Action Research Progress

My action research plan is about students who were RTI in kindergarten and now are in 1^st grade. These students were struggling in reading. These students are reading way below grade level. The goal is to provide these students with the tools they need to be reading at read level at grade level or above. Students were tested and were unable to recognize all letters and sounds. There are 8 students, who were referred to this intervention plan at the end of last year. Out of the 8 students only 5 returned this school year. These students were tested by their teachers, and received copies of their progress reports. I wanted to meet with the teachers every 3 weeks, but time is keeping me from doing this. I have not been able to observe students in their literacy centers. I spoke to my site supervisor and we agreed that maybe observing three times a six weeks and meeting with the teacher every 6 weeks. I had a chance to observe the 5 students in their literacy centers. One student was RTI for behavior issues not academic. So I actually only have 4 students I am monitoring for now. I am waiting to how many students are in need for RTI services after the 1^st six weeks.  I am planning to provide some must do for these students like letter/sound recognition. They are still lacking the phonics foundation. Students will also provide with some exercises in word family. I will also have them work on speed with these words. Things seem to be moving fast this school year and slow at the same time.

Week 5 Reflection

Lectures: The lectures were informative towards our research plans , but the camera angle needs to change a bit.
Readings: The books for this course were really helpful. These books helped me channel my ideas in the right direction.
Assignments and activities: The assignments were straightforward for this course. The assignments were in order of how to piece and finalize your research questions and how to plan to research it. 
Discussion Board: The discussions board had a lot for reflection on my part.
Blogs: This was the best part of this course. I really enjoyed reading other people posts and comments.  This gave me a chance to interact with my classmates. I'm just hoping the blogging doesn't stop with this course.

Revision of Action Research Plan

Goal: To help improve students reading skills in 1^st  who have been RTI. To make sure RTI program is implemented correctly. The goal is at the end of 1^st  grade, these students will be on or above grade level.

Question: How are RTI students receiving differentiated instruction during literacy groups and centers?

Action Steps:	Person Responsible:	Time start/end:	Needed Resources:	Evaluation:
1. Research RTI program and acquire information about the students who have been RTI in 1st   grade.	Amanda Ybarra	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.
2. Meet with the teachers with students who are RTI and review students plan.	Amanda Ybarra	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.
3. Meet with teachers every 3 weeks.	Amanda Ybarra	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.
4.  Provide best strategies for student success and help close their educational gaps.	Amanda Ybarra, principal, and staff	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.
5. Share results with school.	Amanda Ybarra, principal, and staff	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.

Week 3 Rough Draft Action Research

Goal: To help improve students reading skills in 1^st and 2^nd who have been RTI. To make sure RTI program is implemented correctly. The goal is at the end of 1^st and 2^nd grade, these students will be on or above grade level.

Question: How are RTI students receiving differentiated instruction during literacy groups and centers?

Action Steps:	Person Responsible:	Time start/end:	Needed Resources:	Evaluation:
1. Research RTI program and acquire information about the students who have been RTI in 1st and 2nd.	Amanda Ybarra	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.
2. Meet with the teachers with students who are RTI and review students plan. Meet with teachers every 3 weeks.	Amanda Ybarra	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.
3.  Provide best strategies for student success and help close their educational gaps. Share results with school.	Amanda Ybarra, principal, and staff	Start research in August 2013 and end June 2014	Internet, professional education, counselor, principal	Students will be on or above grade level at the end of their school year.

Week 2 Blog Reflection

There was alot of things to do this week. First, let me talk about the three school leaders. Each one had realistic ideas and from those ideas can create other research action plans. I like the analogy that Dr. Chargois says he describes learning to a growing tree. Learning never stop no matter your education. I learned our job as administrator is to not settle and not to be ok with average.
After reading chapter 2 and completing each of the nine area of wondering. I learned all the areas of questioning and resolving through different action research plans. I don't have lots of experience in leadership so my mind is opening to all the areas . I really didn't realize exactly what goes into being an administrator.  I learned that action research plan affect students, teachers, custodians, and administrators. I realized that some of my staff development are what Dana says as "sit and get" or "spray and pray". This is so true. I can remember tons of professional development where I left with little to use. Action research gives us the opportunity to explore what is important to us and be involved to the action research plan.  I'm a mom/teacher, I'm always looking for ways to improve in school and home life. We also have action research plans we follow and create. It may not be as formal, but it is still unique to our needs.

Educational leaders might use blogs

Educational leaders can benefit from using blogs as a way to communicate with teachers. The educational leader can post a question and the teachers can recommend or suggest their ideas. A blog creates an immediate on-going discussion related to a specific topic. An educational leader can also communicate with other educational leaders to bounce back ideas. These leaders can be from the same city to maybe a different state. An educational leader might use the blog as a personal journal to reflect back on. I’m not familiar with blogging, but I am willing to give it a try.

What I learned about Action Research

As I finished my reading assignment, I really started analyzing and thinking about what problem or issue that I could create an action research study. In public schools there are many problems or issues that need improvement. I learned that action research promotes collaboration, communication and analysis common problems or concerns in a school. Educators identify a problem, research, use data collection and analysis, report results, reflect, find a solution and implement action to improve the problem or situation. I learned that being a leader in a school setting is hard when it come to action research because of time. I learned that I need to make time in my busy schedule to make improvement where there is a need. I learned that as an administrator time must be of an essence in order to inquiry and reflect on a problem that needs improvement or change to reflect the school in a positive manner and continue to have a shared common vision of that school or classroom. The issue that stays in my mind is the students who are moving up in grade levels and have gaps in their foundation (education). Each year the gap gets bigger and the following year teacher is trying to teach and play caught up at the same time. What can be done for those students to completely close the gap not just try to fill it? Another issue can be classroom management. Classroom management can play a big role on learning in the classroom. I know this coming school year our focus will be reading since our campus didn’t make AYP. Maybe my action plan will be a reading component.