I have tried numerous time to get this to save in a table format to no avail. So I have done what I can to put the information where you can determine my plan.
Goal: The goal of this project is to determine if there has been significant growth in our fifth grade students from kindergarten-fifth grade and to devise a plan to increase the number of students receiving a commended score on the TAKS assessment
Nancy Hough, Principal, Assistant Principal
Aug. 2010-May 2011
I will gather and analyze various test data.
The resources I need will be: AEIS data from 2008-2011 for our current fifth grade students. Reading Inventories from 2005-2011 for the same students.
Benchmark Assessment Data from 2007-2011 for the same students.
I will evaluate by charting the results and analyzing what the data shows on all three assessment.
Nancy Hough, Classroom Teachers
Aug. 2010-May 2011
I will gather student work sample each nine weeks which will consist of work done in their reading and math journals.
The resources I will need will be the fifth grade students math and reading journals.
The evaluation will be a rubric designed to evaluate depth and complexity, content, critical thinking, and summarization of the responses over the course of the year.
Nancy Hough, Principal
Oct. 2010-April 2011
I will conduct classroom observations and take notes on student behaviors.
Resources needed will be a journal for documenting observations and taking notes. Also I will need teachers' schedules to set up times to observe in the classroom.
The evaluation will be a reflection of what was observed and noted. Specifically will be student behaviors, on task, or student actions if not on task or work completed.
Nancy Hough
Jan. 2011-May 2011
I will interview teachers and conduct a student survey/interview on their perceptions/satisfaction with curriculum in reading and math as well as inclusion.
The resources needed will be the interview and survey questions.
I am unsure at this time how this will be evaluated but I will be looking for responses that reflect student involvement in the classroom and how the educational experience is perceived.
Nancy Hough
Aug. 2010-May 2011
I will conduct a literature review.
The resources I will need will be Internet Sites, Journals, and NCLB Report Cards.
The evaluation will be summaries of research findings with a list of sources.
Nancy Hough
Aug. 2010-May 2011
I will participate in my own journaling throughout this research project and share my journaling thoughts and research findings with my principal, assistant principal, and staff.
The resources needed will be a journal and research information.
The evaluation will be personal with me reflecting on what I have written over the school year. My peers will also evaluate my findings.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Insights from interviews
I found these interviews interesting in several ways. One is that Dr. Briseno , Dr. Chargois, and Dr. Lewis mentioned the importance of data. All three noted that when you are deciding on a research topic it should be something that is going to produce results that will be beneficial for your situation. In other words, don’t do something just to do something. Make it meaningful and purposeful for you and/or your situation. This had a huge impact on me because so much of what has been done in the past with courses I have had to do research in has not necessarily been of importance to me.
Another topic that interested me was having staff share what they know and what they have learned with others. This is an important concept to me and one that I agree with. I know personally, I tend to listen with much more interest when it is a colleague that has been through an experience than I am when I am told from an administrator who hasn’t been in the classroom environment for several years.
All three also stressed the importance of looking at what you are doing and what impact it will have on student achievement. This let me know that whatever you are looking into, the bottom line is the impact on the students. There may need to be changes made in curriculum or instruction but those changes should not be made without determining what the impact will be on student achievement.
A final area I found interesting was using action research as professional development. Dr. Lewis noted that you have to teach teachers how to disaggregate data and how to take what they learn from that data and make it useful in the classroom. I can honestly say I have never been in any professional development where this was done. I have learned to disaggregate data on my own and through all the courses I have taken for this degree.
What I know is when I move into an administrative position; I need to remember what I learned from these gentlemen. I need to train my staff to understand the data and empower my staff to be active action researchers.
Briseno, J., Chargois, T., & Lewis, K. Interviews on action research [ Video from week two EDLD 5301].
Another topic that interested me was having staff share what they know and what they have learned with others. This is an important concept to me and one that I agree with. I know personally, I tend to listen with much more interest when it is a colleague that has been through an experience than I am when I am told from an administrator who hasn’t been in the classroom environment for several years.
All three also stressed the importance of looking at what you are doing and what impact it will have on student achievement. This let me know that whatever you are looking into, the bottom line is the impact on the students. There may need to be changes made in curriculum or instruction but those changes should not be made without determining what the impact will be on student achievement.
A final area I found interesting was using action research as professional development. Dr. Lewis noted that you have to teach teachers how to disaggregate data and how to take what they learn from that data and make it useful in the classroom. I can honestly say I have never been in any professional development where this was done. I have learned to disaggregate data on my own and through all the courses I have taken for this degree.
What I know is when I move into an administrative position; I need to remember what I learned from these gentlemen. I need to train my staff to understand the data and empower my staff to be active action researchers.
Briseno, J., Chargois, T., & Lewis, K. Interviews on action research [ Video from week two EDLD 5301].
Monday, July 12, 2010
Action Research
I have learned that action research is certainly more fun than what we consider traditional research. In action research you are able to research something that is of interest to you and that you question. Because you relate the research to what you are doing in education, it becomes a valuable tool for finding effective solutions to problems which may be occurring. This can relate to what and how you are teaching, curriculum issues, meeting students’ needs, refining classroom instruction to better meet the campus vision, or anything that you may be questioning.
As an administrator you can empower your staff to become action researchers by being a role model. You can use this type of research for almost anything you may have concerns about or question. This type of research encourages collaboration between colleagues and opens up the door for effective communication. We learn from others and what better way to learn than to learn from colleagues who are in the trenches doing the same thing you are. In traditional research very often you are researching what others have done and they are usually far removed from the educational setting if they were ever there in the first place.
I am actually looking forward to utilizing this process. I can say when I knew we were going to have to do a research course I was dreading it. Having already completed one master’s, I knew or should I say I thought I knew what was going to occur. Action research from what I have read so far is truly the way research should be done.
Blogs:
As a campus leader blogs can be used in many ways. Blogs can be used for a type of journaling or online diary as Dana (2009) suggests. Blogs can be used for reflecting on research you are doing or on how a situation was handled. When using blogs you can create them so they are interactive and can receive comments from others. Blogging can also be use to gather data and over time you can follow your train of thoughts as you progress through a task. Blogs can also be used in an educational setting to promote and model writing. Overall blogs can be very useful in the classroom and in administration.
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 87-89.
As an administrator you can empower your staff to become action researchers by being a role model. You can use this type of research for almost anything you may have concerns about or question. This type of research encourages collaboration between colleagues and opens up the door for effective communication. We learn from others and what better way to learn than to learn from colleagues who are in the trenches doing the same thing you are. In traditional research very often you are researching what others have done and they are usually far removed from the educational setting if they were ever there in the first place.
I am actually looking forward to utilizing this process. I can say when I knew we were going to have to do a research course I was dreading it. Having already completed one master’s, I knew or should I say I thought I knew what was going to occur. Action research from what I have read so far is truly the way research should be done.
Blogs:
As a campus leader blogs can be used in many ways. Blogs can be used for a type of journaling or online diary as Dana (2009) suggests. Blogs can be used for reflecting on research you are doing or on how a situation was handled. When using blogs you can create them so they are interactive and can receive comments from others. Blogging can also be use to gather data and over time you can follow your train of thoughts as you progress through a task. Blogs can also be used in an educational setting to promote and model writing. Overall blogs can be very useful in the classroom and in administration.
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 87-89.
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