LU Action Research Plan

I have developed an action research plan designed to help improve science TAKS scores at my school. The plan is shown below. I would welcome your comments or suggestions.

Goals and objectives – The goal is to improve ESL student performance to 80% mastery in science as measured by the 8^th grade state TAKS Science test. The specific objectives are: to provide video clips for each unit of study to be viewed by the ESL students in each 8^th grade science class; to develop scientific vocabulary in the school population; to improve comprehension by activating prior knowledge; to incorporate student technology applications with student learning; to provide targeted intervention for struggling students.

Activities – Review areas of weakness as discovered by analysis of the previous two TAKS Science tests. Conference with the department chair and 8^th grade science teachers. Determine video delivery methods to be used by teachers. Locate appropriate video clips to introduce each unit of study. Load videos onto selected devices for student use. Preview videos with science teachers. Test first topic with science class and get student feedback. Modify formatting as necessary to maintain student interest. Provide classroom posters with scientific vocabulary targeted in videos and identified by teachers. Review ESL student performance on district benchmarks. Create a video library of classroom science lab experiments.

Resources and Research Tools needed – TAKS Science test copies with answer keys and objectives for each question from 2009 and 2010. Northbrook Middle School science scores for 2009 and 2010 with sub-population breakouts. Seventh grade science benchmark data from 2010. School database of ESL students and their English proficiency levels for previous two years. Literature on using video to improve subject mastery. Computers and iTouch devices with syncing computer to load video clips. Flash drives for students to check out videos to use at home and inclusion of the videos on the school science department web page. Copy of the 8^th grade science curriculum for 2010-2011.

Timeline

August 2010, review curriculum, identify clips needed, meet with 8^th grade science teachers and assistant principal in charge, analyze data from previous years, pilot one video and survey students and teachers for reactions and input.

September 2010, continue to provide videos for units to science teachers to be used with students using necessary modifications based on test run, develop scientific vocabulary posters for each unit, meet with science teachers and assistant principal to reflect on initial feedback.

October 2010, continue to provide videos for units, incorporate video library of science labs for students who need additional time for comprehension or were absent during labs, review student and ESL student performance on district benchmark test

November 2010, continue providing videos for each topic introduced in class, add vocabulary posters to science classrooms, meet with teachers and assistant principal for feedback and reflection.

December 2010, continue providing videos and meeting with teachers for reflection and modification

January 2011, review second district benchmarks to look for patterns of improvement or areas of need, create a weekly after school science tutorial opportunity for students still struggling, review previous clips and posters for accuracy and effectiveness, create a vocabulary “hit list” of test specific target terms and create or locate short videos for each term

February 2011, create and share a review video for student use incorporating student science learning to that point in the curriculum, create and share a video for other major science topics not yet covered in class, continue to meet with teachers and assistant principal to share successes and concerns.

March 2011, review results of final district science benchmark to locate areas of weakness, invite struggling students to video science tutorials, continue to provide topical videos for classes, continue to provide vocabulary posters for classrooms

April 2011, TAKS Science test, meet with teachers to evaluate their opinions and suggestions for the project, final survey for students and involved teachers regarding effectiveness of video clips and interventions on science learning

May 2011, TAKS Science test results arrive, evaluate school results and targeted ESL population results, meet with teachers, assistant principal and principal to make revisions and find specific areas to target in future years, share results with school faculty, provide samples to district technology specialists and science school improvement specialists for their evaluation and use in other campuses if successful.

Persons responsible – Gail Dunn, action researcher, Science Department Chair, 8^th grade Science teachers, Assistant Principal – Science, ESL Department chair

Process for monitoring achievement of goals and objectives – Students will be surveyed after first video clip presentation for feedback and understanding. Specific performance of ESL students will be monitored by science teachers on each of three district benchmark tests, scientific vocabulary improvement will be documented by classroom writing, overall student achievement and success. Incorporation of technology will be monitored by lesson plans incorporating the videos and vocabulary strategies. Intervention will be monitored by the sign in sheets from tutorials sessions. Production and availability of the video clips will be monitored by accessing the target videos on the school web page. Final performance on the TAKS test will be monitored by accessing the scores of the ESL 8^th grade students and charting their performance on the science test.

Assessment instruments for evaluating effectiveness of the action research study – The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills 8^th grade Science test, district benchmark tests, copies of scientific writing samples submitted for the TELPAS testing in March, pre and post student surveys of their learning, pre and post surveys of 8^th grade science teachers on effectiveness of the study.