When plans were made with my principal this summer
for the Action Research project we had several ideas to throw around. We
finally decided that working on our campus RTI process would be most
beneficial. I asked about beginning the year with a survey to see what improvements
teachers would like to see, and I had a few ideas of my own. Then, a few weeks
before our first teacher work day we had an Instructional Coordinator placed on
our campus. One of her main duties was to be chairperson for the RTI process
(our counselor had done these meetings previously). She agreed to let me send
the survey out to staff and see what responses we got. There was not a huge
percentage of returns, but one thing we did notice was the lack of knowledge on
how to enter data from the RTI meetings. Our new IC began looking over file
folders of papers kept from the RTI meetings and realized we were at least two
years behind! She showed me how to enter the data starting back at 2010, and we
have been working on all needed forms for each child. It would have been much
easier if it was done during, or after, each meeting. We have been sifting
through all kinds of paperwork, and some forms ask for uploaded and attached
documentation. Those have to be scanned onto a computer, then uploaded. These were
not my exact plans for working on the RTI process, but apparently it’s what our
campus needs right now!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Web Conference for September 5th, 2012
My reflection on the web conference with Dr. Joe Burns is positive, as all the web conferences have been. They are great at clarifying what paper work is needed, web addresses, assignments, and plans.
I was not connected through a web cam or headset, so as Dr. Burns went through the students that were connected I started taking notes. By the time he finished, I was reassured that some of my worries are also concerns of other students. We cleared up what papers are needed for the TK20 updates, and were told sometimes the titles of the pages change. I had been wondering before that why I had several different papers with similar names. He told us to be sure and keep logs updated, so when we are asked for them we're prepared! I was a little concerned about getting behind, or not getting things done in time (such as our Internship Activity Plan). Having a full class to teach (or three since I am departmentalized) is a lot of work on top of all the activities that need to be completed, documented, and reflected on. He reminded us not to get stressed and keep working at it! I thought it was interesting he said that most of those activities will be outside our "comfort zone" because I remember thinking that these are not things most teachers would do. My principal is kind enough to give me tasks that allow me to work on my Internship. This web conference was reassuring, and a great reminder to keep going hard!
I was not connected through a web cam or headset, so as Dr. Burns went through the students that were connected I started taking notes. By the time he finished, I was reassured that some of my worries are also concerns of other students. We cleared up what papers are needed for the TK20 updates, and were told sometimes the titles of the pages change. I had been wondering before that why I had several different papers with similar names. He told us to be sure and keep logs updated, so when we are asked for them we're prepared! I was a little concerned about getting behind, or not getting things done in time (such as our Internship Activity Plan). Having a full class to teach (or three since I am departmentalized) is a lot of work on top of all the activities that need to be completed, documented, and reflected on. He reminded us not to get stressed and keep working at it! I thought it was interesting he said that most of those activities will be outside our "comfort zone" because I remember thinking that these are not things most teachers would do. My principal is kind enough to give me tasks that allow me to work on my Internship. This web conference was reassuring, and a great reminder to keep going hard!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Improving the RTI process on our campus
It's comfirmed and final! I will begin working on improving the RTI process as soon as school starts this year. We will start off with a survey from the teachers to show satisfaction with our RTI process, and what improvements they would like to see this year. My principal just found out this week that we will have an Instructional Coordinator this year (similar to a Vice Principal in other districts). She will be the coordinator for all RTI meetings, and I have been given permission to meet with her and fill her in on my RTI ideas! I think it's great that I will have a helping hand as I work on the action research project!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Reflection on Week 2, Deciding on the Action Research Project
This week was spent learning about real life Action Research projects, checking out other people's ideas for their campus project, and narrowing down our choice. I really went back and forth on two different ideas: District wide Academic Vocabulary (all campuses have set words for each grade to work on), and improving the RTI process on our campus. I almost felt like working on the Academic Vocabulary wasn't a fair research project because the district is requiring us to do it, and therefore wasn't a choice I came up with on my own. I have been involved in the process since February of 2012 because I was asked to join the committe that created the word lists. While I am interested in this (and the results), it's not really a project that I am fully invested in.
After speaking with my principal, he confirmed that the RTI process would be most beneficial to our campus. I'm not sure how our campus strayed so far from the district's requirements for the RTI process, but teachers are frustrated that we have not had needed paperwork, documentation, and parent involvement. The RTI coordinator has a lot on her plate, but we (teachers) are the people dealing and working with the students who need help daily. If we are not prepared correctly then how are we to help these students that really need it? I feel like improving our RTI process will be most interesting to me, because I AM one of the frustrated teachers! I am vested in this project because I want it done correctly!
After speaking with my principal, he confirmed that the RTI process would be most beneficial to our campus. I'm not sure how our campus strayed so far from the district's requirements for the RTI process, but teachers are frustrated that we have not had needed paperwork, documentation, and parent involvement. The RTI coordinator has a lot on her plate, but we (teachers) are the people dealing and working with the students who need help daily. If we are not prepared correctly then how are we to help these students that really need it? I feel like improving our RTI process will be most interesting to me, because I AM one of the frustrated teachers! I am vested in this project because I want it done correctly!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Action Research
I have learned that action research involves principals and/or teachers deciding what is needed on their campus, and then making a plan to put into action. Instead of using a source that is outside the campus, teachers and principals take the research into their own hands. They seek out the needed changes, collect and analyze the data, and take action. The teachers and principal are more involved when they are the ones implementing a plan, rather than just being told what to do.
I can think of several issues my principal and I have discussed. Things that need to be improved or worked on, and I know he will jump right in with me and help be part of the process! For example, we would like to start a Campus Committee that involves the principal, teachers, parent volunteers, and part of our campus community to collaborate on our campus plan. With collaboration we can all voice concerns and needs for our Campus Improvement Plan.
Another action research plan involves improving our RTI meetings. Teachers have not always started off the school year with the correct paperwork to begin the RTI process. We will have a new "head" RTI person this year, and as a teacher on the campus I want to start the year off right and have needed papers in my hand. Also, it has been discussed that parents should be invited even to the first meeting when a teacher has a concern for a student. In the past, parents have been invited to the meeting when a child is on Tier 3 (or highest concern level). We want to improve this! Last, there should be more follow through with the teacher after meetings instead of wishing them luck and meeting again in two or three months!
Educational leaders can use blogs to collaborate on ideas or action research that is already started. Maybe someone on another campus similar to mine has a great program they have already used and found success! It seems teachers are always looking for new ideas, and a blog is a good place to read up on success stories.
I can think of several issues my principal and I have discussed. Things that need to be improved or worked on, and I know he will jump right in with me and help be part of the process! For example, we would like to start a Campus Committee that involves the principal, teachers, parent volunteers, and part of our campus community to collaborate on our campus plan. With collaboration we can all voice concerns and needs for our Campus Improvement Plan.
Another action research plan involves improving our RTI meetings. Teachers have not always started off the school year with the correct paperwork to begin the RTI process. We will have a new "head" RTI person this year, and as a teacher on the campus I want to start the year off right and have needed papers in my hand. Also, it has been discussed that parents should be invited even to the first meeting when a teacher has a concern for a student. In the past, parents have been invited to the meeting when a child is on Tier 3 (or highest concern level). We want to improve this! Last, there should be more follow through with the teacher after meetings instead of wishing them luck and meeting again in two or three months!
Educational leaders can use blogs to collaborate on ideas or action research that is already started. Maybe someone on another campus similar to mine has a great program they have already used and found success! It seems teachers are always looking for new ideas, and a blog is a good place to read up on success stories.
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