Action Research Plan - To determine if benchmark testing improves standardize test results.

SIP or PIP (SCHOOL or PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT) PLAN OF ACTION

SCHOOL VISION: Improvement on Standardized Test scores by using benchmark testing data and intervention.

GOAL:  To determine if benchmark testing improves standardized testing results.

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Setting the Foundation: Looking at the disruption of teaching time, schedules, lack of funding due to testing absences	Preparing to give required benchmark testing	Student report generator to research student and teacher schedules for administering test.	Test facilitator, counselors, secretaries	October, 2011	10th Grade ELA TAKS  Reading and Writing Benchmark tests
Analyzing Data: Determine students that will taking the tests and classrooms	Complete review of 10th Grade ELA students required through summary reports who are required to take the benchmark testing, create scheduling for all students except our band students due to scheduled trip.	Prepare student reports and schedules to determine student assignments, modifications, small group locations for each student.	Test Facilitator counselors secretaries, special education dept. site mentor	October, 2011	10th Grade ELA TAKS Reading and Writing Benchmark tests
Developing Deeper Understanding: Administrating10th grade TAKS ELA Benchmark testing data	Administration of 10th Grade TAKS Benchmark tests	TEA generated Benchmark Test examples and documentations on how to create and grade questions for this test.	ELA Curriculum Specialist Instructional Coach Print shop	November, 2011	November, 2011 Test given	Waiting for TEA grading criteria for essay portion of the tests.
Engaging in Self Reflection: Looking a researchers and why the benchmark testing was created	Review websites and articles regarding why benchmarks were established and what they mean to education	The Flaws, Fallacies and Foolishness of Benchmark Testing;   Making Benchmark Testing Work	Susan Martin	December, 2011	Data from Benchmark results	Waiting for TEA grading criteria for essay portion of the tests.
Exploring Patterns: Reviewing data from benchmark test	Compare 10th graders scores and look for areas of weakness that needs addressing	Computer data report program and student analysis data base	Susan Martin Data coordinator David Youngblood	December, 2011	Data from Benchmark Results
Determining Direction: Using the data from the benchmark test will determine action	Move failing students into a intervention program for Jan – Mar, 2012, re-teaching techniques for questions that were consistency missed	Work with instructional coaches on test data from and teachers classes compared to test scores,  Compare student report to prior scores	Susan Martin Instructional Coach David Youngblood Russell Faldyn	December, 2011	Data from Benchmark Results
Taking Action: During March, 2012 actual TAKS test is administrated	10th Grade TAKS test will be administered for sample students	TEA guidelines and regulations for administrating the test, teachers trained for monitoring and students prepared for test	Susan Martin, Testing Facilitator counselors, secretaries, teachers, students Russell Faldyn	March, 2012	10th grade TAKS ELA reading and writing Test.
Sustaining Improvement: Review of the outcome of the 10th Grade ELA TAKS Reading and Writing Test	Compare data from the benchmark tests and the actual March TAKS Tests, see where there were discrepancies and adjust for these in the new teaching curriculum	Student data reports, TEA test results Work with instructional coaches comparing benchmark test data and actual test scores.	Susan Martin Instructional Coach Russell Faldyn David Youngblood	June, 2012	Data from ELA 10th Grade TAKS Test

What is action research and who might use it?

The use of the Action Research process which includes the act of inquiry of an issue, researching or studying this issue, making an educated decision regarding the issue and then reflecting of the results of your decision regarding this issue; could easily be used on a personal level in everyday living. This process can be especially effective with difficult decisions required by many administrators.  The process begins as one wonders, questions or inquires on how to solve an issue, improve or rethink a procedure. Once you have formulated a question or issue, then find professional sources to research the issue to find alternatives methods or confer with experts to formulate the best decision to resolve the issue.  After delivering the decision on the issue, next step is as important and the first, reflection on the results of the decision. Was the issue resolved, altered, or not affected by the actions of your decision? Action research is a cyclic process where the process of inquire, study, decision and reflection continues in all areas of our lives. One role, as a leader of the campus, is to encourage all administrators, teachers, staff and even, students to use this process in their daily activities strengths the campus environment and development of professional learning communities and leadership teams where they practice this process to improve the teaching and learning of the students.