School Board in Action

NEW WORKSHOPS OFFERED THROUGH TECHNICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ENDEAVOUR ACADEMY
In January, 2004, the School Board approved a partnership agreement with the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) and its Endeavour Academy. TRDA and the Endeavour Academy, was established by the Florida Legislature in 1987, to provide training to Broward's science teachers.   Training materials have been developed through strategic alliances with NASA, the federal government, the aerospace industry and state partners. With the School Board's approval of amendments to the partnership agreement, the Endeavour Academy will now be able to offer a series of workshops on a variety of topics.  Many of the workshops are aligned with the subject material covered in the new FCAT science exam.  Topics include: Roller Coaster Physics; Fossil Hunting and Florida Geology; Loxahatchee Biodiversity Studies; and PowerPoint & Technology.

AVAILABILITY OF "INSPIRATION" AND "KIDSPIRATION" SOFTWARE EXPANDED
"Inspiration" and "Kidspiration" curriculum software has been used extensively by teachers and students to assist in structuring research, organizing thought processes, brainstorming ideas and developing concept maps.  Many of the District's schools and departments have purchased these programs, but the purchases were made without the benefit of the preferential pricing that comes with a bulk purchase.  Demand for this software has risen substantially because teachers are learning how to use it through professional development and programs such as the Digital Education Teacher Academy and the New Teacher Academy.  To enable all classroom computers to utilize the software, the Board approved an agreement with the manufacturer, Inspiration Software, Inc., to purchase sufficient licenses for all instructional computers in the District.  In addition, software upgrades for current licenses have been included in the negotiated price.  The agreement enables the District's educators to load the software on their home computers for lesson planning purposes. It also provides professional development materials via a Web site, training CDs and training services. 

AGREEMENT WITH STATE TO PROVIDE DRIVER EDUCATION LICENSE TESTS
The Board approved an agreement with the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DMV) that allows the school system to administer driver license tests as part of its driver education program. The District is certified to conduct an approved testing program - Driver Education License Assistance Program (DELAP) - on behalf of the department. A certified driver's education teacher will be able to administer the written and road test sections of the driver's license exam.  Students will still need to take their test results to the DMV to complete the process including vision exam and photograph, to be issued a license. Funds for the District's existing driver's education program are provided through the Dori Shlosberg Driver Safety Education Act, which directs $3 of every moving violation fine paid in the state to driver's education. This funding provides salaries for teachers, as well as refurbishing of the road course and vehicles. The program also provides cars with special accommodations for physically challenged students.

AGREEMENT WITH THE BROWARD CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR ARTS IN EDUCATION
Since 1984, the School Board and the Broward Cultural Council have worked as partners to provide cultural and artistic services to schools.  In 1994, the parties redesigned cultural services to specifically support student-learning objectives identified in school improvement plans. The agreement is designed to support education through the arts by improving student's reading skills by integrating the arts in reading programs; developing creative links between resources of the cultural community and schools; providing arts experience to students and teachers so they can better understand the creative process, aesthetic nature and value of art disciplines; and enabling students to become art appreciators and producers of the arts. All Broward public schools and innovation zones are eligible to apply for project funds.  Zone or school projects must include a minimum of 200 students.  A school or zone may request up to $22,000 for an Arts in Education project.  Projects should support school or zone improvement plans and the District's focus on improving reading.