My Action Research Plan

Goal: To Increase Student Reading Proficiency Levels in sixth grade through the use of the Accelerated Reader program. Action Step Person(s) Responsible Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation Star Reading Levels Jones Clark Burbridge Ros September (baseline) May (ending level) STAR test Computer Time to test Test Results Weekly Trips to the library for all sixth graders Manny (supervisor) Jones Clark Burbridge Ros Polin Mrs. Mintz (librarian) September thru May Time Access to the library Student record of how often they were visiting the library, # of books checked out for the year Support of reading on a daily basis by all core teachers also all teachers will incorporate the reading of informational texts into their class. Jones Clark Burbridge Ros Polin September thru May Time Books Effort on teachers to consistently remind students of the fact they need to read when they finish early Students will be reading books in all classes. Textbooks will be used in all core classes. Accelerated Reader Print outs to show progress of student reading points/words read Jones Clark Burbridge Ros September thru May Computer Accelerated Reader program Data from Accelerated Reader Library record of the number of books a student checked out throughout the year Mrs. Mintz (librarian) September thru May Computer Library software Data on sixth grade students and the number of texts they checked out Book It Certificates Honor Roll Award Used as a motivational tool to increase student participation in the program * monitoring progress of goals Dr. Raffiee Jones Clark Burbridge Ros Polin Mrs. Mintz Patty (office staff) October thru May 4 Quarter Awards Nov. 6th 10 am Feb. 5th 5 pm April 16th 10 am May 22nd 5 pm Computer Accelerated Reader program Book It Certificates Accelerated Reader Awards for Honor Roll (all four quarters) Data from Accelerated Reader

Reflection of Week 2

Week 2 Reflection of Interviews

In watching the three interviews they all spoke of the importance of being, "data driven."  I know that my district has been data driven for ten years now and luckily the data has been improving over the years with minor dips from year to year.  Mr. Briesco also spoke of the importance of taking the time to research a problem on your campus and you may be the "savior of your campus."  This statement really resonated in me that we are a global community and we have a world of experts and why are we not reaching out more for strategies to increase student and teacher success.  I also found it interesting that Dr. Lewis explained the journey that test data takes from the classroom level to the district level.  I had never really thought that the district doesn't really know what is happening in each teachers room they are focused on grade level or department data more so than each classrooms set of data.  I suppose that because my district is so small I assumed that they were also taking the time to look at individual teachers.  Upon further reflection I do see why that would not be the case and the last person looking at classroom/teacher data would be the administration. 

Summary of Action Research

Why use Action Research:

Action research allows an educator to reflect on their own practice and make positive change through collaboration and data.  Unlike traditional research action research adds the personal touch.  It allows you the opportunity to reflect on your current practices and work towards a deeper understanding of a personal obstacle of student success.  Action research is a continual process of inquiry that will lead you down a path to ask deeper questions of what the root of the problem may be.  With action research the results that are produced may never be duplicated again because they were unique to that school climate and time frame.

 

My Plan for Action Research:

I plan on using action research to look deeply at; How to increase student reading proficiencies? 

 

My middle school has been in program improvement for ten years now.  When I started at this site we had an API score of 525 and now we have a 743.  My principal would really like for us achieve the level of an 800 API score.  Our leadership team has decided that in order for us to get to 800; our students must become better readers.  In my class currently 95% of the students are not reading at grade level.  For our scores to improve we have to make reading and comprehension a priority.  For my action research plan I am considering; how to increase student reading proficiencies?  The sub wandering being:

• What is the relationship between higher test scores and student reading levels?
• How can we have students reading in each subject?
• How to allow students greater access to the library?
• How to allow more opportunities for students to test in accelerated reader?
• How can we improve student academic vocabulary?
   

How education leaders might use blogs...

• Educational leaders might use blogs to communicate with our global community about core standards and practices that are working in the classroom. 

• To share common struggles and strategies they have tried to combat such set backs.

•   Leaders may also use blogs to learn how to integrate technology into their lessons. 

• Educational leaders may also use blogs to stay up to date on policy changes and state laws.  Through the use of blogs a leader will have increased their coworkers by millions. 

• Administrators could use blogs to showcase exemplerary lessons.

• To increase parental involvement and highlight outstanding work by different grade levels, especially as our evidence becomes digital.