Change of topic - NEW and IMPROVED action research plan!

SETTING THE FOUNDATION:

The new STAAR test has served to raise the bar at which students in Texas are being held accountable to. While it has good intentions, teachers/students across the state have felt the pressure rising. As an Algebra 1 teacher, I too have undertaken the challenge of teaching current 9^th grades at a higher level and at a faster pace. By meeting with and speaking to other Algebra 1 teachers, it has become clear that students are not reaching the bar at the expectancy that we would like. Several students are improving while others are falling behind. Acceleration summer school and pull-outs are being held in order to provide this group of students with the additional support in preparation for the retest.

ANALYZING DATA:
Demographics, reports and benchmark testing scores will be analyzed from the last two years of Algebra 1 STAAR testing. My main focus will be on the most recent Algebra 1 STAAR test of 2013.

DEVOLOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING:

In addition to pulling reports, I plan to meet and interview several key stakeholders in the Algebra 1 department in order to gain a better understand of the issue at hand. I will conduct interviews with the math coordinator, the administrator above math, regular algebra 1 teachers, algebra 1 acceleration teachers, and several students who have not passed the Algebra 1 STAAR test. This will allow me to understand this issue through many different perspectives. I am hoping to find many similarities but also several differences between the visions of various people.

ENGAGE IN SELF-REFLECTION:

Through self-reflection both prior to and after my research I hope to gain a better understand as to things and techniques that I can do differently to better accommodate the struggling math students that I have in my classroom. In the long run, as an administrator, I will be better prepared to work with other teachers who may have the same issues or concerns about this matter. I will ask myself questions such as: How am I capable of changing and improving the programs the school offers and how can I participate more? Am I being fair in my assessment and conclusions of this particular group? Do I and the school have the resources and skills needed to improve and make progress when working with these students? The ultimate goal is to encourage these students to continue to try and continue to learn.

EXPLORING PROGRAMMATIC PATTERNS:

After speaking with my site supervisor and the math coordinator, I have a better idea of when and what needs to be done to have successful action research. Assistance from these people along with other teachers and staff members will be most beneficial to me. I have a better understanding of what skills and resources are available to me and to the math acceleration program.

 

DETERMINING DIRECTION:
At this point my goal and intentions for my topics are clear to myself and my site supervisor. I have addressed the skills and resources to be successful and established my approach, primarily through data reports, interviews, and finally the retest. My timeline is as realistic as possible considering the summer break and testing season and I plan to remain constant throughout the rest of this year and the summer Based on results, I know I will need to flexible in altering my plan as a result of periodic evaluation.

TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT:
During and at the conclusion of my research I will collaborate with the testing coordinator and math coordinator to construct a comprehensive report of my findings. I will propose possible solutions and encourage the progress of the acceleration program based on my results. I will submit this to my supervisor along with the site based committee and will include a proposal for action to improve the academic success of students who struggle not just with algebra 1 but with all STAAR testing subjects.

SUSTAIN IMPROVEMENT:

My results will be shared with my own math department as I find it a necessity to reach out to all students during instruction. Ideally I would like my research to be beneficially across all subject areas and would encourage all teachers to use the techniques and accommodations put in place by the STAAR acceleration committee. It is imperative to not let these students fall behind. We need to learn how to teach our material well while at the same time encourage those who do not understand to continue to progress. It is also important that I keep up with these results from year to year to ensure that this population of students is not being left behind.

School Vision:

The vision for MISD is “Quest for excellence. Success for all students.” The vision for West Mesquite High School is to equip students with the skills to meet all requirements for graduation in Texas, including the TAKS and STAAR exams at the proficient or commended level as well as to equip them with skills necessary to be successful in college or the workforce.

 Goal:

The goal of WMHS is to encourage students to be life-long learners.
*My goal for this action research is to identify and target student who have not met the passing standards on the Algebra 1 STAAR test and to investigate the success of the acceleration program along with other programs the school offers. I would also like to identity what more could be done to support these students and how they are affected academically and socially.

 Activities:

Interview math coordinator about the acceleration program

Meet with administrator over math
Interview several students who have not met the standards
Interview general algebra 1 teachers
Look into trainings STAAR teachers are receiving
Identify target areas for instruction
Compare testing data and results
Compare state standards to MISD standards
List accommodations and useful techniques

 Outcomes:

Get a better idea of how effective acceleration is at our school
Understand the standards and requirements for placement
Discuss how the program is affected on the administrative level
Learn and make improvements on how the program supports the students
Understand what students feel works best and what they would like improvements on
Discuss tactics that work and do not work, implement changes
Learn how all teachers trained to handle situations and make necessary changes to benefit both teacher and student
What needs the most work and how can we fix it by building on the most successful approaches
Makes sure all standards align across state, district and school
Learn more about what is being done to support teachers, students and parents and if it is working

 Resources/Tools/Responsibility:

I will use any resources I can come in contact with: administrators, teachers, websites, books and interviews. I will be responsible for all interviews and all data collecting. Assistance will be provided primarily by the testing coordinator and math head at my school and other supporting teachers at the school. 

 Timeline:

Research will be completed for the remainder of the school year and into the summer acceleration program. Initial interviews and investigation will be done prior to the end of the school year. Since we are in prime testing season, data will be collected as soon as possible and in time for summer acceleration classes. Changes will be implemented in time for testing again in the July. This allows time for trial techniques and time for investigation and interviews of the various teachers and students across many subject areas.

Evaluation/Assessment:
This process cannot fully be evaluated until after the research has been conducted and some changes can be made during the upcoming academic year. Numbers and data will be collected and compared between the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school year. Interviews will also be conducted regularly to get a regular understanding of the success and progress of this process.

Action Planning Template
Goal: My goal for this action research is to investigate the success rate of acceleration instruction for the Algebra 1 STAAR retest students.  I would also like to identity what more could be done to support these students in the future and to increase the overall passing rate for first time testing students.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Interview the math coordinator	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. Math coordinator will also support.	Before the end of the 2013 school year	List of programs
Look into who gets placed into acceleration classes and programs	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. I will require help and information from the administration	Before the end of 2013 year	District testing for placement and requirements
Meet with administrator over math	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. I will be speaking with administrators as well for this activity.	May 2013	List of questions
Interview several students in acceleration classes	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. I will choose a sample size who will help me conduct these interviews.	End of 2013 and summer	Spreadsheets and lists of questions
List accommodations and useful techniques	I will be mainly responsible for all activities.	End of 2013 and summer	List of accommodations and spreadsheets of who/how they are used.
Compare state standards to MISD standards for LEP	I will be mainly responsible for all activities.	Summer 2013	Online resources
Compare testing data and results	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. Along with the testing coordinator as well.	Summer 2013	Data reports from testing coordinator
Identify target areas for instruction	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. General education teachers	Summer 2013	Interviews and spreadsheets across subject areas
Look into trainings for STAAR testing teachers	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. Staff development head	Summer 2013	List of staff developments and trainings
Interview general education teachers	I will be mainly responsible for all activities. Teacher across several subject areas will be helping me complete this activity.	End of 2013	List of teachers, spreadsheets and questions