EDLD 5301 in Review

Finally!  I have truly struggled every single week in this class, and I cannot pinpoint exactly why.  Maybe it has to do with my lack of focus, my impending return to work, or just the repetitive nature of the assignments.  But, I have learned a good bit, although mostly new terminology.  I've been doing action research for years in my classroom, as a campus employee, and as a district employee.  I never really knew it had a name and I was unaware of the process.  I can honestly say that if I have learned nothing else from this class, I learned how to lay out my plan for research.  I can definitely see the benefits of action research at the campus and district level.  Principals could make it a very productive tool for their schools.  In conclusion, I look forward to actually doing my research and working with the wonderful people on my campus to make the learning improvements that hopefully my research will help create.

Better Late, Than Never!

After reading comments and talking to my site supervisor, assistant superintendent/husband, and going to workshops I have decided that my ARP needs a few revisions.  I have made those revisions on my posted ARP in red.  I feel very optimistic about my ARP and after meeting our new remedial math teacher I think that we will get along and work well together.  I foresee many long hours, late nights, and early mornings in my future!  Happy researching!

Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: Will Middle School students (incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders) that previously failed the STAAR Math test be successful on the next STAAR if they take on-level and remedial math classes during the 2013-2014 school year?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Obtain a list of incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students that failed the STAAR Math test and acquire their scores.	Jaime Reddock Carrie Conley	August 5, 2013	Released STAAR scores,	Create a list of students that failed STAAR Math by grade level and rank them by STAAR score from lowest to highest.
Print out data for individual students from DMAC.	Jaime Reddock	August 19-23, 2013	DMAC	Organize a binder for research purposes that has a tab for each student.
Analyze data and pinpoint weak areas from DMAC for individual students.	Jaime Reddock Mr. Lindsey Ms. Choate	August 19-23, 2013	DMAC	Include DMAC information on individual students in research binder.
Create a spreadsheet with students’ names, grade level, and weaknesses in each reporting category and scores on STAAR.	Jaime Reddock	August 19-23, 2013	STAAR results, DMAC data, student class schedules, TEKS, STAAR blueprint	Create a spreadsheet for research binder and teachers to guide instruction in remedial and small group instruction.
Meet with on-level and remedial teachers and discuss students and data.	Jaime Reddock Mr. Lindsey Ms. Choate	September 2013	Textbooks, CScope YAG, CScope TEKS Verification Document	Make changes to spreadsheet if needed.
Help teachers create classes in Study Island.   Help teachers find resources for remedial classes that will support TEKS in on-level classes.	Jaime Reddock Mr. Lindsey Ms. Choate	September 2013	TEKS, Study Island software, Think Through Math, class schedules, Kamico, resources found on internet, iPad apps, Textbooks, CScope YAG, CScope TEKS Verification Document	Set up classes in Study Island and create individualized assignments for students based on STAAR reporting categories and TEKS weaknesses.
Meet with remedial and on-level teacher monthly to collect data and student grades from classes.	Jaime Reddock Mr. Lindsey Ms. Choate	September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014	Printed Study Island and Think Through Math reports, progress reports, report cards, work samples	Collect reports and grades.  Analyze growth and create graphs for individual student growth in each reporting category.
Administer STAAR Math assessment.	Jaime Reddock CJH teachers	April 2014	STAAR Math assessment	N/A
Analyze STAAR data and determine the benefits of remedial classes.	Jaime Reddock Mr. Lindsey Ms. Choate Carrie Conley	June 2014	STAAR Math scores	Analyze STAAR Math results and compare individual scores from the previous year.  Look for growth in reporting categories and STAAR scores.
Present findings to administration.	Jaime Reddock	July 2014	Research binder, STAAR results	Go over results from year-long remedial program.  Determine if the program was effective and reflect on changes that need to be made.

 

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Action Research and How To Use It

What I have learned about action research and how I could use it.

Action research is a specific type of research meant to be implemented into a school setting.  It is very different from traditional research because you are not simply gathering data, reading it, and regurgitating it in written form, it becomes a living, breathing document.  Although you do gather data and read it, action research goes beyond traditional research by pinpointing an educational issue, formulating strategies for improvement, implementing and evaluating the strategies, and clarification that results in new problems and areas for improvement (Dana, 2009, p. 5).  Action research is useful at all levels in a school district.  It can be used in central office settings to unify all departments to work toward a common goal.  It can be used with administrative teams to create “a culture of collaboration couples with educational reform, accountability, and improved standards” (Dana, 2009, p. 21).  And, in my opinion the most important, at the campus level.  With the principal as leader/facilitator/coach and the teachers involved, action research creates a collegiality and camaraderie.  The principal and teachers work together as a team and this creates buy-in for everyone involved.  When a group of teachers work together to bring about change climate and morale are built and the students benefit from this.

Educators Using Blogs

How can educational leaders use blogs?

Blogs are an excellent way for educational leaders to keep students, parents, and teachers updated about the happenings on their campus and/or district events.  Relevant information can be posted on the blog, which may be accessed at any time by those needing that information.  Blogs can be linked to school webpages for easy access.

Collaboration is another great way for blogs to be used in education.  Teachers, principals, and campus leaders can share a wealth of information on a blog.  In our fast-paced society today sometimes little time is taken to sit down and share information so that we might learn from others.  Sharing information through a blog allows users to contribute information as their schedule allows.