Projects #9, 17, 29, and 32 Mentor: Helga Bernard, Ph. D. Clark County School District School Improvement and Research

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT? Teachers who research and document their use of instructional strategies become reflective practitioners and can contribute greatly to school improvement plan goals and to their own growing body of knowledge about improving the quality of their own professional practice in a collaborative environment. Reflective practitioners can: Address an issue in a curriculum area Introduce an innovation Evaluate a teaching technique or curriculum change Conduct action research in a systematic form of exploring a problem or practice to understand and improve the quality of instruction.

ACTION RESEARCH CYCLE There are four basic steps in the action research cycle: The Clark County School District (CCSD) defines action research as a self-reflective process of researching one’s own educational practices with the purpose of understanding and improving the quality of instruction. Action research is systematic inquiry. Following specific steps insures quality data collection and analysis, which leads to valid outcomes. Action research is also iterative, meaning it is an ongoing cycle. While answering one question, others arise begging to be investigated. As one CCSD action researcher has said, “Action research is personal professional development.” Source: CCSD Research Department website.

PROJECT #9 Research Question: How to improve students with low reading level scores by providing parent training on oral reading and comprehension strategies? IMPLEMENT Professional Data SourcesStudent Data Sources Parent: Letter to parents Reading Inventory survey 3 reading strategies to practice at home taught in class to students. Teacher: Reflections made by teacher Improved reading logs Baseline Data: Last year interim scores DIBELS AR/Star Reading Classroom Data: Reading logs Dec. Interim scores ORF fluency(Dibels benchmark) PLAN Professional Practice to Change 2 nd Grade, Ullom ES Increase parental involvement by providing specific reading strategies to parents to help improve parent-teacher partnerships. DATA ANALYSIS & REFLECTIONS The insights I have gained thus far are: that my ability to motivate students through extrinsic daily rewards are huge; parents and students can practice strategies at home to affect comprehension development.

PROJECT #17 Research Question : What strategies can parents learn during a Parent Student Literacy Training sessions to help their children improve reading achievement? IMPLEMENT Professional Data SourcesStudent Data Sources Parents: 5 Big Ideas Phonics Phonemic awareness Vocabulary Comprehension Fluency Parent Survey Parent conferences Parent Journals Teacher: Teacher Portfolio Parent Portfolio Training agendas Sign-in sheets Training calendar Teacher reflection Baseline Data: DIBELS oral and reading comprehension scores Interim Scores Classroom Data: Student work Report cards Homework PLAN Professional Practice to Change 2 nd Grade, Mendoza ES Equip parents with the necessary skills and strategies so they can help their children increase reading achievement at home. DATA ANALYSIS & REFLECTIONS What insights have you gained about your professional practice at this point? The insights I have gained thus far are:

PROJECT #29 Research Question: Which reading comprehension strategies may impact increased student achievement in reading? IMPLEMENT Professional Data SourcesStudent Data Sources Teacher: HQSI strategies SIP Reading Goals Interviews Lesson plans Classroom Observations Baseline Data: Spanish LAS LINKS Interim Assessments Classroom Data: Student Journals PLAN Professional Practice to Change Grades 1-3, Walker International Dual Language Program To support academic outcomes and educational opportunities for all students involved in the Dual Language Program by promoting effective in an effort to increase content comprehension. DATA ANALYSIS & REFLECTIONS What insights have you gained about your professional practice at this point? The insights I have gained thus far are:

PROJECT #32 Research Question: How does a writing conventions coding system, implemented across all subject areas, impact student writing proficiency as measured by the Nevada Writing Assessment. IMPLEMENT Professional Data SourcesStudent Data Sources Teacher: Writing convention poster to be posted in each content area classroom Monthly writing prompts: Standards 5.5.4, 5.5.5, and Researched-based lessons Baseline: Nevada Writing Proficiency scores Classroom Data: Monthly writing Prompt Writing rubric Student work records Pre/Post implementation student survey PLAN Professional Practice to Change 5 th grade, Harmon ES How does a writing conventions coding system, implemented across all subject areas, impact student writing proficiency as measured by the Nevada Writing Assessment. DATA ANALYSIS & REFLECTIONS What insights have you gained about your professional practice at this point? The insights I have gained thus far are: