Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Three possible action research topics I have considered have been school configuration & the intermediate school model, do online reading programs significantly improve student achievement and test scores, and how does our ACE after-school program impact our low SES and at-risk student population (focusing on attendance and grades).

I attended a community forum with my site supervisor regarding changing our school configuration which now uses the intermediate school model to a more traditional middle school model that includes a k-5 elementary.  I really thought that this would be my action research topic because I could gather so much data and research on which models were most effective with what kind of demographics.  I had planned to present this to the school board or at a community forum.  However, after reflecting on my topic for quite some time (I do tend to over-think on occasion!), I realized that there was not much action I could take on this topic other than maybe participating on a committee.  It started to look like just another research project minus any real action.

I had two meetings with my site supervisor.  During the first one, we met briefly just to brainstorm more action research projects that were important to our campus such as evaluating the ACE after-school program, analyzing the impact of our online reading programs, and improving our current campus to community outreach program.  My supervisor asked me to reflect on each one, brainstorm the list of possibilities for each, and bring my list back to our meeting the next day.

The second meeting was lengthier.  We discussed my reflections and brainstorming lists.  When it was all said and done, my site supervisor thought that it might be most beneficial for our campus if I analyzed the impact that our online reading programs had on our student achievement.  He told me, “This is one that will be a lot of fun for you, and it’s practical.  You’ll really throw yourself into something you’re passionate about.”  I took his words to heart.  As an English language arts teacher and instructional specialist, I am very passionate about authentic literacy and students being able to read.  I want to have numerous avenues to intervene on a student’s behalf so that they can improve this important life skill.  Looking at it through the lens of student achievement is just a bonus.  My principal said he is looking forward to getting the data on this research, and it was his idea that I at least present to our secondary curriculum director and assistant superintendent.  He further indicated that he might like to present my findings at a principal meeting or have me do it.  I am very excited about this project.

Therefore, my action research project will be to analyze and evaluate our new Classworks and My Virtual Reading Coach programs over the course of the year, look at the kind of data and information we get from it, and track student growth in the program parallel to our STAAR scores from last year and this year for our current 8^th graders.  I will make recommendations as to its future use on our campus and possibly for our district when I present my findings to our director of secondary education and our assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.