ADMS 631 Evidence Based Decision Making

1. ADMS 631 Evidence Based Decision Making Action Based Research Plan By Christopher Martinez

2. The Question What strategies, policies, or actions can our faculty implement to improve the relevance of benchmark data? Why choose this as my inquiry? I never really bought into the importance of benchmarks. This is an area that my current school needs to improve upon.

3. What data will be collected? • Previous Year data on the 2nd Benchmark given in April 2012 broken down by content area and teacher Previous Year data on the 1st Benchmark given in November 2012 broken down by content area and teacher • Previous Year Division data on Benchmarks • Look at the students grades in the those core classes where benchmarks are given • Look at the SOL scores in the core areas where benchmarks are given • Conduct a survey with the staff to determine how they prepare their students for the benchmarks • Conduct a survey to gain info on how the staff use the Benchmark Data • Interview and observe teachers from the core areas where Benchmarks are given • Interview students about the Benchmarks

4. What is the root problem? • The root problem of why the benchmark data is not relevant is due to the approach of the teachers and students to benchmark testing. • Why do teachers not take the benchmark seriously? • Why do students not take the benchmark seriously? • By conducting the research, what other questions may arise?

5. The Plan • June 2014 – Survey the staff on how they prepare their students for the benchmark and how they use the data. • June 2014 – Conduct teacher interviews and observations. • June 2014 – After interviewing the teachers, I will also then interview students in the school. • July 2014 – Collect the data from the previous year benchmark tests and compare that data to the end of the year SOL test scores. Breakdown data by content area and teacher. • August 2014 – Staff Development on Assessment • August 2014 – Create a Focus group on Benchmark Test Improvement • August 2014 – Schedule Common Content Meetings • September 2014 - June 2014 – Classroom Observations • September 2014 – June 2015 – Meet with Common Content Leads Bi-Weekly • November 2014 – Look at data from 1st benchmark compared to previous year’s 1st benchmark • December 2014 – Follow-Up Interviews • April 2015 – Look at data from 2ndbenchmark • June 2015 – Look at SOL Data and Compare to current years Benchmark Data • Summer 2015 – Develop strategies to maintain and improve areas of strength and weakness

6. Concluding Thoughts • Importance of conducting inquiry based research. • Importance of working together. • Improving student achievement. • Eliminate complacency, keep looking forward.