Action Research Plan

The context of my study will be the decline in scores on the STAAR test from previous year’s TAKS test by socio-economically deprived and ESL students.  I will conduct my research by gathering Unit Tests data, End of Course Exams and Content Based Assessment data from all my World Geography teachers with the purpose of seeing if all state mandates and TEKS were followed in preparation for the STAAR test in the spring of 2013.  All 9^th grade World Geography students at my school, whether they are in a regular classroom setting or taking World Geography from Credit Recovery for 2012-2013 will be my target population.   Of greater concern, and the rationale behind choosing my sample, is whether or not the lower socio-economically deprived and ESL students will perform minimally to the recognized expectations levels on the STAAR test.

The selection of my sample was pre-set by Mr. James Hill, my Principal.  The rationale used in our discussions when deciding on a sample lie in the fact that the World Geography socio-economically deprived and ESL students’ decline in STAAR scores as compared to the previous year’s TAKS scores.  We have programs and protocols in place to succeed on these tests, however, scores continue to decline.

We are experiencing a transition year in testing and realize how important building a solid foundation in World Geography Core Curriculum is for our campus through our Unit Tests, EOCs and CBAs in preparation for the STAAR test.

Importance of Action Research

Action Research is definately the key to being a successful leader in a school. Whether you are a teacher-leader or administrator-leader action research affords you the opportunity to better yourself as well as those who rely upon your leadership. I am amazed at the amount of materials available for one to research on just how-to-be- a more productive and successful leader. After viewing the videos from this weeks lesson I am energized to read more so that I may do more for my school as a teacher-leader and all those skills I am developing will help me be a more effective administrator.

Action Research Project

My action research project assigned by my mentor, Mr. Hill, this week will be addressing how to improve scores on the World Geography Unit Tests in preparation for the End of Course Exams and the uncoming STAAR test in the Spring. This action research will encompass the entire World Geography faculty and World Geography students. This type of collaborative action research project is essential in moving us forward to an academically advanced school.

I believe, as Mr. Hill does, that this type of in-depth action research is highly significant and important to raising student's scores, the school's AYP as well presenting an open forum for collaborative learning and teaching by all stakeholders.

We will be doing an in-depth analysis of student's scores, past and present in our World Geography Professional Learning Community weekly meeting. We will identify the questions/concepts not being mastered and readjust our teaching methodologies to ensure mastery. This type of action research and analysis presents a win-win situation for students, faculty and administrators and encourages all to be life- long learners. We actually finished our first Unit I test analysis 9-5-12 and readjusted the test to reach the 70% mark for higher order thinking skills level testing. I believe if we put the challenge out there for the students, give them the tools to be successful they will arise to the challenge and succeed at levels higher than they ever imagined. Win-win!

The second action research topic that was discussed with Mr. Hill this past week concerned the Dress Code Violations at school. The administration had an assembly the first day of school to address the Dress Code for the district and there was some booing. There is the real issue, disrespect for rules and authority and that is a an issue of culture for the school, not school culture. The teachers are now called into the office if a student gets by from class to class with a Dress Code Violation without being sent to the office. He, like I agree, the teachers are an administrative arm and they need to enforce the rules as well. He and I will see if teacher reprimands increase in the next few weeks or if students begin to abide by the Dress Code more readily. When instruction time is cut for the students because they are sitting in the office, then learning does not take place. It is a disruption for all concerned.

The third area we discussed was improving communications between the Special Ed Department and the teachers who have students with disabilities, whether they are mental, physical or emotional, in our classes. Case in point, Thursday night at Open House a parent walked up to me and blurted out, “why aren’t you abiding by my son’s IEP? There were seven other parents there as well. It is the end of the second week of school and I did not have an IEP on her son. She proceeds to pull out a note written by him with nine IEP requirements that I was not fulfilling. I simply stated that I did not have any paperwork on her son and apologized for it not being in my files. She proceeded to take up 5 minutes with her son’s complaints. After she calmed down I told her she could be rest assured that I would have his paperwork by 8 AM the next day. It took me almost 1.5 hours to track it down and even the principal assigned to the student had no paperwork. This has been an on-going issue at our school. No communication between the Special Ed Department and the teachers. So, we are working together, even though it is not my Action Research Project we agreed upon, to see why this is happening and to design a way communication can take place effectively and in a timely manner. My concern as a teacher is that I have spent two weeks not providing what this student needed to be successful. As a future administrator, this is unacceptable. Communication and collaboration are two keys to the success of a school and sets the culture and a climate for learning.

Importance of Action Research and Collaboration

I have found it quite interesting that the role of the principal has evolved into the place of being an educator again and not just adminstrator.  As a teacher of 18 years, I welcome this change.  I have always felt that administration was "removed" from the real issues that teachers experience in the classroom.  Teachers, until recently, have been isolated in their classrooms fumbling through the day without assistance or encouragement.  Now that administrators are held to accountability for test scores as well and the culture of their schools, I see education in America turning around and am hopeful of great things coming to fruition inside and outside the classroom.  I teach my students to be life-long learners and now that same gauntlet I have thrown down for myself. I will not be an administrator looking from the outside in. Action research is essential for administrators who strive for a better understanding on how to improve the culture and academic performance of their schools. I will be active in bettering my tools of the trade by pursuing higher levels of knowledge through action research that apply to my job. Part of this active research will include seeking collaborative efforts from my faculty, staff, and students.  This spiraling process of reflection and action will help me to zero in on what changes are needed and how to go about those changes.

I see educators using blogging as a collaborative effort to increase their knowledge about their jobs and for sharing their trials and tribulations as well as successes at their schools. It takes a community to teach a child.