| New Business - Grants |
|
Title: Recommendation: I recommend that the School Board approve approval of the submission and receipt of the Learning for Life Character Education Continuation Grant application to the Florida Department of Education for $140,000, effective July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, and authorized the Superintendent or designee to sign all documents and contracts related to the grant which are required for implementation of the grant activities. Description: § The Learning for Life Character Education Grant supports implementation of Specific Appropriation 10 of CRHB 1385, which awards grant dollars to selected districts to implement the Learning for Life Character Education Program. § The School District received notification of the grant announcement and award in August 2005; however the effective date is retroactive to July 1, 2005. § This grant is awarded to the School District but is designated for the Gulf Stream Council Inc. The award notice indicates that the grant applications are due now, after the funding has been awarded. § To expedite the transfer of funding, a contract for the Gulf Stream Council, Inc., for $140,000 is attached. § In SY06, eighty-one (81) elementary schools and three (3) middle schools will receive the Learning for Life Program. Priority for participation will be given to critical needs performing schools. Selection is based on need and individual school commitment to the program. Eighty-one schools participated last year. § The outcome objectives of the program are to: increase positive student classroom behaviors and improve the learning environment; improve student life skills such as critical thinking and problem solving; and improve student character traits, such as self-worth, self-confidence, motivation and ethical decision-making. § The curriculum for each grade level consists of 61 lesson plans designed to reinforce social, ethical and academic skills in areas including: critical and creative thinking, citizenship, ethical decision making, interpersonal relationships, practical living skills, reading, writing, and other language arts. § The results of an external evaluation contracted by the Learning for Life in SY05 were positive. The same evaluation will be conducted at the end of SY06. Financial Impact: The financial impact to the Special Revenue-Other Funds budget is an increase of $140,000. These funds will be distributed to Gulf Stream Council, Inc. All grant-related expenditures and contracts are authorized for payment up to the amount of revenue. There is no financial impact to the Operating Budget. For Additional Information, contact: Ann Killets (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us) Alison Adler Attachments (list):
|