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From the Heart International Educational Services

Professional Contract

Pulaski County Special School District

Little Rock Arkansas

2 From the Heart International Management Company

Leading Schools, Transforming Schools, and Creating Schools… From the Heart

Executive Summary

From the Heart International Management Company (FTH) is dedicated to closing gaps in academic achievement by providing comprehensive educational services that will transform schools into highly effective learning communities. We are particularly dedicated to improving the lives of children and families living in traditionally vulnerable communities.

We realize that school communities are now faced with achievement issues in ways they never

have before. In both public and private institutions, access to quality instruction is not a guarantee for all children. Nevertheless, the overwhelming civic expectation is that children and youth grow to be productive citizens and reach their maximum potential through the methodology of “schooling”. However, the road to success can be unnecessarily arduous unless children participate in developmental experiences that include the guidance of highly motivated persons and well-‐structured comprehensive systems of academic and social support.

Our approach to PK-‐12 education is laser focused and buttressed with a “systems-‐management”

framework that takes a holistic view of highly effective learning communities:

FTH Six Essential Elements of Highly Effective PK-‐12 Learning Communities: A Context for Experiencing School

1.) Competent Leadership 2.) Scientifically Based Research (SBR) Curriculum and Instruction

3.) Ongoing and Embedded Professional Development 4.) Valid and Reliable Assessment 5.) Responsible Fiscal Management

6.) Parent and Community Involvement. In addition, our student engagement methodologies are particularly valuable, yet not

exclusively, for districts and schools that struggle with the three disaggregated groups that nationally have been identified as the lowest in academic performance: (1&2) Black and Hispanic children living in poor urban and rural communities, and (3) Black and Hispanic Males (NAEP 2012).


Agreement for Professional Educational Services

PREAMBLE This Professional Agreement is by and between From the Heart International Management Company, 1330 Churchill Road Springfield, Illinois 62702, hereinafter referred to as “FTH”; and Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD), a Local Education Agency (LEA), and engaged in providing educational services, including special education programs and other related services. HES, under the auspices of PCSSD, desires to engage the professional services of FTH; hereafter described in connection with PCSSD programming and service delivery. FTH represents that they have the expertise, training and qualifications to perform these services.

Description of FTH Professional Services SCOPE OF WORK

Understood Demographics and Academic Performances

School Name Grade

Level No.

Students %Black %White %Low

Income GreatSchools

Rating 1. Harris Elementary PK-‐5 224 87 9 92 1 % of Students Performing at Basic and Below Basic levels on the ACTAAP

Harris Elementary School Academic

Year G3

Reading G5

Reading G3

Reading Black

G5 Reading Black

G3 Reading Male

G5 Reading Male

G3 Math

G5 Math

2011 75 58 71 71 78 71 61 67 2010 63 59 67 56 80 73 58 59 2009 59 55 63 52 58 73 50 55

Arkansas Department of Education, www.arkansased.org GreatSchools, www.greatschools.org

FTH will support HES’s achievement goals by providing student leadership extension programs, targeted teacher professional development, and as needed technical assistance to school administration.

1. STUDENT LEADERSHIP EXTENSION PROGRAM: Purposeful Living Project for Young People (The Purposeful Living Project is designed to: 1) Promote self-‐awareness, 2) Focus on the Common Core State Standards in Reading and Writing, 3) Teach basic life skills, and 4) Emphasize the importance of living purposeful and productive lives)


Scope of services will include: Facilitating student leadership training for approximated 50 HES G3-‐5 students Completing home visits for a minimum of 80% of participating students Facilitating a minimum of 10 workshop sessions covering the Purposeful Living Project

Curriculum Conducting project evaluation and accountability that is inclusive of: 1) pre and post interviews

with students, parents, and teachers; 2) Monthly updates to school administration and Superintendent; and 3) See Also section on FTH Professional Services Evaluation and Accountability

Facilitating overview presentations to Board of Education, district level leadership, school administration, and local business community

Participating in exit interviews with district level leadership, school administration, and other relevant stakeholders as determined by Superintendent

2. GENERAL SUPPORT:

Facilitate as needed presentations to stakeholder groups, particularly community organizations, regarding FTH and its partnership with and PCSSD

Provide technical assistance and as needed support to school administration


Mutual Goals and Expected Outcomes

PCSSD Education Plan Goals Joint Outcomes FTH Achieve Goals 1. To improve educational

achievement by all students, with special attention to African American students and others who are at risk of academic failure due to socioeconomic disadvantages, or other factors.

Following two years of effective implementation of Purposeful Living Project for Young People, an increase of 20% or better of HES students will

perform at the Proficient and Advanced Levels in Reading and Math as determined by the Arkansas

Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP).

Goal 2 To equip HES students with learning strategies that engage, are culturally competent, aligned with the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI), and that will ensure all students achieving on or above grade level in Reading and Math as determined by valid and reliable assessment.

2. To decrease the performance gap between White and African American students through the systematic design/selection and implementation of intervention programs that provide effective remediation and/or adaptation to individual or group needs.

Following two years of effective implementation of Purposeful living project for Young People, an increase of 20% or better of HES students will perform on or above grade level in

Reading as determined by district level mandated summative assessment.

Goal 2 See Goal 2 previously posted.

3. To increase the proportion of African American and disadvantaged students participating in extra curricula activities, gifted programs and honors, enriched, and advanced placement courses.

Following two years of implementing Purposeful Living Project for Young

People, HES will achieve an increase of 25% or better of student participation

in after school and/or other enrichment programs as determined by program enrollment/attendance and

satisfaction surveys.

Goal 3 To improve student achievement for a majority of “case study students” as measured by pre and post interviews and/or results of state mandated annually administered norm-‐referenced and growth-‐based assessments.

4. To reduce the number of discipline problems and classroom disruptions caused by all students regardless of race or background.

Following two years of implementing the Purposeful Living Project for Young People, overall disciplinary infractions at HES will decrease by 30% or better as determined by school disciplinary

reports and parent surveys.

Goal 4 To engage HES students in activities that encourage them to live their highest potential as determined by summative achievement results and personal satisfaction surveys.

5. To increase student attendance and decrease suspensions and grade retentions for all students, regardless of race or background.

Following two years of implementing the Purposeful Living Project for Young People, HES will achieve and maintain an average daily attendance of 95% or better; and reduce school suspensions by no less than 30% as determined by

the Arkansas Department of Education’s (ADE) standards and

policies.

Goal 4 See Goal 4 previously posted.

6. To establish an ongoing, systematic evaluation system at individual schools and the district level to:

Access the progress made at the school or district levels in achieving the educational goals

Provide direction for “Educational

FTH is committed to acting with fidelity to the goals and strategies outlined in the HES comprehensive educational

plan.

Goal 1 To assist HES in meeting achievement goals and outcomes as determined by the school’s comprehensive (strategic) educational plans and/or state mandated academic audits.


Plan” and educational program improvements, where indicated.

FTH Professional Services Evaluation and Accountability Evaluation and accountability of services is critical to the success of this partnership. Implementation of these services is facilitated in the initial phases of each project and continues throughout the duration of this contract. Our Evaluation and Accountability services include:

Pre-‐interviews within the first 30 days of program implementation, and post-‐interviews within

30 days of ending a project.

Ongoing satisfaction surveys administered following each workshop session. Documenting the partnership experience in a published Executive Summary presented to school

administration, Superintendent, and any other personnel or stakeholders requested by the

Superintendent. Make use of the FTH Six Essential Elements Evaluation Tool as a guide for quality services. Make use for quality services purposes any 1) state mandated audits, 2) state or district level

school improvement guidelines and policies, 3) state mandated learning standards, 4) district’s and school’s vision and mission, and 5) results of summative and progress monitoring

assessments (state and district required). Facilitation of an online technology based program management tool that will ensure fidelity to

the expectations of this contract for program services, evaluation, and accountability.

Duties of HES

HES will provide the following support: 1. HES administration will identify the relevant school personnel as “Direct Contact Person(s)” for the

purposes of facilitating this agreement for educational services. 2. Provide onsite work space for FTH.

The provided work space shall be used only for the purposes of facilitating this agreement for educational services. The work space should include the use of usual business equipment such as copier, wireless or other access to internet services, LCD monitor and other electronic presentation equipment, landline telephone, etc., for the sole purpose of facilitating the educational services identified in this agreement.

The work space shall be provided for the full duration of this agreement. The cost of the above referenced support having been figured into the payment for services

under this agreement. 3. Provide temporary access to clerical and administrative support to ensure the development and

completion of this services agreement. Clerical support shall assist FTH in facilitating this agreement for educational services.


The cost of this support having been figured into the payment for services under this

agreement. 4. Provide the physical space necessary for the facilitation of professional development and training.

FTH will work closely with “Direct Contact Person(s)” to research available spaces for focus groups and training, and submit their findings to relevant personnel; and if warranted submit findings with a costs structure to the appropriate HES department. HES reserves the right to approve any and all final decisions on procurement of space, space rental and costs.

5. Provide FTH access to all necessary and legally allowable records and information that assists in the

delivery of services for this agreement. This may include, but is not limited to: Names and responsibilities of relevant school officials, school administration and administrative

staff; Names of teaching staff, grade levels and classroom locations; List of current curricula, curricula series and other instructional information; Student data that includes disaggregated information on levels of achievement, gender and

race; State mandated academic audits and district/school improvement plans; and District/School calendar and scheduled meeting/conferences times and dates with key

personnel and Board of Education.

Payment for Professional Educational Services 1. PCSSD will pay fees for services in the total amount of $16,500.00 to FTH for educational services

rendered. This fee is a contingency fee which includes payment for this agreement’s scope of work, and further explained as follows:

Student Leadership Extension Program ($10,000.00 Contingency Rate)

FTH Consultants [Various consultants assigned based on workshop type] [Consultants will spend a minimum of 5 days per month in the district/school]

Core Workshops/Institutes [A minimum of 10 onsite training sessions covering student leadership program]

Training preparation and follow-‐up Training materials, books, refreshments, and other resources

Evaluation and Accountability ($1,500.00 Contingency Rate)

FTH Consultants (Implementation facilitation) Pre and Post Interviews, Survey Distribution, and Data Aggregation Executive Summaries General Communications/Materials and Resources Publishing and Public Presentations (findings)


General Support Services Professional Coaching and Technical Assistance for School Administration General Communications/Materials and Resources

Administrative Costs ($5,000.00 Contingency Rate)

Travel and Expenses Administrative and Professional Fees ________________

$16,500.00 -‐ TOTAL

I. This contract agreement will be paid as follows:

The total cost of this contract for services is: $16,500.00. Contracted services will be paid on or before the 30th of a month following the submission of an

invoice statement on or before the 15th of a month and in accordance with the HES’ approved facilitation schedule; which should include start-‐up phase, training modules, project evaluation, data collection, administrative presentations, and submission of an Executive Summary. The payment schedule will reflect as follows:

Invoice Date Payment Amount Payment Date

(on or before)

Start-‐Up $3,300.00 As described in facilitation schedule (To Be Negotiated)

Following the completion of three training modules

$3,300.00 As described in facilitation schedule (To Be Negotiated)

Following the completion of six training modules


Following the completion of ten training modules


Following the completion of evaluation, data collection, and submission of the Executive Summary


TOTAL -‐ $16,500.00


Other Contract Terms of Agreement

Term of Services

This Contract shall commence on July 1, 2012, and remain in full force and effective until the expiration date of June 30, 2013.

Early Termination This agreement may be terminated for any reason during its term by either Party upon thirty (30) days written notice to the other Party. In the event that this agreement is terminated during its term pursuant to this provision, HES will pay FTH for services provided up to and including the date for early termination. Any funds remitted by HES in excess of the pro-‐rata charges for services provided by FTH up to and including early termination will be returned to HES. Any such amounts owed by either Party to the other shall be paid within (30) days of the date set for early termination of this Agreement.

Taxation Responsibilities

FTH shall make all requisite tax filing and payments to the appropriate federal, state, and local tax authorities. No part of the compensation to FTH under this agreement shall be subject to withholding by HES for payment of social security, unemployment, or disability insurance or any other similar state, federal or local obligations. FTH agrees to indemnify and hold HES harmless from any and all such claims.

Confidentiality/Copyright

Copyright Compliance. FTH shall advise HES of any and all programs or materials used or recommended for use by FTH to achieve service goals that are subject to any copyright restrictions or requirements. In the event HES is found to be in violation of any copyright restrictions or requirements, or if HES is alleged to be in violation of any such copyright restrictions or requirements, FTH can hold HES harmful for any such actions or claims brought by the copyright claimant. Including, but not limited to, copyright claims relevant to the original work and intellectual property of FTH and/or its employees and representative agents. Confidentiality. FTH shall observe the policies and directives of HES to preserve the confidentiality of the District records and information, including student records and student record information, to the extent that FTH is permitted to access such records or information.


Non Assignment

Neither party may assign this Agreement, nor its rights and duties hereunder, nor any interest herein without prior written consent from the other.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire Contract between the Parties regarding its subject matter and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous understandings or agreements with respect to the Services.

Severability

If any provisions of the Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall not in any way be affected, impaired or prejudiced thereby.

Force Majeure

Neither Party hereto shall be liable to the other for any loss of business or any damages caused by an interruption of the Agreement where such interruption is due to war, rebellion or insurrection; an act of God; fire; government statute; order or regulation prohibiting the performance of this Contract; riots; strikes, labor stoppages, lockouts or labor disputes to the extent such occurrences are not caused by the actions of the Party seeking relief under this Section; or other causes beyond the reasonable and respective control of FTH or HES.

General Liability FTH will be solely and entirely responsible for acts and omissions in connection with the performance of services; and inclusive of all HES prior investments. FTH will defend and indemnify HES from any and all such claims and/or judgments resulting from such acts or omissions, except for liability for damages which result from the sole negligence or willful misconduct of HES or its employees or agents. FTH will also maintain indemnification and general liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000.00 throughout the duration of this services agreement.

Headings and Titles

Any Article or Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience of the Parties only and in no way alter, modify, amend, limit or restrict contractual obligations of the Parties.

Non-‐Waiver

Failure by either Party at any time to require performance by the other Party or to claim breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach nor affect the


validity and operation of the Agreement, not prejudice either Party with regard to any subsequent action to enforce the terms of the Agreement.

Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which constitute one and the same agreement.

No Third Party Beneficiary

Nothing in this Agreement shall be intended to confer third party beneficiary status or rights to any person or entity that is not a party to this Agreement.

Indemnification Consultant shall be solely and entirely responsible for his acts and omissions in connection with the performance of Services. Consultant shall defend and indemnify the District from any and all such claims and/or judgments resulting from such acts or omissions, except for liability for damages which result from the sole negligence or willful misconduct of the District or its employees or agents.

Written Notice

Any written notice of agreement termination, or other notice, invoice, report or other document authorized or required by this agreement shall be sent by mail, and notice shall be considered effective and received upon deposit with the U.S. Postal Service. Notice shall be sufficient if addressed to the parties as follows:

Harris Elementary School/Pulaski County Special School District: Pulaski County Special School District

Attn: Superintendent’s Office 925 East Dixon Road Little Rock, AR 72206

And/Or

From the Heart International Management Company: From the Heart International Management Company Attn: Dr. Walter Milton, Jr., Chief Executive Officer

1330 Churchill Road Springfield, IL 62702


Confirmation by Signature The parties hereto have read and understand the attached scope of work, explanation of services, work plan and timeline as the agreed upon educational and professional services to be performed. The parties hereto have read and understand their respective duties as set out in this agreement, and each of the parties individually hereby agrees to perform the duties set out for their organization. The parties have executed this agreement as indicated by the signatures or their duly authorized representatives. Harris Elementary School (School Official) Signature Title Dr. Darnell Bell Print Name Date From The Heart International Educational Services (Walter Milton, Jr., CEO)

, Chief Executive Officer Signature Title Dr. Walter Milton, Jr. August 20, 2012 Print Name Date

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