A light bulb moment

As I continued to ponder my decision to research on vertical partnership, a light bulb moment occured. I have been receiving training on the new state mandated test STAAR (The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) and the requirements for both teachers and students.  I am able to see the connection between my research and the expectations for student achievement. My research is focusing on how teachers can learn strategies from a teacher teaching a grade or grade levels above and the effectiveness of improving student achievement by doing this.  TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) would focus more on students meeting grade level curriculum more of a horizontal approach.  The STAAR test focuses more on "readiness" standards with a more vertical alignment approach. 

"STAAR assessments have been designed to focus on "readiness" standards, which are defined as those Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) student expectations that are not only essential for success in the current grade or course but also important for preparedness in the next grade or course. By focusing on the student expectations that are most critical to assess, STAAR will better measure the academic performance of students as they progress from elementary to middle school to high school".

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/

Week 5 Action Research Reflection

When I began this course the first week’s assignment included a question about identifying the differences between traditional and action research.  In my readings and video lectures I was able to discover that action research emphasizes a reflective approach since it allows for a collaborative process of inquiry and discussion. “Administrators’ engagement in inquiry is one vehicle for making reflection purposeful and visible” (Dana, 2009 P. 7).  Teachers are searching for ways to influence and change instruction to benefit student academic outcomes. There is a systematic way of approaching action research where there is a collection of data, observations, needs assessments, and documentation of inquiry and a conclusion. “It is necessary to understand that the need for inquiry is an essential component in order to establish a firm foundation for school improvement” (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010, p.5).  This course was not going to focus on the traditional research where we find information and write information without involving stakeholders in the process. I also created a blog to start including information for my action research.

As I continued with my course I listened to some leaders who provided us with topics of their action research and suggestions to keep in mind as we start working with ours through the course of our internship.  What was eye opening to me about their comments was to research on topics that we are interested in because maybe we can see what they did and/or how they approached that situation.  Something else that stuck with me is that regardless of where our action research takes us it can positively impact student performance. 

Then we had to come up with our own action research and come up with a plan.  The Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010, p.85) provided me with a template to document my plan in writing.  This template was a good way for me to see the big idea and the entire plan in action.  This was also a great way to document my plan and explain it to my site supervisor. 

Another great insight that added to the development of my action research were strategies for sustaining improvement. Harris stated, “Learning communities use several strategies for sustaining improvement while at the same time looking futuristically to prepare for the future ((Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2010, p.94). The strategies have helped me look at all the different aspects of looking at my action research and to continue during the process of my inquiry.

Finally, the comments made in my blog by my colleagues, discussion board, and web conferences had given me valuable information about my action research.  The professor has been a great leader in helping with our research.  Everyone’s feedback has helped me narrow my action research and start my journey with my research.

References

Dana, N. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge. California: Corwin.

Harris, S., Edmonson, E., & Combs, J. (2010) Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. New York: Eye on Education

Week 4 Action Research Reflection

This week I had a couple of my cohort colleagues give me recommendations for my action research plan.  I mentioned that some of my concerns were staying focused with my topic and time.  I mentioned that I always want to know more about things and complicate it by moving away from my topic.  This is what was making it harder for me to narrow it down because the more I thought about it the more questions came to mind and my research was becoming bigger.  One of my colleagues suggested for me to make a note of inquiry and set the note aside for later to answer.  Another colleague suggested for me to have the template to use as a guide so that I would not get off topic.  Time was another concern of mine and with their suggestions to have a note aside or the template can help me with the issue of time.  Also, one of them suggested for me to have someone at my campus can hold me accountable to stick to the plan. After my conference with my site supervisor I know that she will hold me accountable and she wants to be updated with the progress of my action research. A comment in my blog stated about the importance of professional learning communities to help align grade levels and build consistent curriculum.  She also mentioned that it is important to have teachers get together to build relationships and  discuss areas that need vertical aligning year after year.

Action Research Week 3 Reflection

This week I met with my site supervisor and made some adjustments to my question. I also read some strategies to sustain improvement with my action research. I also received valuable feedback from my cohort in the discussion board in regards to my concerns with my action research. I am excited to start gathering information and share my journey with you.

Action Research Week 2 Reflection

My goal this week is to give the 2nd grade teacher a survey to gather information on her knowledge of the curriculum for her grade and grades above and below second. This is the first step to begin the action research and start obtaining valuable information.  My goal for my action research is to see if we can build teacher capacity through a vertical partnership approach as an intervention piece to develop new teachers in their professional growth. New teachers benefit from opportunities to collaborate with veteran collegues. Teacher development is ongoing over a professional lifetime.  How can we build “highly effective” new teachers?

Action Research Template

How effective is the vertical partnership of an inexperienced teacher with a master teacher in the development of a teacher's toolbox and knowledge and its impact on student achievement?

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=19_9scENuLxkJESixZqrZK16wWtxyvvkPj8vyxhF-_hI&amp;embedded=true"></iframe>

Action research reflection

This week we were able to listen to a principal, director of research, and a superintendent about research in school settings.  What I learned from the three leaders is that whatever our research is in education, it will increase student performance.  They also mentioned that our research has to be on a topic we are interested in and want to know more about and be able to apply it in our learning.  The superitendent from Pasadena ISD made very good points about research.  He mentioned that our research has to be practical to our environment where we are at and be interested and focused on the outcome and that students will benefit from the practical research.  They all mentioned that if we want to know more about something to research other districts that have are experiencing the same issues and share similar demographics and academic needs and see what they have done so that we can apply it to our campus.