Action Research Plan

After much reading, researching and reflection I have finally created the blueprint for my Acttion Research Project.  I have included the question, rationale, and template for everyone to read and review.  I would really appreciate any  and all feedback.

Will the implementation of SLOs (Student Learning Objectives), at COHS, result in a marked improvement in lowering the achievement gap of our Economically Disadvantages students?

In 2011-2012, the Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD student population identified as Economically Disadvantaged stood at 65.4%.  During that school year, the percentage of students identified in this sub-population at the high school was 51% for 10^th grade, 63% for 11^th grade, and 18% taking TAKS-M.  The economically disadvantaged population includes all genders, ethnicities, and special services.  This group represents a cross-section of the student populations.  This year, 2012-2013, the economically disadvantage population makes up 57.5% of the student population.  This percentage is roughly the same as last year.  Taking into account the change in the student population from year to year, there has been no significant change in the achievement gap.  Because of a TIF Grant that was recently awarded, COCISD will be implementing a number of changes.  One such change is the use of SLOs in all content areas. Unlike other programs which have been utilized in the past, this is a process focused on individual student growth, by targeting individual student needs.  By creating a rigorous goal for student growth in all students, lowering of the achievement gap should show a marked improvement.

SIP or PIP (SCHOOL or PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT) PLAN OF ACTION     SCHOOL VISION: Whatever it Takes, We Educate.  Every Student, Every Classroom, Every Day. GOAL: All students will reach high standards in all academic programs including career and technology education (CTE), fine arts, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) /End of Course (EOC) standards and federal adequate yearly progress (AYP) standards.   OUTCOMES ACTIVITIES RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES TIME LINE Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments   Increase the number of Economically Disadvantaged students meeting or exceeding the State/Federal passing standard in all subjects tested Implementation of the Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) process in all core subject areas   Target Group: Eco. Dis. students Resources: District Funds Increase in Personnel Professional Development &  Training Time for planning & analysis of data   Research Tools: 2013 & 2014 AYP & AEIS data PIEMS data Attendance records Discipline referrals Student records   Principal Classroom Teachers Counselors CLFs – (Collaborative Learning Facilitators) CLLs – (Collaborative Learning Leaders) August 2013 – June 2014 Pre-Assessments Benchmarks Student Work Samples Walkthrough Data Classroom Observations Teacher and Student Surveys To be determined