JJ Pearce HS, Action Research Project

JJ Pearce H.S. English 1- EOC Tutorials
School Vision: Engage, inspire, and empower lifelong learners to lead with integrity and innovation.
Goal: Create a tutorial and pull out program for students that were unsuccessful on the 9th grade English Language Arts STAAR EOC.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Create ELA- EOC Task Force	Principal intern, Administrator, ELA Department Chair, Teaches	08/12/12- 09/07/12	Principal intern, Administrator, ELA Department Chair, Teachers	Does ELA EOC Task Force understand tutorial vision for academic year?
Meet with Tutorial Task Force, administration and teachers on tutorial curriculum	ELA- EOC Task Force, teaching staff, administration	08/27/12-09/27/12	STAAR EOC data, teacher input	How do we use curriculum to unsure success on STAAR EOC retest?
Design Tutorials Schedule based on teacher input, TAKS data, and student failures	ELA- EOC Task Force, teaching staff	08/27/12-09/27/12	STAAR EOC data, teacher input	Can tutorial schedule accommodate assigned students and staff?
Survey administrators, staff, students, and shareholders on tutorials effectiveness	ELA- EOC Task Force must create a survey for all students and staff involved in ELA EOC tutorials.  Then must analyze positive and negative feelings and hoped outcomes on future and past tutorial programs.	08/27/12-09/21/12	Time during SOS/ SOC or other during PLC to ensure active participation in study.	What new information have we learned from survey?
Conduct Staff development	ELA- EOC Task Force will conduct a staff development for ELA staff on tutorials curriculum, design, and implantation	08/27/12- 09/21/12	Staff development time, ELA teachers and administration	Does staff understanding curriculum and implementation of tutorials program?
Conduct walk-through	ELA- EOC Task Force must conduct walk through and record best teaching practices, random moment in times studies during pull-out and tutorial times.	09/13/12- 12/02/2012	Ability to leave designated assignment to review teaching strategies	What new teaching and coaching concepts can be shared with staff for increased student engagement and effective writing practices across all curriculums?
Conduct random moment in time studies	ELA- EOC Task Force will effectively communicate directions and focus of moment in time study to other teachers	09/13/12- 12/02/2012	agreement from administrators to ensure completion of random moment in time study by teaching staff	What new teaching and coaching concepts can be shared with staff for increased student engagement and effective writing practices across all curriculums?
Survey administrators, staff, students, and shareholders on tutorials effectiveness	ELA- EOC Task Force must create a survey for all students and staff.  Then analyze the effectiveness of the focused tutorials program.	12/01/2012- 12/21/2012	Time during SOS/ SOC or other during PLC to ensure active participation in study.	What new information have we learned from survey?
ELA- EOC Task Force semester analysis	Principal intern, Administrator, ELA Department Chair, Teachers	12/01/2012- 12/21/2012	Principal intern, Administrator, ELA Department Chair, Teachers	How has ELA- EOC tutorial curriculum increased student achievement at JJ Pearce?  What changes need to be made in the future?

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

First Week of School

I met with Liz Svadlenak, ELA department chair, on 8/24.  We discussed that there are 8 students re-taking the English 1 EOC on December 3^rd and 4^th.  There are 36 students who did not pass the Reading and Writing exams, 22 who only missed the Writing, and another 23 who only missed the Reading exam.  The district has purchased a specific curriculum by Pearson, but we have not received the materials yet.  We are going to use our SOC time on Wednesdays and Thursday s along with before and after school tutorials. 

New Plan Taking Shape

I met with my campus internship coordinator, Mary Cagle yesterday.   I will be working with Liz Svadlenak an English teacher at JJ Pearce.  We will be designing a focused tutorials program for our 9th and 10th grade students who did not pass the 9th grade EOC for ELA.  The largest portion being those that did not pass the writing section of the test.   They will retake their exam on December 3^rd and 4^th.  I will be meeting with Liz later this week after she meets with the department heads to begin formulating the implementation plan.

New Campus Meeting

I met with my new campus supervisor this week to discuss changes to my internship and action research plans.  My campus supervisor, Mary Cagle, is the assistant principal who oversees the special education department at J.J. Pearce High School.  They are currently making changes to their tutorials and freshman orientation program, Starting Off Strong (SOS).  Mrs. Cagle is going to discuss my possible role with the SOS committee and administration team.  We will meet again before school starts to finalize my plan.  I think a lot of the brainstorming and initial discussions I had at Long will help me to bring new ideas to Pearce.