Discussion 1:

Please view the video and discuss what Action Research is and how Action Research can be beneficial.

State the Problem: How is the problem (topic) identified? Use data:

· Accountability data

· Student Grades

· Formative and Summative Assessments

· District Benchmarks

(meet expectations)

Proposed Topic

Improving the Reading Comprehension Skills of ninth-grade Student through Effective Reading Strategies.

Rationale

This action research project will be conducted to improve the students reading comprehension through effective reading strategies, which will be identified through a literature review. I chose this topic because based on the reading scores of my students, they are performing below grade level in reading.
[although this student did not indicate the data source; most likely, the reading scores from an informal reading inventory (or the school accountability data) were used.]

(above expectations)

Proposed topic: Improving Performance in Mathematics of Eighth Grade Students

Rationale for Topic Selection

The purpose of this proposed project is to improve the mathematics performance of eighth grade students at the proposed target school. The setting for this proposed project will be a middle school located in an urban area of South Florida. The community population consists of 2,554,766 according to the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau, with a per capita income of $22,957. The ethnic groups which comprise the community include approximately 63% Hispanic Americans, 20% Black Americans, (Non-Hispanic) White Americans 15%, and 2% Asian Americans. The School district consists of 55 high schools, 59 middle schools and 172 elementary schools. District enrollment is approximately 356,086 at the time of this project.

The State of Florida annually assesses student performance in Reading, Mathematics and

Science and writing through administration of the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT). The mathematics test is scored by levels ranging from a low score of Level 1 to a high score of Level 5. A Level 3 is considered “meeting expectations,” and schools are expected to show that at least 50% of the students meet that expectation. From 2008 to 2010 the mathematics scores and skills of the eighth-grade students at the target middle school have been steadily declining (see

Table 1

). Basically, the problem is that eighth grade students are performing below grade level in mathematics.

Table 1

Results of Eighth Grade, 2008 – 2010, Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test

Students

Year

Expectation

Observation

Discrepancy

8th Grade
N = 30

2010

50% or more will score a Level 3 or higher

27%

23%

8th Grade
N = 30

2009

50% or more will score a Level 3 or higher

32%

18%

8th Grade
N = 30

2008

50% or more will score a Level 3 or higher

39%

11%

Source. Florida Department of Education – Demographics Report

This is my classmate response Please do not plagiarize their work.

Vickie

Action research is a process designed to collect, analyze, and reflect on data related to instructional practices and learning outcomes. Teachers, with the assistance of a facilitator, carry out the action research in the classroom setting. The process involves collecting data to reflect on the inquired instructional practices and learning outcomes. Action research is a long process and focuses on at least one of the school development plan’s elements (Action Research in Education., 2014, 0:32-01:33).

One of the benefits of action research is that teachers can collect data within the classroom setting and reflect on it. Furthermore, action research provides schools with support and guidance in developing expert teachers and identifying effective instructional practices to promote learning (Action Research in Education., 2014, 02:11-04:01).

Tina

According to the video What is action research?, great teachers always experiment in order to make necessary decisions when planning and implementing their daily lessons.  In order to determine what teaching strategies are most successful and benefit all students, a teacher uses data and research to develop a plan of action.  This method of constant data analysis and research is known as Action Research. 

Action Research is the process in which teachers, like scientist, propose a question, test a strategy, gather data and finally determine if it works through active practice.  Action research happens simultaneously usually during a school year in order for teachers to determine if the research and theory actually work for those students.  Being that action research begins with inquiry most often the planning and inquiry phase can happen during a PLC as teachers work together to analyze data to create a flexible plan that can be tested.  Teachers may adapt a research based test, in order to design an implementation plan using research. 

The benefits of Action research is that since the process is happening while teachers are having interactions with students, teachers are able to determine if it is working or if changes need to be made to benefit students.  Each year  you may get a different type of learner in your classroom and therefore the constant and active process of researching, planning, implementing and assessing helps teachers and students to learn as much as they can in order to make learning gains.