Action Research Draft Plan

At-risk students overcoming adversity both in academics as well as in extra curricular activities

Draft Plan
submitted by: Stephanie Lyle

Goals and objectives:
1) Define at-risk student population
2) Select case study from extra-curricular contents of dance, band, choir
3) Identify common denominators for success in at-risk students
4) Validate student’s primary obstacle consisting of: financial, parental, emotional, and/or societal challenges.

Target Population:
Selected case study of at-risk students will be in grades 10, 11, 12 cross sector of extra-curricular activities including dance, band, choir

Activities designed to achieve the objectives
1) Gather data from Economically Disadvantaged List provided by Associate Principal to locate number of at-risk (ED) students in dance, band and choir. This report will also include free/reduced lunch data as well as residential coding
2) Interview Director of Instruction, lead counselor and behavioral intervention specialist to analyze predominate common threads
3) Survey Monkey for Fine Art extra-curricular students (dance, band, choir, theater, speech/debate, video-tech, art, journalism) posing questions in regard to intrinsic motivation, drive, willingness to excel
4) Part II survey monkey for entire group of dance, band, choir students to compare/contrast answers in non at-risk population vs. at-risk population. Determine if achievement pattern is equitable specifically in motivation, drive, and will
5) Observe rehearsals and practices
6) Analyze attendance data, discipline data and academic data for selected sample case study
7) Survey Fine Art department teachers to identify testimonials
8) Discussion group (focus group) of CFISD dance team directors sharing success stories of at-risk students. What, how, why in their opinion did the student succeed?


Resources and research tools needed for data gathering
1) Selected case study progress reports, report cards, attendance and discipline data
2) Student resumes
3) Journal articles
4) Magazine articles
5) Personal interviews for campuses
6) Bill Daggett- International Educational Foundation newsletter
7) NASSP’s newsletter
8) Texas Dance Educator’s Association Executive Board consultation
9) Survey Katy ISD ‘Leaders to the End’ email group from dance team district social training
10) Analyze data from student, director and colleague surveys

Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities
September 2010-June 2011

Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan:
Stephanie Lyle, Fine Arts Department Chair, dance team director
Stephanie Meshell, Associate Principal
Martin Drayton, Assistant Principal liaison for Fine Arts
Larry Matysiak, Director of Secondary Music, Cypress Fairbanks ISD

Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives:
Personal mentor/mentee meetings with selected case study once a six weeks
Director journal entries
Interview with case study group (invite parents to attend)
Celebrate successes and attend concerts, performances, and shows
Analyzing academic reports each six weeks to monitor grade consistencies
District focus group continuation at mid-term to share, blog, re-connect


Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study
At-risk counseling team meetings lead by campus counselors
District leadership council
Case study testimonials
Student Evaluations and Exit- level performance evaluations for dance, band, choir
Individual student recognition for leadership, performance and academics
Potential scholarship recipient (s) of selected case study
Create out-reach for at-risk students involved in extra-curriculars (add to Campus Improvement Plan) where 12th grade students mentor incoming 9th grade students

Week Two Reflection

I feel like leadership and individual student needs are two primary areas for administrator attention. I also enjoyed hearing from the administrator interviews in part 1 of the assignment. One step closer to embarking on research- topic is finalized: What factors cause at-risk students to overcome adversity both in the educational setting as well as the extra-curricular setting?

How can educational leaders effectively use blogs?

I believe blogging and technology is becoming more popular and widespread. Blogging is a way for teachers to communicate in several ways: to students, parents, colleagues and to fellow administrators. Blogging is effective in facilitating higher level thinking. It enables reflection, analysis and cognitive rationale. Educational leaders can use blogging to keep up with commentary and FAQ among staff, students and parents. Campus websites can also be a source for blogging.

Action Research

I have learned action research is accessible and working to make schools and staff more successful. I believe in teamwork and team effort. I also firmly believe in collaboration. Action research brings about change as well as reflection and action. It enables schools and leaders to move forward and make progess in specific areas, both personally as well as professionally.

I feel like action research can be very useful as an administrator. I have already witnessed this process working on my campus. Not only in universtiy coursework, but also in district meetings, leadership teams, and professional learning communities.

I predict I would like to use action research to problem solve campus issues. From content, to staff development, to student needs- I see action research as a means to find resolution and make my campus as successful as it can be.

I also find action research to be beneficial in building staff morale. Teachers need to feel comfort and pleasure in their workplace. Teachers need to feel valued and respected. I hope to use action research to build and foster a system to give teachers input and work to communicate effectively. Happy teachers make good choices for their classroom, spreading positivity and enthusiasm to their students.