Reflections on EDLD 5301, EA 1281, Sept. 2011

Reflections on EDLD 5301 Research This research course basically focused on the entirety of the action research plan.  Week one talked about action research and blogs.  Though this was my second opportunity to create a blog for academic purposes, I still felt like this was a brand new adventure.  After utilizing my blog and viewing my colleagues’ blogs, I know that I need further practice in this area.  For week two, my favorite highlight was the video that featured Dr. Johnny Briseno, Principal of Rancho Isabella Elementary, Angleton ISD; Dr. Timothy Chargois, Director of Research, Planning and Development in Beaumont ISD; and Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent of Pasadena ISD.  These men gave excellent suggestions regarding action research plans, and as a result of this video, I realized that I had to change my action research plan to a practical action research plan.  I am glad I did, and I am excited to follow my action research plan to see what the end result will be.   Week three focused on my favorite book for this course.  Harris S., Edmonson S., Combs J. (2010), Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools; 8 Steps From Analysis To Action.  Larchmont, New York:  Eye On Education.  This book highlighted eight steps to follow for an action research plan, and these eight steps were very helpful in the planning process of my action research plan. Week four instructed me to meet with my site supervisor regarding my action research plan, to collaborate on details, and to reach an agreement on my final revision.  This was an interesting process because after we sat down together and viewed the draft, my site supervisor was able to walk through my action research plan and talk about the necessary revisions needed to better implement the action research plan. Finally, week five shares the five quality indicators for practitioner research.  The five indicators give suggestions and questions that will help me throughout the continuing process of my research.

Revised Action Research Plan via interview with site supervisor...

Action Research Plan (Revised)
Goal:  To meet or exceed AYP in Reading for Tier II and Tier III African American students in 2011-2012.
Action Step(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources:	Evaluation:
Pull-out tutoring. Review data from reading pre assessment and rotate Tier III students with the Title I tutors.	Title I tutors	September 2011 to March 2012	Scott Foresman Leveled Readers Scott Foresman Fluency Scott Foresman Phonics and Decoding Scott Foresman Vocabulary Scott Foresman Intervention Guide High Frequency Words Literacy Mastery Markers Report Cards RTI referrals Discipline referrals	Phonics weekly assessments Fluency weekly assessments Comprehension weekly assessments Vocabulary words weekly Assessment Spelling tests Reading Curriculum Based Assessments (CBAs) every 9 weeks Mastery Markers Tracking Sheet STAAR test in April 2012
Small-group tutoring. The fourth grade literacy teachers will instruct Tier II and Tier III students in small group instruction during center time.	Teachers	September 2011 to March 2012
One-on-one tutoring. The literacy coach will pull literacy data and focus on Tier II and Tier III students that need one-on-one tutoring because of discipline referrals, RTI referrals, or as needed.	Literacy coach	September 2011 to May 2012
Peer tutoring. During independent reading time, the teachers will allow Tier II students to partner read with a Tier I buddy.	Students	September 2011 to March 2012
Mastery Markers documentation. This document will allow teachers to track all components of literacy on the students as a checklist as to what they know and need to know.	Teachers	August 2011 to June 2012 (BOY, MOY, EOY)

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Action Research Plan for Martha Jarmon; EDLD 5301, EA 1281

Action Research Plan
Goal:  To meet or exceed AYP in Reading for Tier II and Tier III African American students in  2011-2012.
Action Step(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources:	Evaluation:
Pull-out tutoring	Title I tutors	September 2011 to March 2012	Scott Foresman Leveled Readers Scott Foresman Fluency Scott Foresman Phonics and Decoding Scott Foresman Vocabulary Scott Foresman Intervention Guide High Frequency Words	Phonics weekly assessments Fluency weekly assessments Comprehension weekly assessments Vocabulary words weekly Assessment Spelling tests Reading Curriculum Based Assessments (CBAs) every 6 weeks STAAR test in March 2012
Small-group tutoring	Teachers	September 2011 to March 2012
One-on-one tutoring	Literacy coach	September 2011 to March 2012
Peer tutoring	Students	September 2011 to March 2012

Reflections from Week Two...

The nine areas of major wonderings were very informative.  I knew a little bit about each of these topics from my position as a teacher, but after reading chapter 2, "The Passions that Drive Your Journey", my understanding of these nine areas of wonderings became clearer.  I plan to use what I've learned from this book to find and implement my wonderings in the classroom to better serve my students and to assist my colleagues.

How educational leaders might use blogs...

As an educator, we might utilize a classroom blog for parents to stay abreast of the classroom and school happenings.  Instead of emailing parents or creating newsletters, a blog is the coolest and newest form of technology to stay in touch with all parents.  Blogs are easy to access and fun to use.  Parents are also able to correspond with teachers via posts.  A principal may utilize a blog with teachers and/or parents.  The superintendent may utilize the blog for principal meetings, district meetings, community meetings, and so on. 

Blogs are an excellent source of communication for almost anyone and almost anywhere.!

What I have learned about action research...

Action research is just that, action.  As an educator or principal, we must look at our practices on a daily basis, make plans or goals to better our practices, implement the findings that will answer our questions or ease our wonderings, look back on what worked and what did not work, make adjustments as needed, and
continually work on our plans or goals for improvement. 

As an educator, I will utilize action research by looking at the data provided from test results such as curriculum based assessments (CBAs) and/or topic/unit tests.  I will study the data and make a plan or set goals to improve my students' skills in specific content areas.  I will challenge my high students with enrichment lessons or exerses, and I will provide small group instruction for students based on their needs assessment.  I will continue this process throughout the year to keep my students on track with their learning. 

As a principal, I will study and analyze school-wide data, create plans and set goals based off the study of the data..  I will collaborate with my team leaders, whom will collaborate with their team.  We will come together during weekly staff meetings and collectively discuss our plans and goals.  We will implement the findings in our classrooms, and collaborate weekly on the results of our findings, and make changes and adjustments accordingly.