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SpringBoard
SpringBoard is a unique program designed around the rigorous College Board Standards for high school and college success. By backward-mapping the competencies students should master from grade 12 down to grade six, SpringBoard enables our teachers to provide a systematic, seamless, and rigorous curriculum throughout middle school to better prepare students for high school and to increase the rigor of our middle school language arts and mathematics classrooms. The programs are designed to help prepare more students for AP (Advanced Placement) and other rigorous high school classes and use a student-centered approach and exploratory, hands-on activities. Preliminary analysis in SpringBoard classrooms across the country show increased student engagement (more than 80 percent of students on-task and focused) and increased achievement.
RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends that the board renew this agreement with The College Board for the period of July 1, 2007 to July 1, 2008, at a cost of $168,863 for SpringBoard subscription, services and materials. This item was approved as a part of the 2007-08 Board of Education budget.
Scantron
The district used the Scantron software system during the 2006-07 school year. This system enabled us to implement quarterly benchmarks in tested subjects for elementary, middle and high schools. It assisted teachers and principals in diagnosing mastery of objectives aligned to the Standard Course of Study. The system can be implemented on-line or through paper scanning. The latter provides students and teachers with an opportunity to simulate the testing environment. The feedback is immediate and can be disaggregated by school, grade/subject, teacher and specific objectives.
RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends that the board renew the Scantron agreement in the amount of $253,499.99 for the 2007-08 school year. This item was approved as a part of the 2007-08 Board of Education budget.
Talent Development
The district has adopted the Talent Development model as their high school reform initiative for Smith and Dudley High Schools. During the 2007-08 school year the reform model will include the creation of a ninth grade success academy. The academy will be a self contained smaller learning community with dedicated administration & teaching staff. Teacher teams will be established for every 150 -180 students. The model requires the use of block scheduling. The academy will also include transition courses such as freshman seminar, strategic reading, and transition to advanced mathematics in order to support students academic success. This model has been approved for use by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Judge Howard Manning.
RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends that the board approve the Talent Development agreement in the amount of $496,000 for the 2007-08 school year. This item was approved as a part of the 2007-08 Board of Education budget.
Attachment #1 - SpringBoard Agreement
Attachment #2 - Scantron Agreement
Attachment #3 - Talent Development Agreement - Dudley
Attachment #4 - Talent Development Agreement - Smith
Attachment #5 - Talent Development Budget
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