Action Reseach Plan

Action Research Plan

Brenda Brinkman EDLD 5301 Research

Setting the Foundation:

To improve our learning gaps with our non-LEP Hispanic economically disadvantage students. Since my research is showing that, our Hispanic economically disadvantage students seem to be most at risk. My targeted population is our non-LEP Hispanic economically disadvantage students they account for 30% of our fourth grade population, which is 22 students.  I would like to start this after Christmas and continue until June.  I want to find out how our non-LEP Hispanic economically disadvantage students can pass the state assessment in third grade, but failed it in fourth grade.  What changes need to happen?  Can we pinpoint the students in need?  Do we have enough time to make a change? 

Analyzing Data:

I have looked at our AYP data, the past three years state assessment scores in third and fourth grade, ISIP data, reading levels, and I’ve pulled all the RTI paperwork.   This has led to more questions, for example: Has fourth grade being departmentalized caused the state assessment scores to fall by 8%?  Is it the higher level of questioning on the assessments?

Activities/ Deeper Understanding:

To get qualitative data, I interviewed our specialty teachers who work with every grade level and some fourth grade teaches. I’ve interviewed our Dyslexia teacher, reading specialist, and our ESL teacher and ask them what they thought is causing our drop in scores.  One teacher thought it was a lack of detailed instruction; another thought it’s because our ESL students are often quiet teacher pleasers so the teachers are unaware that they don’t understand.  The last teacher thought it was because of the grade level being departmentalized.  I’m also going to ask the question to our fourth grade teachers about targeted group.  I will continue to look at data for patterns and research articles in the Regional Educational Laboratories and other educational resources.  I will offer tutoring for students, training for parents, and training teachers on how to help struggling non-LEP Hispanic economically disadvantage students.  I’m going to try and get our Reading Recovery trained teachers to offer training for teachers on how to implement small-group reading instruction.  Try to have reading recovery-trained teachers to perform intervention or tutoring for the target students.  

Engaging in self-reflection:

Will I be able to find a clear pattern? Will I be able to discuss my findings without offending others?  Can I really implement my plan?  Can I get teachers who are already overwhelmed to listen to new ideas?

Exploring Programmatic Pattern:

After looking at more data, I saw a pattern with our non-LEP Hispanic economically disadvantage female students.  Which was interesting because AYP’s data shows that our problem lies with our economically disadvantage students and not so much our Hispanic students. What I am seeing, is that some of our Hispanic females passed with scores in the 80’s on the state assessment in third grade, but fail it in fourth grade.   

Determining Factors:

The action research project will end in June 2012.   I would like to continue to monitor STARR data for the next school year to make sure no other pattern arises.  I will monitor our achievement of the goals and objectives through monthly meetings, and looking over current data that is available.  I will continue to look for patterns in data and make changes as needed.  I will evaluate the progress of the identified students by having monthly meetings discussing goals; analyzing running records, and ISIP data, Texas Treasures assessments, and the STARR test data to track progress of students.    

Taking Action For School Improvement:

  We will participate in tutoring for the targeted group of students by providing small reading group instruction. Training will be offered to fourth-grade teachers on how to implement small reading group instruction.  Training will be offered to parents on how to help their students at home. I will be responsible for implementing the action research plan along with our reading specialist, ESL teachers, and fourth-grade teachers and some reading recovery trained teachers. 

Sustaining Improvement:  

To sustain improvement we must reflect often. What is working and what isn’t?  Make changes as needed based on our reflections. Continue to look at test data and qualitative data to help drive instruction. Look for new patterns and catch them before they get out of control.   

Purpose of Action Research Project

The purpose of my action research project is to learn why our students are struggling in reading and how to improve the teaching at our campus so the students will be successful, and we can meet AYP next year.  I might try and set up a vertical alignment team, reading specialist, and are ESL teacher to help objectively look at the data.  Three years ago our bond didn't pass or our district cut reading recovery, which I think is part of why we are seeing an issue with reading now.  We still have 5 reading recovery certified teachers on our campus as classroom teachers and I am one of them, I do reading recovery type lessons during my guided reading with my students and 4 of our 504 students from other classes during intervention time. I'm the only one trained in my grade level.  The other teachers are in first grade, 1 in kindergarten plus our reading specialist. How could we use these teacher to help the upper level grades? 
My research will help everyone on my campus.  If I can find a pattern in our data and research ideas of what other campuses have done to improve there reading scores.  I feel that I will be able to offer some valid ideas on how to improve our AYP reading scores.            

My learnings about Action Reasearch

After reading "Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principals as Action Researchers, by Nancy Fichtman Dana and forewords by Michael Fullan" I have realized how important it is for a principal to actively participate in the process of action research.  I thought that you would start by looking at data and make a plan of improvement, and that would be it.  I found it interesting that you need to start with a clear and concise question and how important the wording of the question is. Then you acquire the data and analyze it to help you answer your question, so you can make improvements and share your findings with others.  My campus has a rating of "Recognized"  this year, but we didn't meet "AYP."  I want to use action research to help my campus make needed improvements. I think my questions will be "What sub-group performed below the standard and in what area? Then  what do you already have in place to help these students and do we have any data to show it's working?"  I want to set up a committee and reflect on the data and make a plan of improvement. I would like to work with a committee because we all bring different ideas and experiences to the table. After reading about action research I feel like I'm ready to get started, it seems I have been giving the structure I need to get started.

An educational leader could use a blog to share his or her ideas with the other principals, faculty, committee, and parents. A blog is like a diary or a journal and others can respond to your post and maybe offer some additional insight or another point of view. I think that this would be a great way for principals to support other principals. They could share ideas and concerns about issues that have on their campuses and offer solutions.  I also think a school blog for the teachers, and principal would be beneficial, sometimes the principal will make a decision that no one on campus understands, but if we could have been reading a blog and saw the reflection and thought that went into making the decision and could offer our input. I feel that the staff would respect it better.  The school PTA could even have a blog with upcoming events and ask others for input on ideas for future fundraisers and carnival ideas.