Action Research Plan

 
ACTION RESEARCH PLAN
Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Grouping
 
Objective:
Evaluate, compare and determine which type of grouping (heterogeneous or homogeneous) has a more positive impact on student learning.

Goals:
1) To obtain data that will give me enough information to identify the best student grouping.
2) Analyze data from the two different groups and compare it.
3) Give students same instruction and activities to ensure they have same opportunities.
4) Compare results of benchmarks to find gaps in the grouping.
5) Decide which grouping is best to make the appropriate changes and ensure that are students succeed.
 

Action Step(s)
Person(s) Responsible
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation

Analyze student TAKS scores and other data to form groups according to academic level.
Katia Y. Garza and Colleen Adams
Summer 2010-December 2011.
TAKS reports, benchmark results, access to aware program, computer.
Complete roster of the two different groups that will be observed in 4th grade, and two groups in 3rd gd.

Ensure that all teachers have student information, including TAKS scores and any special needs.
Katia Y. Garza
August 19, 2010
Computer, Microsoft Excel, internet access, email, printer, paper, copier
Complete the forms with student information, and divide them in groups.

Meet with teachers to decide when the 1st formal day of instruction will start, and to ensure that they all have the materials needed.
Katia Y. Garza and Colleen Adams
August 20, 2010
All subject timelines, C-Scope binder, paper, pens.
Lesson Plan Template, objectives to be targeted written down.

Meet with teachers to give them testing dates, and tutoring schedules.
Katia Garza
Grade level chair.
September 1st, 2010
Document with specific testing dates for benchmark, and TAKS.
Teacher will answer questions, about testing dates and times.

Observations of students and teacher.
Katia Garza
September 13-17, 2010
Paper, pencil, computer.
Teacher will record observations on the computer, to gather data.

1st Benchmark will be implemented
Classroom Teachers
October 2010
Test booklets, dividers, sharpened pencils, student roster, quiet sign, etc., computer, printer.
Score and print results using the AWARE system.

Teachers will meet to analyze benchmark results and compare them to last years. Identify areas of difficulty.
Katia Garza, 3rd and 4th grade teachers
October, 2010
Benchmark results, paper, pencil, AWARE program, and computer.
Develop a plan to target the areas of need.

Conduct interviews with administrators and teachers.
Katia Garza
October, 2010
Paper, pencil, computer, questionnaire.
Record findings in computer.

Conduct observations of students and teachers
Katia Garza
November, 2010
Paper, pencil, computer
Share observations with site supervisor.

2nd benchmark implementation
3rd and 4th grade teachers.
December 6-10, 2010
Test booklets, dividers, sharpened pencils, student roster, quiet sign, etc., computer, printer.
Benchmark results.

Analyze benchmark scores.
Katia Garza and Colleen Adams
December 13, 2010
Benchmark results, paper, pencil, AWARE program, computer
Record findings, patterns, and observations.

Come up with a plan to resolve situation
Katia Garza and administrators
December, 2010
Information obtained through action research project.
Completion of action research study

 
Assessment Instrument for the effectiveness of the action research: I will use the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 benchmark scores. Analyze patterns, gaps, and all other findings on the observations. I will also have research based information from articles. The review and disaggregation of the teachers’ collected benchmark scores and the AEIS report along with the TAKS scores from the previous school year, will help us determine the areas in need of improvement with the purpose of implementing instructional strategies, remediation tools and professional development to close the academic gaps and improve the 2010-2011 scores. We will also have information to determine if the grouping of the students was having a negative impact on student learning and improvement.