Collaborative Educational Network’s education sector clients include school districts, charter schools, and state education agencies. An overview of recent projects are provided below.

(*Projects completed in partnership with Evergreen Solutions, LLC are noted with an asterisk.)

Special Education

Florida Department of Education/Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services: Developed content for FLDOE’s Portal to Exceptional Education Resources (PEER), which tracks the implementation and documentation of special education procedures in accordance with federal and state law.

Broward County Public Schools (2018): Conducted a comprehensive review of the educational services provided by the school district to the student responsible for the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, with a final report of findings and recommendations.

Green Apple School Management (Melbourne, Florida): Provided technical assistance and support to this founder of three “green” and healthy charter schools spanning grades K-12. Focused on enhancing current special education policies, procedures, and practices and facilitating positive relationships with the local school district.

Ivy Hawn Charter School of the Arts (Volusia County): Provided technical assistance and support related to the provision of special education services, compliance with IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and general education interventions for students at this K-8 charter school.

New Hampshire State Department of Education/Evergreen Solutions*: Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the special education and student support program for School Administrative Unit 29 based. Scope of work included analysis and review of staffing and organization, professional development, delivery of services models, and student outcomes, with a final report of detailed findings and recommendations.

Polk County Public Schools: Developed and delivered mandated training to 8,000 district- and school-based staff regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools/Evergreen Solutions*: Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the division’s exceptional student education program. VBPS is the fourth largest school system in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 86 schools serving over 68,000 students. Evaluation included analysis of quality and effectiveness of special education pedagogy and the provision of FAPE, as they influenced outcomes for students with disabilities.

Orange County Public Schools/Evergreen Solutions*: Evaluated Orange County Public School’s exceptional student education (ESE) program, with a focus on support inclusion and secondary transition services. Results were integrated into the district’s strategic plan,  establishing goals and developing an action plan to ensure quality education for students with disabilities.

Broward County Public Schools/Evergreen Solutions*: Evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of Broward County Public School’s Office of Exceptional Student Education and Support Services. The evaluation addressed all aspects of the district’s special education program. The final report included detailed findings and recommendations for program improvement, which were incorporated into the district’s continuous improvement plan.

Orange County Public Schools: Provided technical assistance and support related to selected SPP/APR  data indicators, which resulted in revision of several district ESE procedures and the development of manuals for Developing IEPs, EPs, and SPs in PEER and Referral and Evaluation within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. In a addition to procedural compliance, the manuals provide guidance that assists school-based teams in ensuring meaningful and substantive compliance with the intent of federal, state, and local requirements and policies.

Presentations/Trainings on Compliance with Federal & State Regulations: 

  • Florida Institute for Small and Rural Districts,
  • Florida Professional Association of Staffing Specialists, and
  • USF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.

Charter Schools

Application development and submission process, with continuing technical assistance and support through grant writing and other implementation activities:

  • Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (Hillsborough County): 9-12 school; a transformative education model that integrates 21st-century knowledge and skills, personalized and innovative instruction, school/community partnerships, and a focus on social responsibility and leadership.
  • Kitson & Partners – Babcock Neighborhood School & Babcock Ranch High School (Charlotte County): K-8 and 9-12, respectively, featuring a greenSTEAM program supporting the Babcock Ranch development’s environmental sustainability mission.
  • True North Classical Academy; True North Classical Academy South; True North Classical Academy High School (Rep. Michael Bileca/Miami-Dade County): Two K-8 schools and one high school; classical liberal arts education model. Completed 3 applications in a 2 year timespan.
  • The Collaboratory (Hillsborough County): K-8 high-performing charter school replication based on Dayspring Academy for Education and the Arts (Pasco County); STEAM program for high-need students.
  • Pineapple Cove Classical Academy (Brevard County): K-8 school; Classical liberal arts education model
  • KIPP – Knowledge is Power Program (Miami-Dade County): K-8 Direct Instruction model; first district charter collaborative school.
  • Ormond Beach Preparatory Academy (Volusia County):K-5 school; Montessori Method.
  • Legacy Academy of Osceola; Heritage Academy of Osceola (Osceola County): K-8 program based on a classical liberal arts model, including Core Knowledge Curriculum Sequence, Singapore Math, and Stephen Covey’s Leader in Me program.
  • Florida East Coast Charter School (Volusia County): K-5 project-based program focused on science and mathematics, promoting physical, social, and emotional health and well-being while cultivating positive character and citizenship.

ASPIRE Academy (Orange County, Florida): Provided assistance with charter renewal process and facilitated communication with district.

Rowlett Academy (Manatee County, Florida): Assisted school in analysis of special education funding and service delivery. Facilitated communication with district.

University Preparatory Academy (Pinellas County, Florida): Conducted a comprehensive review of ESE procedures and practices to aid in effective program implementation.

World Communications Charter School (Philadelphia): Conducted an executive search for Principal and Assistant Principal and facilitated strategic planning to support school improvement and restructuring.

Florida Department of Education, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice: Conducted a gap analysis regarding Florida’s charter schools’ capacity to implement the requirements of the State’s RTTT grant and Senate Bill 736. Developed a final report of recommended actions that informed decisions regarding specific projects and technical assistance FLDOE offered to support charter schools.

Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB)/Evergreen Solutions*: Conducted the first Charter School Performance Review implemented under the Texas LBB mandate to evaluate the performance of public school districts. Provided findings, recommendations, and fiscal implications all areas of school operations, including governance, organization, and management; educational service delivery; student performance; facilities; and finances.

Other

Florida Department of Education/Evergreen Solutions*: Conducted a three-year evaluation of Florida’s RTTT grant, focusing on Assurance Area D, Great Teachers and Leaders. Assurance Area D’s budget of $199 million reflects more than 28 percent of the total $700 million federal grant and comprises 25 state-level and 4 district-level projects. Initiatives encompassed under this Area include value-added models (VAMs) for measuring student performance; performance-based teacher and principal evaluations; evaluating professional development; using performance-based measures in human capital decisions; increasing the rigor of educator certification examinations; and increasing the number of effective and highly effective educators within the state while ensuring their equitable distribution (e.g., representation in high poverty/high minority schools).