Optimizing Out of School Time in Urban School Districts

Presented by:Lewis Brinson, Assistant Superintendent for Administration,

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Pansy Houghton, Ph.D., Director of Student Planning & Placement, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Carla Sparks, Specialist, Student Planning & Placement, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Karen French, Principal of Franklin Middle Magnet School, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Samuel Brown, Lead Instructor, Franklin Middle Magnet School, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Michael Cooper, Ph.D., Director of Southeast Region Affairs,The First Tee

Kennie Sims, Director of Golf Operations, Tampa Sports Authority

Background Hillsborough County Public Schools

is the 8th largest school district in the nation.

To design a Choice plan to meet the needs of a geographically, ethnically and economically diverse population, the district restructured an existing system that had 17 “feeder school” based clusters.

The Choice plan divides the district into seven regions. Each region is comprised of two or three high schools, plus the elementary and middle schools.

The Choice plan has become an integral part of the district’s culture with a name change in 2006 to reflect a comprehensive approach to the array of school choices offered in the district: Hillsborough Choice Options.

Background

1990-1991 Hillsborough High

School was opened as the first district magnet school

1971 The District was

directed to submit a comprehensive desegregation plan to the courts

2001 The District achieved

unitary status

Voluntary Public Schools Choice Grant Project

Under the Voluntary Public Schools Choice grant project, Hillsborough County Public Schools has developed The First Tee Golf Academy at Franklin Middle Magnet School.

The faculty and staff at Franklin are supportive of the First Tee program.

HCPS leadership feels that the First Tee program enhances the Rigorous Academic Program already funded under the current VPSC grant .

The Golf Academy

•The Golf Academy serves as an attractor program to Franklin and co-exists with the existing Law Studies and Public Service magnet program. 

•The Academy is part of The First Tee National School Program. 

•The First Tee National School Program promotes character development and life skills through the game of golf.

Learning Golf Learning Life Lessons

The First Tee is a nationally recognized program that seeks to provide educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.

Golf is used as the vehicle through which youth are empowered to actively participate in their own learning and in decision making and goal setting that will affect their futures.

Learning Golf Learning Life Lessons

As students learn the art of Golf, they also learn the importance of

• maintaining a positive attitude

• how to make decisions by thinking about the consequences

• how to define and set goals from the golf course to everyday life

9 Core Values

Honesty

Integrity

Sportsmanship

Respect

Confidence

Responsibility

Perseverance

Courtesy

Judgment

Chipping practice at Franklin Middle School

Training By The First TeeFor Instructional Leaders

Chipping practice at Franklin Middle School

Trip to Rogers Park Golf Course

Chipping Practice

Mid-Winter Golf Classic at Rogers Park

Mid-Winter Golf Classic at Rogers Park

Field trip to World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine Florida

Golf Show Florida State Fair Grounds

Classroom InstructionWith Coach Sam Brown

ResultsOur data shows:

• Students in the Golf Academy in 2009-2010 improved their school day attendance by 8 percent over the previous school year.

• School day discipline referrals decreased among these students by 5 percent in 2009-2010 as compared to 2008-2009.

Innovative Partnerships