Office of Superintendent of Schools

Board of Education Meeting of August 26, 2010

Office of the Major Projects

Julie Baker, Chief Officer of Major Projects

SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF $1.5 MILLION BY HISD FOUNDATION FOR

STUDENT AND PARENT INCENTIVES FROM PRIVATE
FOUNDATION

A private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the HISD Foundation exists to secure

and manage private contributions that support HISD’s highest priority projects and
goals set by the superintendent of schools and the board of education. The HISD
Foundation works with its nonprofit board of directors, and other key internal and
external leaders, to raise major gifts ($50,000+) from individuals, foundations and
corporations, on behalf of HISD priority projects/programs. The HISD Foundation
also secures and manages other levels private support for various HISD programs
and projects.

The Board of Education is asked to accept the following donation:

A gift in the amount of $1,500,000 from Texas-based Liemandt Foundation will be

made to the HISD Foundation on behalf of HISD in support of an incentive program
for fifth grade students and their parents in 20 non Apollo schools. The incentive
plan will center on students mastering 200 5th grade math objectives aligned to the
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. There will be an incentive plan for parents to
help students complete this work and attend teacher conferences. This research
project is in partnership with Education Innovation Laboratory (EdLabs) at Harvard
University and Dr. Roland Fryer. The EdLabs team will conduct research around the
relationship between student and parent incentives and student academic gains.

COST/FUNDING SOURCE(S): The cost for this program is $1,500,000 and

will be funded by the Liemandt Foundation.
SR1-61-6299-XXX-99-Z06-Z06

STAFFING IMPLICATIONS: None

ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS/IMPACT: This agenda item supports HISD Goal 1:

Increase Student Achievement

THIS ITEM DOES NOT REQUIRE CONSULTATION.

THIS ITEM DOES NOT ESTABLISH, MODIFY, OR DELETE BOARD POLICY.

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RECOMMENDED: That the Board of Education accept $1.5 million from HISD
Foundation for Student and Parent Incentives from Private
Foundation, effective August 27, 2010.

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