What are your thoughts and suggestions.....
Is there correlation between extra-curricular spending and higher achievement on standardized tests?
ACTION STEP 1 Examining the work
Discussion with stakeholders, my mentor and principal we looked at 3 issues that dominate our work environment. The three inquiries were discipline, African American Male achievement and extra-curricular spending. After discussion and reflection, We decided to look at is there correlation between extra-curricular spending and higher achievement on standardized tests? This is a hot topic considering today’s shrinking educational budgets. Where do you cut? Invest? Add/Drop programs? These are issues that should be answered by this action plan. It benefits administrators and people who have to deal with defending their budgets. It also could give more/less worth to these programs.
ACTION STEP 2 Analyzing data, Developing deeper understanding
Gather the data from Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Houston ISD and Humble ISD on their extra-curricular spending. We will also pull TAKS scores and look AEIS and AYP data. We will also look at the district websites to pull information on test scores as well. Bernie Mulvaney will be responsible for collecting the required information for this action plan. Timeline: To have all information by 8/3/10. We will need a computer, calculator, phone and email. I will evaluate if my contacts will come through in these school districts. If I have my information on or prior to 8/3/10, it will be successful. This also will give me an opportunity to understand other school districts processes. This will also give a chance at understanding on how easy or hard it is to get this information. It will also give me an understanding on how people (school districts) handle and organize their information.
ACTION STEP 3 Engaging in Self-Reflection, Exploring Programmatic Patterns
Evaluate the data that has been gathered. We will look at TAKS test scores as district, SAT & ACT scores. We will evaluate spending on extra-curriculars as a whole and per pupil. Compare and contrast each and every school district with spending compared to test scores. Bernie Mulvaney will be in charge of disaggregating the data. We will need calculators and binders to keep the information organized. Is there a correlation in spending? Do some school districts spend significantly more than others per pupil? What can I infer from the data? What data is also needed? Add other school Districts? Are there gaps? Timeline: 8/12/10. I will evaluate if we need more data to complete the action plan. Constant re-evaluation. This will allow me a deeper understanding of this issue. I will also self-reflect on where we are in the process. There should be growth in the issue from looking at the data. This data breakdown needs time to be evaluated and processed. We will then reflect at some of the questions above or others that present themselves.
ACTION STEP 4 Determining direction
Explore the data and determine the direction. We will assess the data and decide on the next step. Either way we will have enough data to give us an idea if there is a correlation. This can also take us in a new direction based on the data. Time line: 8/14/10. We will reflect on the data and decide to stay the course and add more school districts to get a better picture or we can possibly narrow the topic or broaden it. Reflection will help us in this process. The evaluation of the data and the process will be how we evaluate this step.
ACTION STEP 5 Taking action for school improvement
Use data to help with school improvement. Bernie Mulvaney, my mentor, Andy Shrobel, and principal Nancy Blackwell will be in charge of taking the information and using that data to take action to improve our school. Timeline: 8/15/10 - On-going. We want to re-evaluate the data on spending and achievement at least quarterly. Monthly if at all possible. Evaluation on this will be if there ends up being extra spending or less spending on extra-curriculars depending on what the data shows. Resources that are needed are our stakeholders to help reflect and decide the direction. This research should provide insight to our spending patterns and if extra-curriculars are over or under funded. Taking this information we can take action and ask for more funding for these programs or cut back on these programs.
ACTION STEP 6 Sustaining improvement
Constant reflection, inquiry, and looking for improvement. What can we show to save extra-curricular spending? Reflection of the data as well as any increase or decrease of spending for these activities. Timeline:8/15/10 - On-going, school improvement is a never ending battle. Bernie Mulvaney, Andy Shrobel, for and Nancy Blackwell will be the people responsible for this part of the action plan. The needed resource for this step is the school budget. Ultimately, we are looking to have continuous improvement. That is why an action plan should have time for reflection and should always be ongoing. Improvement is a never ending process. This is where some get in trouble. They think they have things perfect and put improvement on the back burner. This why the focus is on taking the results of this research and use it to sustain improvement.
