts are authorized for payment up to the amount of the revenue.

For Additional Information, contact:

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

E. Wayne Gent

Attachments (list):
Data Panels EL Civics.doc
EL Civics Year 3 05 06 CV.doc