Monday, February 6, 2012

Action Research- Reducing the failure rate of ninth grade students in core/foreign language classes.


SCHOOL VISION: We believe that everyone can learn. We are committed to promoting a secure environment where all work together toward achieving our potential and
where all succeed.


GOAL: The goal of the researcher is to identify strategies that lead to a reduction of
the failure rate in core classes and foreign language for ninth grade students.

OUTCOMES ACTIVITIES RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES TIME LINE
The outcome of this research is that ninth grade students increase success in core/foreign language classes.




Assessment
Students will be assessed through failure reports, report cards and progress reports.




Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments:
If students do not meet the required passing rates, then the appropriate staff will re-evaluate what they are doing and make the necessary improvements.
Create a tutoring program designed for ninth graders to address their academic needs which will achieve the following:
-Identify ninth grade students that are struggling in core/foreign language classes
-provide tutoring information and in-school extra help through an established academic lab for struggling students.
Survey questions for students.




Student failure reports.




Professional development to address instructional methods to improve ninth grade student's success.




Survey ninth grade teachers to see what strategies work with freshmen students.




Additional support for the in-school academic lab.
Ninth Grade Core/Foreign Language Teachers,
Administrators,
Curriculum Instructional Specialist.
March 2012- October 2012




March 2012
Identify Ninth Grade students that failed core/foreign language during the first semester.




Develop survey questions




April 2012
Survey ninth grade teachers to get additional strategies for making freshmen successful.




Survey the ninth grade students that failed to determine what strategies would have helped them to be successful
Identify strategies for bridging the academic gap between middle school and 9th grade.




During the incoming freshmen orientation implement strategies to improve freshmen success.




-survey 9th grade students to get suggestions that would have helped the transition from middle school to the ninth grade. Using an electronic survey or hard copy.





 
May 2012
Compile data from student surveys. Create a strategy list for implementation at the incoming ninth grade orientation.




August 2012
Implement strategies at the incoming freshmen orientation for ninth grade success.




October 2012
Check failure reports at the first nine weeks. Compare and analyze data.


2 comments:

  1. Randy,

    I really like your project. I teach freshmen, and any insight that you learn or any techniques that come out of this project could be very helpful to me. I like the idea of using freshman orientation to implement some of your findings. Do you think you will get better information from the students or the teachers? I will be looking on the discussion board this week to see what you think are going to be the challenges in your project.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Randy,

    Your project sounds like it will be a valuable asset to your school. I teach freshmen and understand that they need much help. Does your school not currently have tutoring available for the students as a campus, not including teacher choice to tutor? I ask because our school offers extended day, Saturday school, and credit recovery for all students. Would you be the first to offer any form of tutoring, or is your plan to offer a specialized freshmen-only tutoring camp addressing the findings of your surveys?

    ReplyDelete