Action Plan for improving instructional strategies

Action Plan for LHS World Geography Team
Goal: Enable staff and students to set measurable goals, and increase student scores through improved instructional strategies and increased classroom rigor.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Evaluate EOC Scores from 2012 Outcome: Improve instructional Strategies	World Geography Team	August 22nd and August 23rd 2012 – May 2013	EOC Scores from 2012 and Sub – population data, and TEK Data	EOC Scores 2013 will provide the Data of improvement
Identify low scoring TEKS 2011-12 and improve, change or modify lesson plans to teach that TEK better. Outcome: Improve instructional strategies	World Geography Team	August 22nd and 23rd – May 2013	EOC Scores from 2012, Data for TEKS not mastered for LHS campus.	EOC Scores for 2013, formal assessments and benchmarks that will identify TEKS that are not mastered.
Set Measurable goal on improved instruction Outcome: increased rigor in the classroom and improved instructional strategies	World Geography Team	August 2012 – May 2013	2011-2012 school year goals, EOC Data, and formal assessment data	Analysis of 2012-13 Data, formal assessments and benchmarks
Student will use formal unit assessment  data and complete a data evaluation/reflection sheet/ This sheet will be a daily grade as well as the entry ticket to tutorials and retest. Outcome: Students will take ownership in their learning outcomes and reflect on individual areas to improve	Students and World Geography Teacher	August 2012 – May 2013	Formal assessments and Benchmark scores, Data Evaluation and Reflection sheet	Reteach and Rest opportunities will provide evaluation, as well as student performance on EOC, Teacher evaluation of student
Student will use test data and complete a data evaluation/reflection sheet Outcome: Students will take ownership in their learning outcomes and reflect on individual areas to improve	Students and World Geography Teacher	August 2012 – May 2013	Formal assessments and Benchmark scores, Data Evaluation and Reflection sheet	Reteach and Rest opportunities will provide evaluation, as well as student performance on EOC, Teacher evaluation of student
Teacher will utilize a reflective journal to document students improvement and changes made during the year.  Outcome:  Reflective feedback for the Teacher	Geography Teacher	August 2012-2013	Reflective journal and data and reflection sheets from students.	Self evaluation and Instructional Coach evaluation of reflection.

Action Research needs to be Data Driven!

Action research needs to have rich data to allow for individuals to evaluate the problem and promote change.  I found it very informative listening to the different school leaders who presented their viewpoints on Action Research.  My experience in education has allowed me to work in two different school systems and experience diverse leadership styles.  I feel that my current experience is a very positive one, and we tend to focus on data.  I do feel I would benefit from some form of formal training on how to use the data effectively.  I am confident in saying, my instruction would improve if I had some type of professional development to visit this topic.  Also, I really felt the concept of picking a topic that is practical to you personally and making sure you can apply this to student learning is important.  I believe our focus can be lost on data or other school issues, and take away from the most important component and that is student learning.

Educators and Blogs

I believe educators can use blogs as a means of collaboration.  I feel the use of the blog is a great way to learn from each other.  Also, I feel blogs could be a tool used in the classroom with students.  The blogs are a great way of using technology in your classroom as well as a way to create collaboration with the students.

Action Research is a great tool!

Action research is a tool that can be used in all levels of education.  Action research will enable all stakeholders to develop a plan or set goals to bring change to a school.  I believe action research is a way of empowering all stakeholders involved and allow for the use of reflective practice.  I have learned that action research is something that you can implement in your regular daily routines and the fear of time should not be a concern.  Also, action research is beneficial because it will allow me to identify areas of concern and evaluate how to implement change effectively and effeciently.  I will be able to use action research immediately with my World Geography team.  We will be able to look at our current EOC data regarding scores, level 2 versus commended scores, and sub populations.  Next, we will devise a plan and formulate strategies so we can better improve our instructional strategies in the classroom.  I will then have the opportunity to implement these strategies in the classroom.  We will be able to evaluate and reflect on the needs of our students.  This action research will be something we will do yearly as the state standards will continue to increase.