DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
HighScope Educational Research Foundation
SUMMARY:
This item includes a briefing and Board action to approve a Professional Services Agreement with HighScope Educational Research Foundation for professional development services and support materials for teachers in an amount not to exceed $675,000.00 for a period of three years with five, one year renewal options.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2017 Pre-K 4 SA adopted the HighScope approach as its instructional framework for guiding high-quality instruction in the classroom and professional learning for all teaching staff. In order to achieve the goal of systematically creating a comprehensive, high-quality early learning system in San Antonio, Pre-K 4 SA’s Competitive Education Grants funded school districts to expand or enhance educational opportunities for four-year-olds in San Antonio, especially programs that target underserved students. Pre-K 4 SA has adopted and supports grant awardees’ use of the HighScope approach as its instructional framework for guiding high-quality instruction in the classroom and professional learning. For school year 2020-2021, six Competitive Grants awardees proposed implementing the curriculum in nearly 40 classrooms.
For nearly four years, Pre-K 4 SA has offered the HighScope Preschool Curriculum Course (PCC) training to its own teachers, ensuring that teachers who complete the program are equipped to implement the HighScope Preschool Curriculum with fidelity, which in turn improves classroom instructional quality.
In order to make good on the promise of delivering high quality early childhood education for San Antonio children, Pre-K 4 SA desires to enter into a new Professional Services Agreement with Highscope Education Research Foundation during the program reauthorization period in an amount not to exceed $675,000.00 for a period of three years with five, one year renewal options.
This agreement will provide the Pre-K 4 SA program and Competitive Grant awardees with professional development services, support and research materials and training. Highscope Education Research Foundation products and services are research-based and proprietary, and cannot be replicated by another vendor nor is it subcontracted.
An exception to the City’s Procurement Policy for procurements more than $50,000.00 was authorized by Pre-K 4 SA’s Executive Leadership Team member, Assistant City Manager Alex Lopez, as outlined in the City's Procurement Policy and Procedures Manual. A solicitation waiver memo detailing the reasons for the exception for Highscope Educational Research Foundation’s professional development services, support and research materials and training was approved on March 31, 2021.
Final approval of this agreement is pending Small Business and Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program review by the City’s Small Business Office (SBO). Pre-K 4 SA staff will submit a SBEDA waiver for the process in the coming weeks.
ISSUE:
Pre-K 4 SA staff requests Board approval to execute a Professional Services Agreement with HighScope Educational Research Foundation for professional development services and support materials for teachers in an amount not to exceed $675,000.00 for a period of three years with five, one year renewal options.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board does not approve the execution of the Agreement, Pre-K 4 SA will not be able to continue utilizing this high-quality instructional framework and will need to consider other options.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item authorizes execution of a Professional Services Agreement with HighScope Educational Research Foundation in an amount not to exceed $675,000.00 for a period of three years with five, one year renewal options.
Funds for this agreement are available in the FY 2022 Pre-K 4 SA Operating Budget contingent upon approval by the Board of Directors. Subsequent year funding is contingent on the approval of each annual budget by the Board of Directors.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board approve a Professional Services Agreement with HighScope Educational Research Foundation for professional development services and support materials for teachers in an amount not to exceed $675,000.00 for a period of three years with five, one year renewal options.