Action Research Update

 

Action Research Project Title: Increasing Student Literacy and Meeting AYP

Blog URL: http://hwtactionresearchadventure.blogspot.com/

Number of AR Project Documented Hours:  20

AR Project Summary (at least 250 words):

 

I have analyzed the 2011-2012 Stanford Reading Data for my campus to identify trends and students’ strengths and weaknesses. Initially it was believed that on the Hispanic population of our campus struggled in the area of Reading, which caused us to not meet AYP.  However, upon further review I found that the African American population struggled with the Reading as well however, there was not enough student’s in this population to affect AYP ratings.  After analyzing the data I compiled a spreadsheet that charted my findings.  This chart is currently being used to help me develop an intervention plan that can be implemented during the upcoming school year since we are well into testing season. I also met with the teachers from 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade to discuss their concerns when it comes to literacy and suggestions for an intervention plan. These teachers also provided me with a multitude of best practices that they have been using in their classrooms.  These best practices will be considered when developing the intervention plan.   After an intervention plan is developed, I will be sitting down with our campus administrators to discuss the plan and decide if it is in fact feasible.  I would like to discuss the resources needed to implement this project and plan, such as staffing and instructional resources.  I have currently logged approximately 20 hours while implementing this project. 

Updated Action Research Plan

Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template

Goal:

Ensure that at least 60% of all students in grades 1-5 are reading at grade level by May 2013, as well as increase the number of students reading at or above the 50th percentile on Stanford Reading by May 2013. 

Action Step(s)	Person (s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resource	Evaluation
1. Examine Stanford 10 data from 2011-2012.  Identify strengths and weaknesses from data.	Intern Lead Reading Teachers	12/2013	Stanford 10 data from 2011-2012 for all 3rd-5th grade students.	Data spreadsheet and graph will be used to determine strengths and weaknesses
2. Develop a plan to improve reading instruction based on data,	Intern Lead Reading Teachers Administration	1/2013	Data Analysis from previous activity	Literacy Improvement Plan based on data analysis
3. Inform teachers of reading plan and provide professional development. Implement Delphi method to receive teacher feedback	Administration	1/2013-2/2013	Reading Improvement Plan Professional Development Opportunities for teachers.	Request feedback from teachers about plan using a questionnaire.
4. Implement reading plan	Administration, faculty, staff	2 / 2013 - 5 / 2013	Literacy Resources identified in plan.  Additional professional development opportunities.	Monthly common assessments to identify if plan is effective.
5.  Share findings	Holly Williams	6 / 2013	PowerPoint to present findings; hard copy	Feedback from faculty and staff.

Week 3 Action Research Template

Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template

Goal:

Increase literacy and number of students passing Stanford 10 and STAAR Reading. 

Action Step(s)	Person (s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resource	Evaluation
1. Examine Stanford 10 data from 2011-2012.  Identify strengths and weaknesses from data.	Intern Lead Reading Teachers	1/2013 – 3/2013	Stanford 10 data from 2011-2012 for all 3rd-5th grade students.	Data spreadsheet and graph will be used to determine strengths and weaknesses
2. Develop a plan to improve reading instruction based on data,	Intern Lead Reading Teachers Administration	3/2013	Data Analysis from previous activity	Literacy Improvement Plan based on data analysis
3. Inform teachers of reading plan and provide professional development.	Administration	5/2013 – 8/2013	Reading Improvement Plan Professional Development Opportunities for teachers.	Request feedback from teachers about plan using a questionnaire.
4. Implement reading plan	Administration, faculty, staff	8/2013 – 12/2013	Literacy Resources identified in plan.  Additional professional development opportunities.	Monthly common assessments to identify if plan is effective.
5.  Share findings	Holly Williams	12/2013	PowerPoint to present findings; hard copy	Feedback from faculty and staff.

Principals as Bloggers???

Many blogs that we read today are created by crafty moms, gossip columnists, and even teachers.  While many of these people create the blogs we may read daily, principals as bloggers sounds like a good idea in that it allows them to communicate openly with other principals, teachers, and parents. Principals can use blogs as a means of sharing common frustrations (without breaching confidentiality). They can also use a blog to share the work of the leadership team, teachers, and even students.  Blogs for administrators can be used as a means of sharing ideas and gaining new ideas to be used on their campus.

All About Action Research

After this weeks reading of Leading with passion and knowledge:  The Principal as Action Research. I was able to develop a better understanding of exactly what action research is and how it can be used at my current campus.  I learned that action research is an ongoing process that requires the administrator to identify a practice they would like to change and take steps toward making a changed based on the gathering and analysis of data about the practice identified.  Action research consists of the researcher constantly reflecting on the data and taking action towards a change. It requires the researcher to carefully analyze current practices, how these practices are benefitting or not benefiting the school, and how to go about changing these practices if necessary.  Action research could be used on my current campus as a means of helping many problems that the administrator faces such as increasing parental involvement, identifying relevant professional development opportunities for teachers, and/or increasing student literacy in an effort to increase reading scores on state tests.  I would use action research to study how to increase student literacy on our campus among all subgroups especially the Hispanic population. This is an area of study and concern at our campus as it was identified that we did not meet the needs of our Hispanic students in the area of reading, resulting in not meeting AYP.  I am interested to see how action research could aid in identifying current practices of the administrators/leaders and how we can change this practice.