This week as brought out the old adage of the devil is in
the details….when setting up an Action Research Project if you ignore the small
details your whole project can suffer down the road. While drafting my plan one thing that really
stood out to me was the need to be very careful to check for biases. This is something that I believe we can get
easily interfere with our research if we are not careful. I believe everyone has their own way of
thinking, and likes to do things the way they feel is best, and data can be
used to support that. We must be sure
our data within projects such as these does not become skewed to support what
we want, but to support the true results.
With an Action Research Project there are an abundant opportunities to
focus on details, have more checks and balances, and more validity of data
gathered. I will definitely put this new
knowledge to good use.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Week 3 - Action Research Plan
As part of the week 3 assignment, we were to generate our action research plan.
My action research topic addresses the academic readiness of students who failed the 8th grade STAAR tests (Math or Reading) for advancement into the 9th grade.
Tool 7.1 - Action Planning Template
|
||||
Goal:
To determine if
current freshmen who would not have been promoted grade levels under the SSI
- Student Success Initiative (students who failed 8th grade Math
or Reading TAKS tests) were academically ready for their promotion despite
failing either the Math or Reading STAAR tests.
|
||||
Action Steps(s):
|
Person(s)
Responsible:
|
Timeline: Start/End
|
Needed Resources
|
Evaluation
|
Pull &
Analyze 8th grade STAAR results of all current year Freshmen at
Shepton High School
|
Chad
Hurst
|
March
2013
|
SAS
data program, Excel Spreadsheet of Collected Data
|
Determine
which Students only achieved Level I rankings
|
Create
list of students who will be the subject of the study
|
Chad
Hurst
|
March
2013
|
Excel
Spreadsheet
|
N/A
|
Survey
the teachers of these students, searching for their opinions on students ability,
readiness, effort, and attitude
|
Chad
Hurst
|
May
2013
|
Survey
|
Spreadsheet
of answers/results for each answer set
|
Collect
all grades earned throughout the full school year for each student on the
list
|
Chad
Hurst
|
June
2013
|
PISD Pinnacle
Gradebook, Excel
|
Create
sortable spreadsheet of data
|
Analyze
all data to determine the success of these students through the year
|
Chad
Hurst
|
July –
August 2013
|
All
Created Spreadsheets
|
Look
at STAAR results as compared to teacher opinions and class success
|
Pull
these students 2013 STAAR results
|
Chad
Hurst
|
August
– September 2013
|
SAS
data program, Excel Spreadsheet of Collected Data
|
Determine
which Students only achieved Level I rankings
|
Compare
the students data and see how they fared from one year to the next on the
STAAR tests
|
Chad
Hurst
|
September
2013
|
Excel
Spreadsheets
|
Report
Findings
|
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Week 2 - Reflections
This week was an eye opening week to the importance and uses
of Action Research. Hearing how a few
others have used action research to improve their situations and then seeing
all of the examples in Chapter Two of the Dana test (The Passions That Drive
Your Journey), I have realized that action research is all around us. There are a wide range of issues that can be
covered and with the right research you can really improve your school. From staffing concerns and development, to student
performance and discipline, and even community culture and social issues;
action research can provide clarity in all sorts of issues.
In looking at all of the different ideas that my Lamar
classmates have chosen for their Action Research projects, it just furthers my
realization that Action Research is limited simply by your imagination. Basically if you can think of a problem or
concern and are willing to put in the time and work, then you can research and
find your best solution.
Patience and diligence is are key to Action Research AND are
also a very important tool for a successful Administrator.
The Principal's BLOG
For a principal a blog can be a very effective tool create and keep a school community. By putting out school happenings, agendas, schedules, or ideas the principal can alert everyone to what is going on with the school, and can accept feedback on the success of an event. A blog is a good way for a principal to be more reachable and more in touch with the students and their families, while still being professional and fulfilling their duty to their school. A way for the community to stay connected and be connected.
The blog is a valuable tool of the 21st century principal.
The blog is a valuable tool of the 21st century principal.
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