1. Action Research Proposal EDU 671 Fundamentals of Education Research Instructor: Susan Hughes By. T. Lee February 17, 2014

2. Area of Focus The purpose of this action research proposal is to investigate different ways to: Improve Academic Achievement Control Negative Behaviors Increase Grade Promotion Decrease use of stimulant medications among students Build Self esteem in students

3. Explanation of Problem Teacher’s fall behind scheduled curriculums Many children misdiagnosed with ADHD Stimulant medications (side effects) Children high in the classroom Home/Class work assignments incomplete Trouble concentrating Disruptive students Violent behaviors Stereotype

4. Variables Age Race Gender Family History

5. Research Question Can behavioral modification charts work just as effective for students with ADHD if she or he is not taking stimulant medication? – According to Chang Hsin-Hsin, author of Journal of Nursing states that “drug treatment combined with behavior treatment apparently approves the daily behaviors of hyperactive children” (Hsin, et. all., Journal of Nursing Article, 2007,p. 147-155).

6. Locus of Control Behavior’s can be change Useful for both children with disabilities and regular students. Promotes learning Enhances enthusiasm

7. Behavior Modification chart Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Green Red YellowGreen Yellow Green

8. Behavior Modification Charts cont…. According to ADDitude Editors, it states that there is a solution to the classroom for ADHD “Tape behavior cards to their desks, prepare kids for transition, be prepared for impulsive reaction, post expected behavior for younger children” (Unknown, Unknown)

9. Intervention/Innovation Interviews Surveys (teacher/parent/students) Study will be conducted over a 4 week period Effective for misdiagnosis of behavior Promotes Learning Increase grade Promotion instead of grade repeat This study will build confidence Consent to participate Record book (teacher) Weekly Log (teacher) Weekly home notes (parent communication) Behavior Modification chart

10. Group Membership Researcher / facilitator Teacher (1 science, 1 math, 1 English) Teacher Assistant (nurse) Evaluation (principal)

11. Negotiations Participants Mild/moderate ADHD Need clearance from doctor to skip medication

12. Ethics Race Gender Protection Privacy Consents Parents can withdraw at any time According to Dr. David B. Resnick, JD, Ph.d., Bioethics, he states that the reason why it is important to consider ethnics is so that there are no errors in misrepresentation, fabricating or falsifying, data; the important thing is to promote the truth” (Resnick, What is ethics in Research and why is it important, 2011).

13. Timeline Meet with teachers to make a proposal Vote on Participates that will participate Send signed consents home with parents Gather Information on students that will participate Meet with students Week 1 Give Assessment to student while medicated Observe behaviors as students are taking assessments Observe negative behaviors Give positive praise for completed assessments Week 2 Give assessment to students Without medication Observe behaviors as students are taking assessment Observe fidgeting and starring Give rewards for completed assessments on time Week 3 Administer assessment again Have students control impulses with rewards and positive reinforcement Have students control outburst Give rewards for completed homework and positive reinforcement for late homework Week 4 Gather all information from, interviews, surveys, and questionnaires Have meeting with parents and teachers Discuss problems with teacher and parents Call meeting with parents to discuss finding in investigation that could help outside of the classroom

14. Timeline An example of positive reinforcement: Exhibited behavior: to see if children with ADHD can control their impulses in the classroom. Consequences: receive praise from the teacher and their parents; tokens are rewarded and gift certificates. Probable future effect on behavior: Children will remember that they can manage their impulsive behaviors on their own. Example of Negative reinforcement: Taking away special privileges, activities, and placed time out.

15. Statement of Resources Approval form Administrators State Approval for requirement in all states Reviewed by other research professionals

16. Data Collection Students will be observed; there will be note taking; interviews and observation of student tests, and classroom work. Journals, books, scholarly sources (American Psychological Association). Internet Cynthia Pratt Ph.D recommends what is called the (Antecedent, Behavior Consequences) A-B-C data simply because it is the direct observation format because you have to observe the behavior as it occurs” ( Pratt, 2011).

17. Data Collection Cont… Research Question Data Collection Tool Why this tool? Justify its use in your study. How does it match with what you are attempting to find and to measure? How to decrease student-drop-out rate. How can administrators and teachers motivate learning Observation 1. Teacher Observation 2. Student Survey 3. Parent Interview 1. Online research projects and less homework and more class discussion 2. Research questions 3. Writing tests 4 th grade Homework Assignments and achievement scores. Since teachers are the observers in the classroom He or she can document what is seen in the classrooms when tests, exams are administered and how many students actually complete their home work assignments. Each student has a different way of learning and are not book smart like most students. So instead of assigning tons of homework from a test book, there should be less paper homework and more research projects to engage students thinking. Additionally, there should be more oral presentations to make sure students understand the projects. Homework assignments from average and below average students, plus high school exams and state wide graduation tests are valid tools to judge a students comprehension.

18. Detailed Explanation In my course of study, I learned that the more information you have such as participants of teachers, parents and student, the more successful your study. Most people may fell that when you make a proposal to school administrators, the researchers might feel somewhat intimidated on account the administrator, principal might reject the proposal because it had been proposed before and was incomplete. I’m confident that my study is the plan that will implement change because of people participation and there is a serious need for change with children with disabilities, especially brain disorders like ADHD. ADHD is so common in this generation and more are diagnosed with this condition; it is not the teachers fault that children with ADHD cannot focus in the classroom, but their disability does have a tendency to cause teachers to fall behind schedule.

19. Detailed Explanation Cont… Many of the children who are diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed stimulant medications, usually drop out of school when the medications are discontinued for whatever reasons, the have a tenancy to abuse drugs later in their teenage years or adult years. As most of the students grow older they focus the blame on the teacher and claim “My teacher didn’t teach me nothing, or I didn’t learn a thing in school, Or My school did not prepare me for college.” My plan Behavioral Modification plan will give kids with ADHD responsibility to complete assignments, and control their impulsive behaviors without being disruptive or violent.

20. References: ADDitude Editor, (2013) Impulse Control: Helping ADHD Students Manage Their Behaviors ADHD children often get in trouble for acting on their impulses. Find techniques for home and school that will help children with attention deficit disorder learn to rein in bad behaviors. http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6006-2.html# Hsin, C., et. all., (2007) The Journal of Nursing research (Taiwan Nurses Association). Jun2007, Vol. 15 Issue 2, p147-154. 8p http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy-library.ashford.edu/eds Mills, G. E. (2014). Action research: A guide for the teacher researcher (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Pratt, C., & Dubie, M. (2008). Observing behavior using a-b-c data. The Reporter, 14(1), 1-4. - See more at: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/?pageId=444#sthash.nyriXVrw.dpuf http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/?pageId=444#sthash.nyriXVrw.dpuf Resnick, D., (2011) What is Ethinic Research and Why is it Important? National Institute of Environmental Sciences Last Reviewed June 2013. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/