a.    Title

Can we raise the success of ELL students on our campus by training teachers in effective hands-on activities, skills, and strategies?  

b.    Needs Assessment

The need for improvement on my campus was determined by looking at the previous year’s TAKS scores, BOY, MOY, and EOY benchmark scores, and report card grades of the ELL students in grades 1 through 5. In all reports, the ELL students performed below average with only 45% passing the 2010 Reading TAKS test and 58% passing the 2010 Math TAKS test.

c.    Objectives and Vision of the action research project.

The goal of the action research project is to provide teachers the strategies and skills needed using hands-on activities in order for them to effectively reach the Ell students in their classrooms. By the teachers understanding the needs and implementing effective lessons for their ELL students, the students will achieve academic success with 90% or more passing the 2011 Reading and Math STAAR test.

d.    Review of the Literature and Action Research Strategy

      Review recent literature related to the topic of your research project. The research should support why your action research plan would be described as a best practice or possible solution to improving achievement or culture. The review of the literature should be written in APA style with a reference page listing the sources. Explain the decision making process for implementing the action research project. Who was involved? What was considered? What decisions were made? (5 points)

At this time I have not completed an effective Literature Review from this action research project.

e.    Articulate the Vision

During the last 15 minutes of a regularly scheduled monthly staff meeting, I presented a PowerPoint to the administration, teachers, and paraprofessionals on my campus. I outlined the need for improvement, the time involved in implementing the improvement, and the data collection process I would be using to evaluate the project. Because teachers would not be paid or receive district professional development credit for participating in the project, I asked for at least one volunteer from each grade level to participate and report information back to their team.

f.     Manage the organization

The ELPS committee is responsible for selecting an individual’s duties and responsibilities during the project. The management of time, materials, and monies is determined during bi-weekly meetings. The priority of the committee is to ensure all steps and processes put forth by the project enhance or benefits the success of all students. Each member of the committee puts the needs and success of the students first by asking “is this best for students?”

g.    Manage Operations

To lead the operations of the project, I chose individuals for the ELPS committee who I felt were strong leaders on the campus and committed to helping students become successful.  Before committee meetings, an agenda is emailed to committee members. They are asked to respond with any items they would like to add to the agenda before the meetings. During meetings, data regarding teacher and student progress and processes are reviewed in order to determine the next steps in our project. When scheduling or ideas seem to be at a conflict between members of the committee, the entire committee works together to resolve issues by determining what is best for the students.

h.    Respond to Community Interest and Needs

This action research project will serve the needs of the ELL students on my campus. Most of these students fall into more than one of the subpopulations at-risk at my campus. These sub-groups include the populations of Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Economically Disadvantaged.