Progress Report

Week 3 Assignment, Part 3

Draft Action Research Project Progress Report

Web-Based Learning for Reading Improvement

Needs Assessment

            Our Intermediate campus has identified a need for a reading intervention program due to below average reading scores on diagnostic reading inventories, fluency tests, benchmarks, and achievement tests. We have collaboratively concluded that an interventional web-based reading program would be beneficial in meeting the needs of these students by allowing us to systematically monitor progress, performance, and growth overtime.  Therefore, as a campus success initiative, we have purchased a cost effective program called Lexia Learning. This program will assist in answering the following question: What improvement will struggling readers show with the implementation of a web-based reading program?

The purpose of this action research is to determine if the implementation of the web-based Lexia Learning program will head reading improvements for our struggling readers.  The proposed action research has been a collaborative effort with collective input from teachers and administration.  The targeted population has been identified as students who are one to two grade levels below their grade equivalency in grades 3-5, English Language Learners, and students displaying dyslexic tendencies or identified as dyslexic.  This would include approximately 170 male and female students primarily of Hispanic ethnicity being that the student population is 97% Hispanic.  Once fully implemented, students will attend a Lexia Learning computer lab for the duration of 20-30 minutes on a daily basis.

Objectives and Vision of the action research project. (ELCC 1.1)

            In order to assist my school in improving reading skill for struggling readers, I propose to follow the steps in my Action Research Planning Template and Timeline. The template will be effective as of February 6, 2012 and will continue through May 2013.  I will make periodic appointments with my site supervisor in order to communicate projected goals, implementation, and findings.  The objectives and vision were further developed in order to assist students, teachers, and administrators with a web-based reading program that has been aligned with strategies to assist in improving our overall RTI process while addressing the interventional needs of our struggling readers.  The action research will further support the reduction of the number of students reading below grade-level on our STAR Reading Assessment which is administered at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic school year.  It is my hope that the proposed action research will head positive results in the area of reading improvement for our struggling readers.

Review of the Literature and Action Research Strategy (LCC 2.3)

In an effort to identify supportive literature in the area of research, I propose to find at least 6-8 supportive articles for future use in my final action research report.  

The area of Reading continues to be an area of weakness for many of our students.  It has been a campus concern that many of the students entering our Intermediate campus serving grades 3-5 are reading at least one to two grade-levels below on the STAR Reading diagnostic test.  This concern lead to my action research inquiry, as well as possible steps that could be taken in order to increase reading skills in for our students to better prepare them for state assessments and future reading success.  

In order to take positive action, I proposed various research topics related to student improvement in reading.  This proposition was made during our regularly scheduled faculty meetings where teachers were given the opportunity to collaboratively discuss possible topics and strategies for reading improvement.  Because communication is a key indicator to success, I made sure to involve all possible stakeholders including: administrators, teachers, para professional staff, and our campus counselor.  As a collaborative effort, we considered various web-based reading programs that would assist in the monitoring, data collection, assessment, and support for our struggling readers.  After careful consideration, a decision was made to purchase the web-based Lexia Learning program.  Once the program is fully implemented, we will periodically report student progress to parents in an effort to promote their involvement in their child’s education, as well as promote two-way communication.   

Articulate the Vision (ELCC 1.2)

          In order to support the action research and articulate my vision, I have conducted various Professional Learning Community meetings where student data and program implementation has been addressed.  I have also provided teachers with necessary tools essential to program implementation such as: program overviews, supportive research, professional development on program navigation, and materials.  Along with my campus principal, we periodically reviewed student assessment and diagnostic data including: TAKS/STAAR results, Benchmarks, six weeks grades, STAR Reading, and Fluency.  Other essential components included our campus improvement plan, comprehensive needs assessment, teacher observations, and parent input.  The only negative factor thus far has been the area of technology in that our server or hub is in need of repair and has forced a delay of the program implementation.  

Manage the organization (ELCC 3.1)

Although the given research has provided a means for possible student improvement, there have been minor delays in the overall implementation.  The primary reason for the delay includes the area of campus resources which is directly impacted by our campus budget.   The initial cost of the program was roughly $4,500.  This includes web-based support and 20 flexi-licenses.  This means that only 20 students will be able to have access to the Lexia program at any given time.  This also means that a great deal of thought will need to go into the development of the computer lab master schedule.  Another area that was identified as a need during the beginning phases of my research was that the web-based program needed to run on computers with Windows XP or higher, therefore, leaving us in need to purchase computers because ours were very old and incompatible.  After careful review of the campus budget, my principal and I purchased 5 new computers in order to begin the program and serve at least 5 students in 30 minute increments. This was not an easy task.  

This year, we have been able to purchase 150 new computers in order to support our campus’ need for technology and to support Lexia Reading implementation, however; we have run into yet another delay in that our district server is in need of costly repairs.  Once the server is fully repaired and band width is increased, Lexia Learning may be fully implemented and monitored for student improvements.  I will conduct bi-weekly meetings with teachers about their students’ progress in Lexia as they will provided me with input in regards to classroom observations, fluency logs, student grades, and overall suggestions. 

            In addition, a high priority has been set for overall student success and improvement in the area of Reading.  It is my hope that positive gains will be made as the students begin to access the program in a systematic manner.  Because student safety is always at the forefront, careful thought has gone into the program’s implementation and my action research with regard to student safety and confidentiality.  

Manage Operations (ELCC 3.2)

            In order to successfully carry-out the Lexia Learning program implementation and my Action Research, I will periodically consult with my campus supervisor for support and/or project recommendations. I propose to utilize Lexia Learning tools and data, current action research literature, campus weekly meetings, Professional Learning Community meetings, and student needs in order to determine the steps needed to successfully complete the action research project.  By conducting such action research, I understand that it will be imperative to continue improvement efforts even after the project is complete. This will entail the processes of ongoing monitoring, continued data collection, and data analysis.  At this point, we are looking to complete the project at the current school year’s end, as well as re-address it for the next year for sustained improvement. 

Respond to Community Interest and Needs (ELCC 4.2)

The proposed action research project will serve the needs of our struggling readers.  These include: At-Risk, English Language Learners, Economically Disadvantaged, Dyslexic, and low achieving students.  This will be achieved through Lexia Learning program implementation, periodic data reviews, campus meetings, and School-to-Home communication.  Parents will be periodically notified of their child’s reading level, current grade-equivalency, areas of strength and weakness, and possible gains.  Students will be supported with classroom motivation, program level certifications, and campus incentives.  The action research will further support the Campus Improvement Plan to improve Reading, as well as support the communities’  interest and needs for improving increase reading skills for struggling readers.

                                           References

*I propose to add supportive literature references as my action research continues.