EDLD 5326 Progress on Action Research.......

At this point in my research project, I am not quite as far along as I intended to be.  I had high hopes of maintaining the schedule that I developed, but so far it has been a slow progression.

I did not take into account that I would be teaching a new discipline while also being in season coaching soccer, my assigned sport. 

The goal of my action research project is to prove that economically disadvantaged sophomore students who participate in extracurricular activities have greater academic success than the nonparticipating economically disadvantaged students.  This will then provide the data to prove that Trinity High School needs to be proactive in getting students involved in the school community to improve academic performance and accountability ratings.

So far, I have obtained a report from the administration that identifies the sophomore economically disadvantaged students.  I am in the process of collaborating with the counselors to obtain the transcripts of the economically disadvantaged students that I have identified.  I am also in the process of getting the list of participating students in the 40+ clubs and organizations that we have on campus.

I am finding that it is difficult to rely on other people to help with a project.  I know that we are all busy with our own agenda, but I really try to give ample time for them to get me the data.  Part of this is my fault, because I have been so busy that I have not been able to go and offer my help.  Now that season is over, state testing begins.  So, I am really going to need to offer my help in order to obtain the data that I need.  I am trying to be considerate of other people’s time and responsibilities—after all, I am the one seeking the degree!

I am very excited about this project.  We have a very unique and diverse campus, ethnicity and economically, yet we are still very successful academically.  We have a saying a school, “From the outside in you can’t see it. And from the inside out, you can’t explain it.”  I work on a campus and within a school community that truly embraces partnerships.  We are all working together towards one goal, for EVERY child to be successful.  I could not imagine a better place to work. I am blessed to be a part of this school community.

Action Research Topic and Plan

I will identify economically disadvantaged sophomore students and compare the academic performance of those involved in extracurricular activities versus the nonparticipating economically disadvantaged students.  I will obtain this data from academic transcripts, attendance and discipline reports from the administration, and collaborate with coaches and sponsors of the activities.  It is my belief that students involved in one or more of the 17 sports, 7 fine arts programs or the 40+ clubs and organizations instill a sense of pride and belonging. Thus producing fewer attendance and discipline issues which in turn foster greater academic performance.

Action Research Plan
GOAL:  Prove that economically disadvantaged sophomore students who participate in extracurricular activities have greater academic success than the nonparticipating economically disadvantaged students.  Thus, providing the data to prove that Trinity High School needs to be proactive in getting students involved in the school community to improve academic performance and accountability ratings.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Collect data to identify sophomore economically disadvantaged students	Patti Callahan	January 1, 2013 - January 15, 2013	Report from administration that identifies students	Student data collected
Identify economically disadvantaged sophomore students involved in extracurricular activities and nonparticipating economically disadvantaged sophomore students	Patti Callahan	January 15, 2013 – May 31, 2013	Collaborate with counselors to obtain transcripts of students’ grades and EOC scores	Identify students that are economically disadvantaged involved in extracurricular activities
Identify economically disadvantaged sophomore students involved in clubs and organizations	Patti Callahan	January 15, 2013 – May 31, 2013	List of clubs and organizations.  Contact coaches and sponsors for a list of participating students	Identify students that are economically disadvantaged involved in clubs or organizations
Disaggregate grades and EOC scores for economically disadvantaged sophomore students	Patti Callahan	January 15, 2013 – May 31, 2013	Create excel spreadsheet of students’ grades from transcripts	Completed disaggregation of student data
Collect data from administrative report on discipline referrals for identified economically disadvantaged students. Disaggregate data of discipline referrals for sophomore economically disadvantaged students	Patti Callahan	May 1, 2013 – August 30, 2013	Create excel spreadsheet of students’ referrals	Completed disaggregation of student data
Collect data from administrative report on tardies for identified economically disadvantaged students. Disaggregate tardy data for sophomore economically disadvantaged sophomore students	Patti Callahan	May 1, 2013 – August 30, 2013	Create excel spreadsheet of students’ tardies	Completed disaggregation of student data

Collect data from administrative report on attendance for identified economically disadvantaged students. Disaggregate attendance data for sophomore economically disadvantaged sophomore students	Patti Callahan	May 1, 2013 – August 30, 2013	Create excel spreadsheet of students’ attendance	Completed disaggregation of student data
Determine whether extracurricular activities affects economically disadvantaged students’ academic performance (attendance, discipline, grades)	Patti Callahan	September 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013	Create a power point and reflection paper of results	Academic advantages of extracurricular activities for economically disadvantaged students determined
Review action research results with Trinity High School administration, and make recommendations to increase economically disadvantaged participation in extracurricular activities and to improve their academic performance and accountability rating	Patti Callahan	January 2014	Summary of action research.	Action research summary
Reflection	Patti Callahan	September 2013 – March 1, 2014	Action Research Plan Internship Plan	Review action research plan and internship plan

 

I have learned that action research is important to practice in life--not just in your professional career. We as human beings, at least I know I do, have an intrinsic desire to not make the same mistakes.  I want to be the best person that I can be in all aspects of my life.  Sometimes, our professional and personal worlds collide and then it becomes paramount to into action.  That is part of the problem.  Why wait until something cataclysmic happens before we start reflecting?
I know that inquiry has been a part of my life for a long time.  It began when I was younger and became more passionate about my true love, soccer.  I would CONSTANTLY think about ways to improve my game, I would seek coaching from everyone I came across, and I was never satisfied.  I strove to get better every day.  As a matter of fact, I always wore tennis shoes every where my family went just in case there was a chance I could play soccer.  
As I have grown older, this inquiry and reflection integrated itself into my life.  I do it in every aspect of my life--especially my personal relationships and my career.  Never satisfied--always room for improvement!

The Power of the Educational Blog

An educational blog is a medium that allows you to chronicle your thoughts and ideas instantly.  No more fleeting thoughts or “aha” moments that you forget because you lose the paper you jotted them down on.  Technology at your fingertips not only opened doors, it created new ones. 

On your unique personalized blog, you are the author, you have the choice to keep your thoughts private or feel the power of collaboration with your colleagues.  It is an open forum for expressing your thoughts, experiences, brainstorming, seeking advice, sharing advice, or even tooting your own horn. 

Each blog is like its own document that you can actively interact with your followers on.  The exciting aspect of this feature is that it allows you to revisit your ideas at a later date and refine or recreate them.  Sometimes, crucial insights on how something can come together only happen after you have revisited the idea on multiple occasions over time.

I believe one of the most beneficial aspects of the blog is it is a vehicle that allows you to clear your mind and body of the emotional and mental stress that can easily build in the education sector. It is a source of tremendous “release.”

In essence, the educational blog is a limitless tool for inquiry and professional growth.