Web Conference (4/1/12)

Attending this week’s web conference has helped me clarify some questions that I had about the week 5 assignment. Also, it has provided me with a clear understanding on other issues, such as, ILD, LCE, and the TExES. Dr. Jenkins clarified that ILD (32 hour program) needs to be taken before the TExES.  Our school district will provide training on PDAS (appraisal training) a 20 hour program, which is not required in our Lamar program. We shared our proposals, Mentor Me, TURN Project, Teaching Understanding Reaching Neighbors among others. I found the following proposals interesting and will try them at my campus. For example, Sarahdia Johnson’s Mentor Me proposal, which is designed to improve academic success of the at risk students. Another great proposal was D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students) these dads volunteer by helping work with small groups and be role models to our students who come from single parents. Dr. Jenkins advised us that to improve parental involvement, we must provide child care and light snacks. Some attendees had concerns/questions regarding the STAAR test and the RTI process. Dr. Jenkins was able to answer and clarify those questions. Lastly, someone mentioned a great book called “How to Motivate Reluctant Learners” for a book study or possible staff development which I am considering reading.

Web Conference Reflection

I found the web conference on 2/13/12 very beneficial.  I always learn something new from attending our weekly web conferences. This week Dr. Abernathy made a few clarifications. For example, she wanted us to use the revised week 5 assignment.  She also went over the week 4 and 5 assignments. For week 5 she wants us to include strategies on how we want our teachers to integrate web 2.0 web tools into the curriculum. She also answered questions regarding the Action Plan, certification, graduation, TK20, and the LCE. She mentioned for us to use the TExES Preparation tutorials that are available to us. The item that I found most interesting was the ceremony. This being my 8^th course I found, the information very motivating to keep working hard. Dr. Abernathy gave us a synopsis of the ceremony, which I am looking forward to.

STar Chart Presentation

Texas StaR Chart

View more presentations from smoyabest1

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology

Educator Preparation and Development in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020, is the area that I chose because of the lack of progress over the past three years. The Texas Long Range plan is made up of four sections:  Teaching and Learning, Educator Preparation and Development, Leadership, Administration, and Instructional Support, and Infrastructure for Technology. The Educator Preparation and Development section states that educators must master the SBEC Technology Application Educator Standards either by an educator certificate program or by seeking professional development.  Traditional schooling and one size fits all mentality is long gone. As educators, we need to become learners ourselves and be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed in order to better serve our 21^st Century learners. After analyzing my campus’s results, much progress is still needed in this area. We scored Advanced Tech in four out of the five categories, and two in Developing Tech.  Despite being placed in Advanced Tech for most of the sections, we still need to strive for improvement, to eventually reach the Targeted area. Being placed in Advanced Tech for three concurrent years makes me wonder if we have become stagnant.  As a whole, we need to revisit our vision and make sure we’re all on the same page and find out where our weaknesses are so we can adjust accordingly.  My recommendations for improvement in this area would be to provide online courses that are available 24/7 to the faculty. Also, collaboration amongst teachers and administrators need to occur often (issues, success, and ways to integrate technology into the curriculum).  Another recommendation would be to provide educators with a list of the SBEC Technology Application standards and strategies on how to use them on a monthly basis.  Lastly, educators and administrator must strive to inspire, model and encourage others to become lifelong learners as themselves.

Texas Education Agency, (2010). 2010 progress report on the long-range plan for technology, 2006-2020. Austin: Texas Education Agency

My Action Research Update...

All of last week, I took time to gather all the needed data for the first semester.  This provided me with motivation to keep working on my action research.  So far I have their Math & Reading CA's scores (beginning of the year till now), TELPAS results  from last year (currently waiting on this year's results), as well as last year's TAKS scores for Reading and Math.  I was able to see the growth that my students have done so far but I wonder how much the Departmentalization Program has to do with it. I am still waiting on the Reading and Math TAKS test results, which I will receive in May. I am also waiting on this year's  TELPAS Reading results.   Currently, I am wondering how I am going to present and analyze all the gathered data.

Week 5 Reflection

Reflecting back to the beginning of the course, I can recall feeling overwhelmed with all the new information. These five weeks have provided me with a wealth of new knowledge and confidence. I have learned that action research provides opportunities to conduct inquiries into our own teaching. We are able to evaluate and improve our practices to enhance students learning. We are able to collaborate with each other and share new ideas, while developing stronger relationships with our staff. Most importantly, we take charge of our own learning and resist  becoming stagnant. We must take the time to reflect and look for answers. Instead of becoming a manager in our daily routines, we are head learners building a learners community.  Marjorie C. Ringler, EdD, (Spring 2007) states that action research "can be effective strategies for teachers' professional growth and accountability" (p. 36).

I was also introduced to blogging in this course. This has provided me with much needed support and effective feedback from my peers. I don't think my action research plan would have come out the way it did without the collaboration from my classmates. We have created a bond and feel eager to support each other. I am able to search, share and learn from others in the education field.

Reference:

Ringler, M. C. (Spring 2007). Action Research an Effective Instructional Leadership Skill for Future Public School Leaders. AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice, Vol. 4 (1), p. 36.

Revised AR Plan...

Going back and reflecting on the comments that I received from four of my peers, I have rephrased my goal to: How is the departmentalization program in 4th grade contributing to my current bilingual students' academic progress and success in Reading and Math? After reading their comments I realized that the previous goal was too broad. Also, after finding out that our action research plan is due by the seventh course, I went back and revised my start and end dates.

Action Planning Plan Goal: How is the departmentalization program in 4th grade contributing to my current Bilingual students' academic progress and success in Reading and Math? Action Steps(s): Person(s) Responsible: Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation 1. Discuss action research topics with site supervisor. Myself and Leigh Anne Stockdale 2/28/11 – 3/04/11  Internship Plan, STAR Reading results Discussed various topics and chose the above topic. 2. Gather data on our Bilingual students, Read literature (books, journals) on Bilingual education and Departmentalized Program. Myself 3/07/11 – 3/27/11 Math & Reading Reports from EduGence (CAs & Benchmarks), May 2010 and May 2011 TAKS results, STAR Reading reports. Evaluate data and reports, developed an excel spreadsheet to chart results. 3. Interview students former teachers and get a strong background on each student. Myself, 1st, 2nd,and 3rd Bilingual Teachers 4/11/11 –4/25/11 Interview questionnaire Will have documented data of students previous academic achievement.  Ask for their suggestions. 4.  I will observe my students in their general education setting to monitor their progress. Myself, and General Education Team 5/10/11 – 5/20/11 observation questions form Are they having difficulties? Are they feeling motivate and confident? How are they interacting with the teacher? Are they actively involved in the lesson? 5.  Meet with my principal and team to communicate progress and results. Collaborate of new changes for the following year. Myself, General Education Team, and Principal 6/09/11-8/12/11 Interview questionnaire, informal observation data, EduGence reports, Benchmark reports, May 2010 and May 2011 TAKS results, STAR Reading reports Discuss the results of my AR, Compare/contrast reports from previous semester and Collaborate on new changes that  need to take place to improve the program for next year. Do we have the support of our principal? 6. Implement new and improved Departmentalized Program for 2011-2012 school year. Myself, General Education Teachers 8/13/11 – 10/1/11 Action Research Plan results Monitor students academic progress every six weeks. 7.  Evaluate and Monitor the program progress of the program Myself 8/13/11-10/3/11 EduGence reports (Benchmarks, CAs), 2011 TAKS results, and STAR Reading reports Reflect on last year's data to current data. Are students achieving academic success? Harris, S., Edmonson, S., Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education (pg. 85).

Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan         Goal: How is departmentalization in 4th grade contributing to ELL students' academic progress and success?         Action Steps(s):         Person(s) Responsible:         Timeline: Start/End         Needed Resources         Evaluation         1. Discuss action research topics with site supervisor.       Myself and Campus  Principal     2/28/11 – 3/04/11      Internship Plan     4th Grade  Bilingual Edu. Data        Discussed various topics and choose the above topic.        2. Gather data on our Bil. students, Read literature (books, journals) on Bilingual education and departmentalized Program.     Myself         3/07/11 – 3/11/11     Reports from EduGence, Benchmarks, May 2010 and May 2011 TAKS results, STAR reports.         Evaluate data and reports, developed an excel spreadsheet to chart results.        3. Interview students former teachers and get a strong background on each student.       Myself, 1st, 2nd,and 3rd bilingual teachers     3/11/11 – 3/25/11         Interview questionnaire           Will have documented data of students previous academic achievement.  Ask for their suggestions.        4.  I will observe my students in their general education setting to monitor their progress.         Myself, and general     education team         4/10/11 – 4/20/11         observation  questions form         Are they having difficulties? Are they feeling  motivate and confident?  How are they  interacting with the teacher?  Are they actively   involved in the lesson?        5.  Meet with my principal and team to communicate progress and results. Collaborate of new changes for the following year.         Myself, general education team, and principal         4/25/11-5/1/11         Interview questionnaire, informal observation data, EduGence reports, Benchmark reports, May 2010 and May 2011 TAKS results, STAR reports         Discuss the results of my AR,    Compare/contrast reports from previous semester and Collaborate on new changes that we need to make to improve the program for next year. Do we have the support of our principal?       6. Implement new  and improved Departmentalized Program for 10-11 school year.         Myself, General     Education Teachers         8/13/11 – 6/01/12         TAKS scores,  Benchmarks, and CAs         Monitor students academic progress every six weeks.        7.  Evaluate and Monitor the program progress of the program            Myself         8/13/11-6/01/12         EduGence reports, Benchmarks, TAKS results, and STAR reports         Reflect on last year's data to current data. Are students achieving academic success?      Harris, S., Edmonson, S., Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do to Improve Our   Schools. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education (pg. 85).