Action Research Plan

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School Mission: Reagan Middle School is dedicated to creating a respectful environment where individuals learn and succeed by developing character, intellect, wellness, and a desire for life-long learning. We are committed to assuring learning experiences that will assist our students in achieving their greatest potential to adapt and adjust to a diverse and ever changing society.

Goal: The goal of this action research plan is to advance the learning of students in science by teaching males and females in separate classes. We will determine if this splitting allows the different sexes a better opportunity for learning. We will also determine if splitting these students raises TAKS scores in 8th grade science across the board. We will also look to see what other positive or negative effects rise from this study.



1. In each class period, separate males and females. Each teacher will switch males and females every other day.
None
April, 2011
Jourdan Newman
Molly Shaw
None
None
2. Survey students after first 6 weeks to see how they feel about program
Survey made by Jourdan Newman and Molly Shaw
10 minutes at the beginning of class period last day of first six weeks
Jourdan Newman
And Molly Shaw
Read survey results
Survey will consist of questions asking the students how they feel their achievement, comfort level, learning habits and study habits have been affected. Students will rate each one of these factors 1-5.
3. Benchmark scores at the end of January 2011.
District created benchmark, D2SC
Give to each class on the designated day given by the district. This day has not been determined yet.
Jourdan Newman, Molly Shaw, and Brent Jones
Using our data software, D2SC, we will download results of benchmark for each student. This software allows us to see which SEs students mastered and which ones they still struggle on.
Benchmark will be created by the district and will consist of 50 questions of material that has been covered by that date in class.
4. District 6 weeks tests
District made 6 weeks test, D2SC
Test is given the last day of each six weeks
Jourdan Newman, Molly Shaw and Brent Jones
District will provide a test that assess knowledge learned during the 6 weeks. Data is uploaded into D2SC. This will allow us to see what SEs students mastered or did not master in the 6 weeks.
6 Weeks test will be designed by the district. The amount of questions vary with each test.
5. 2011 8th Grade Science TAKS Test
State created 2011 Science TAKS Test materials
Test is assigned to be taken April 28th, 2011.
All teachers administrating test.
Results from this test will be sent approximately 2 weeks after test is turned in. We will be able to see how each sub-group does on the test.
2011 8th grade science TAKS. Consists of 60 questions; 50 are scored and 10 are field questions.
6. Ending survey
Ending survey created
This will be given on Monday, May 2nd , 2011.
Jourdan Newman, Molly Shaw and Brent Jones
The survey will again ask the same questions that the previous survey did but this survey will also ask the students to rate how they felt they did on the TAKS test
Survey will show how students feel about the program.

Weeks 2 Reflection

This week we took time to focus on what type of topics leaders most often do action research projects on. This week gave me the ability to think about my school and what problems or situations we would like to fix or get more information on. The videos we watched from the three scholars spoke on the action research projects that they performed on their campuses or districts and also gave tips on how to create the best research project. This week really helped me focus on my action research project.

Use of Blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs in a variety of ways. One way is to easily disseminate knowledge out to your students and/or parents. Knowledge can be easily accessed from anywhere there is an internet connection and there is now worry of losing the information or it not making it home. Another way educators can use blogs is to use them as a reflective journal of learning for their students. Students can create a blog to write reflective entries on what they have learned in class. The teacher can easily view these to see what has been learned and what needs to be covered in more detail.

Action Research

Action research can be used as a great way to improve schools, administration and teaching. Action research is different from traditional research because it actually takes place in schools or campuses. Traditionally, most research for education has been done at a college or university and does not truly involve those who see education in action everyday; teachers and administrators. Action research or administrator inquiry allows a leader on campus to identify or pose a problem that is occurring on their campus. The major component of action research is reflection. Action research asks the administrator or teacher to reflect on the issue needing change and how best to address it. Then, reflection is needed on the solution and how it is working. I definitely could use this on my campus with a current issue. We have notice that girls usually do not speak up in the classroom when boys are involved and take on the traditional role of a woman and do not participate at all. We would like to see this change to maximize the learning of females on campus. Another way that I believe action research could be used on campus is to identify the reason our Hispanic students have regularly performed below standard on the 8th grade TAKS tests.