Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Week 5 Discussion

I gained a world of knowledge through this course and can now see the reasoning behind many of my administration's actions. A particular topic of interest for me was the information obtained last week on sustaining improvement. The models provided in the text are familiar to me because they are practiced with my current administration team. Having had the personal experience made the information more comprehensible.

An area which I would like to improve on through practice is Step 3: Developing a Deeper Understanding. Being a part of or having "hands-on" experience with the various strategies described in the text will enable me to become a stronger researcher and leader. As stated in the text,"deeper understanding allows you to understand why instead of just what" (Harris,Edmonson,Combs,2010,p.45).

Monday, December 6, 2010

Action Research-DRAFT

GOAL: The goal of my research is to distinguish a relationship between a small group setting and student attendance/performance.

 OUTCOMES

 ACTIVITIES


RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED

RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES

 TIME LINE

 Benchmarks/
ASSESSMENT

 Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Find out whether there is a correlation between a small group setting and student attendance & academic performance.


Gather student (ELL,10th) names for target group (current & 09-10)
Counselor records

*Site Supervisor
*Intern
Current – January 2011


Evaluate current target group class performance (ongoing)
Student report cards

*Site Supervisor
*Intern
Current – June 2011
Six weeks period comparisons
























                      
Evaluate  current target group’s attendance (ongoing)   
Student           attendance records

*Site                   Supervisor
*Intern
Current      – June 2011
Six weeks               period comparisons
                          
Evaluate current target group’s performance on the TAKS
Spring 2011 results
*Site Supervisor
*Intern
May –June 2011
2011 TAKS

Compare last year’s target group’s performance to current performance
Spring 2010-2011 TAKS results
*Site Supervisor
*Intern
May –June 2011
2010 TAKS

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Action Research Brief Summary

Setting: High School

Target Population: current & last year's 10th grade ELL "cohort" students - These student count for Adequate Yearly Progress under the 10th grade level and sub population as ELLs.

I selected this sample because the performance given by these students can be detrimental or beneficial for the campus because they fall under two performance indicators. A cpmparison of last year's 10th grade cohort ELLs and their current performance will be assessed.

Rationale: My sample size is based on the number of students that are in the 10th grade,ELL and in a "cohort" class. (COHORT- These students are taught in a small group setting of approx 10-1 and have a common Math,Math supplemental,ELA,Reading teacher).

My research will be carried out by, but not limited to, data analysis (attendance records,report cards,TAKS results), student conferences, teacher/counselor conferences, observations.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Week 2 Findings

              One vital lesson I learned this week is that you don't have to reinvent the wheel. This cliche is often heard and I know it's been repeated in my presence countless times. However, for some reason after hearing it one more time this week , I internalized and acted on this recommendation.
              I also learned and gained ideas/knowledge from the nine common action research topics addressed in the Dana text.

Friday, November 26, 2010

3 Possible Action Research Topics

I haven't decided which one of these to pursue. All three are of interest so I know that I'll be engaged and passionate about whichever one I select.

1
. Topic: Student mentor program
Purpose:
An evaluation of this program's effect on student performance(attendance,class, formal assessments,tutoring) will be conducted.
Significance: This research will benefit students, teachers, administion, and the mentors. Effectiveness will be noted and improvements conducted as necessary.


2. Topic:Supplemental literacy programs (Compass Lab and/or Reading Renaissance) on student performance(target pop.- 10th grade ELL).
Purpose:
Both programs' influence on students' literacy will be evaluated. Both programs are in their second year of implementation at our campus.
Significance: This research will benefit the following stakeholders: Students, Program facilitators, administration, teachers, District supervisors and directors

3. What is the effect of the new tardy system on student promptness/maximizing class instruction, and does it provide a deterring effect?
Purpose:
The program's effectiveness in increasing student promptness,meximizing learning time, and deterring students from repetitive infractions will be assessed.
Significance: This evaluation will benefit the following: Administration, teachers, students, parents

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Blogs among Educational Leaders

Educational leaders can utilize blogs as a means of communication, interaction, and support for a professional learning community. Blogs allow for a more personal and non-threatening manner of communication. This is beneficial in promoting unity among educational leaders. The text states, principals are often “isolated”(Dana,2009) due to the nature of the job. Just as action research promotes personal engagement, blogs foster interaction as well. This interaction then lends itself to building a network of support for a community of individuals who have similar interests, experiences, and dilemmas.

Learning Reflection

This week has again proven to be knowledge-filled. I had heard the terms “action research”, but never ventured into the meaning. Ironically, after my readings this week, I realized that I’ve been living and participating in action research at my campus over the past two years.
 The campus’ main mission over the past two years has been to deliberately increase student learning via a thorough inspection of a targeted group of students’ data. This data has then been taken into consideration for class scheduling, and providing instructional, and empathetic support. In my readings this week there is reference made to a set of four components of action research that are continuously spiraling. These are: indicating a situation that needs to be improved or resolved, creating remedies for the situation, implementing and evaluating outcomes, and clarifying the circumstance which results in new definitions of areas for improvement. The process then repeats. This is the continuous spiral.
The information I learned regarding action research this week can be utilized in my classroom. I feel that I’ve used it, but have not fully followed through with the process. Now that I know more about it, I will be more deliberate in all four phases of action research. By making it a regular drive for my teaching, student learning and performance is sure to increase.