Sunday, August 7, 2011

Model, model, model!!!

Force field analysis, Delphi model, Nominal group techniques...oh my! To be honest (as my 15 year says), I was NOT a big fan of the Delphi model. Actually, I thought it was downright belittling. I'm not a big fan of being a follower...and that seems to be what the Delphi model is all about. Almost like, "Oh, you don't agree with what we say, do, want? Too bad. You're wrong. And you're going to be wrong until you agree with us."

My favorite technique had to be the Nominal group technique...especially because it's a perfect way of including our parents opinions/input!

Can't wait for school to start and set this plan in motion!!!

CARE Model

Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, Julie Combs
Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool
Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)
(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)
1. Teacher/Parent collaboration is needed.
2. Greater challenged classroom instruction.
3. Less discipline problems.
Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)
(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)
  1. Parents know that they are welcomed on campus
2. Constant parent/teacher communication
3. Challenged classroom instruction
SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)
(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)
1. Parent opinions must have merit in the research.
2. Parents should be allowed to actively participate in classroom/school functions.
3. Monthly meetings with teachers/administrators to discuss progress or lack thereof.
EVALUATE – Specifically and Often
(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)
1. Regular discussions with students/staff/parents
2. Parent questionnaires
3. Student grades/progress reports

Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan
Goal:  What actions can our campus take to motivate the parents of ELD students to become an integral part of their child’s academic success?
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation

Collect TAKS data from 2010-2011 school year and analyze passing, non-passing, and commended scores of ELD students


Cristy Hill (4th grade teacher), Sylvia Cardenas (5th grade teacher), Jorge Limon (principal), Annette Ramos (asst. principal)

August 2011-September 2011

TEA data,
Campus TAKS data

Determine the % of students passing the TAKS Reading, Writing and Math tests 

Interview teachers involved in the research to determine how schedules will need to be modified to accommodate parents


Sylvia Cardenas, Kathy Martinez, Mr. DeLaGarza

August 2011

All 4th and 5th grade teachers, including Special Ed staff

Study schedules and determine available time slots.

Evaluate schedules of cooperating teachers to determine usage of instruction time





All 4th and 5th grade teachers, including Special Ed staff.

August and September 2011

Schedules and lesson plans

Determining what time slots are available in which parents can actively participate in instruction.
Obtain and analyze reading levels of ELD students from 3rd and 4th grade.




Review reflection logs of at least one teacher from each grade level.










Survey each participating parent to determine their perception of the research.



Cristy Hill, Becky Rohde (librarian), Julie Stansbury







Cristy Hill, LuAnn Viesca, Katherine Martinez












All involved parents and faculty members.

August 2011










December 2011














December 2011


iStation reports, Accelerated Reader reports, Read Naturally reports, Fluency reports, TAKS Reading scores

Up –to-date reports from the above mentioned programs, along with reflections from each teacher.






Campus Principals,
Participating staff members, and participating parents


Analyze said reports and determine how parents can actively engage in one or more reading programs with their child.



Analyze the improvements that teachers have noticed in students, and how much participation has been obtained from parents up to this date.



Analyze parents’ perception of the research and determine whether or not any gains have been made up to this point.