Research Update:

After finally getting the grade level teachers to come to a consensus, we are finally ready to move forward!! Today I held a committee meeting where we shared beginning of the year data and plans for the coming steps.

Each representative came to the table with great ideas to share, and they were even ready to proceed faster than scheduled with the tutoring!

It was a very positive step in the process! We are looking to be up and going in the next 2 weeks!

Research Update

GOAL: To increase the success of at risk learners by targeting those students that have between a 50 and 75% chance of meeting standard on this year’s state test.

Action Step	Person Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1.       Create a small advocacy committee	Action researcher. School administration	August 29-September 3	None	-Staff attendance -Project consensus
2.       Using data, divide students into groups based on learning needs	Committee representatives, Classroom advocacy Teachers, Action Researcher	September 6-16	Previous year’s TAKS data	Organized student advocacy Schedules based on Tutoring need Teachers ready to begin Tutoring by October 1st
3.       Analyze student need based on objective and provide each teacher with a detailed list of student objective need	Committee representatives, Classroom advocacy Teachers, Action Researcher	October 1- end of school year	Previous year’s TAKS data, district benchmarks, formative assessments	Benchmarks throughout the  year to determine effectiveness with a final assessment in April 2012 on state test STAAR.
4.       Provide during the day tutoring based on objective need of student	Committee representatives, Classroom advocacy Teachers, Action Researcher	October1 – end of the school year	Previous year’s TAKS data, district benchmarks, formative assessments	Benchmarks throughout the year to determine effectiveness with a final assessment in April 2012 on state test STAAR.

Action Research: the First Pitfall....

We had our first meeting at the grade level to begin dividing the students by need. I was really shocked to find that despite the intial meeting they were all invited to try attempt to find a consensus, all of which they didnt attend, they are VERY resistant to the tutoring project.

I just dont understand, we were told from last year that this time during the day would be left for tutoring, my project just makes it more organized and fitted to the student. But the general message I got from today's meeting is "we dont want to do this." They dont want to do this, not because they dont think it will be helpful, not because they dont think having a set tutoring schedule and an idea of what to focus on would work, but simply because they would rather do NOTHING with the kids that they have, than have to change out students and teach during this time (even if the lessons are provided for them).

I truly believe this project will work! This will reach students that have NEVER stayed afterschool for tutoring, it will give each of us an idea of EXACTLY what we need to work on and with who, and it will help organize a period that was traditionally used for nothing but paperwork and crowd control.

How do you bring those against you on board? Against you not because they dont agree, but simply because they are lazy and resistant to working with different students. Once the project is rolled out, how can I be sure that they are actually using the matieral and tutoring?

Any advise would be greatly welcomed!!

Action Research Plan: the Beginning!

Examining the work: Setting the Foundation – The need is to improve student’s performance in the classroom and on Standardized Assessments.

Analyzing data –We will gain information by evaluating their Standardized tests results and district set benchmarks throughout the school year leading up to STAAR.

Developing deeper understanding – We will interview teachers about informal observations they have made about the students.  We will evaluate the effectiveness of the advocacy tutoring throughout the year through focus groups at the grade level and the action research committee level.

Engaging in Self-Reflection – As a future leader, I will be able to put into practice my beliefs that every child, even the ones deemed at-risk, can learn if they are reached effectively.

Exploring Programmatic Patterns – Students may require restructuring of the learning groups should they fall behind or develop needs different from the group they are currently in based on data. Straight math, straight reading, as well as mixed tutoring schedules will be available to better suit student needs. Groups will be created in a nonbiased way based purely on data.  

Determining direction – I will work with advocacy tutoring group to monitor and evaluate the progress of the students.  I will document the gains and relay that data to the advocacy teachers and campus administrators.

Taking action for school improvement – The research data will be available to all teachers and committee members through emails, meetings and bulletins.

Sustaining improvement – We will continue to update student groups as new data becomes available. Long-term goals would have this program become a regular part of our school. Trainings in data use would have teachers run their own classroom based tutoring based on student need, thus improving school performance in all levels and subjects.

Action Research takes TIME!!!

Finally reached a decision on which project to make my action research project! I have decided to use the following:

Will creating a school tutoring program during the day designed to target at risk learner increase scores? I am already hard at work designing this program that uses student data to focus on students that have a 50 to 75% chance of meeting standard on this year’s state testing. These students will be rearranged into groups based on their needed objectives in math and reading.

As I dive into my research project, I am being faced with a large challenge....patience!!!  In order for this project to truly work I must have a concensus from the other teachers. Sadly, as much as I want this project to start yesterday, it takes time to get all these people on board and organized. I set a deadline for meeting as grade level for the end of this week.....and LIFE happened!!! A staff meeting this day....a baby shower another day....and here we are....Thursday night, and no one has met. So, I once again attempted to reestablish a timeline. My hopes are that these meetings will take place no later than next week....despite there being a holiday on Monday. After these teams meet, I can once again host a meeting and hopefully get this project moving!!

Hopefully, updates from the team meetings to follow...SOON!!