Title: G5-Learning for Life Grant Application

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve the submission and receipt of the Learning for Life Grant Application to the Florida Department of Education for $175,000, effective Aug. 1, 2006 through July 31, 2006, and authorize 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.

§         This grant is awarded annually to the Gulf Stream Council (Boy Scouts) of Palm Beach County.  Although the School District is the applicant, the funding is designated by the Florida Department of Education for the Gulf Stream Council.

§         The Department of Safe Schools requested that the grant notification arrive prior to the start date; however, the DOE did not comply with the request.  We received notification of the grant in late August 2006; however, the effective date is retroactive to August 1, 2006.

§         In SY07, up to eighty-two (82) elementary schools and four (4) 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 SY07.  See data panel.

Financial Impact:

The financial impact to the Special Revenue-Other Funds budget is an increase of $175,000. 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):
Data Panel Learning for Life.pdf
Learning for Life Application.pdf
Q&AG5.doc