Research and Evaluation Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal EDUC999 Research and Evaluation

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Title

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 The research indicates that time related to student achievement becomes stronger as the measure of time reflects what students do in the classroom. However, quality of time bears a significant relationship to achievement. . .Research indicates that increasing time in school will not automatically increase student achievement. (Quartorola, 2004)

Research Proposal Outline Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Outline Introduction Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Research/Guiding Questions Significance of the Study Limitations/Delimitations Definition of Terms Outline of Study

Research Proposal Outline Cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Outline Cont. Review of the Literature (notional, restated topical areas) Methodology Overview Research Design Sampling Instrumentation Data Collection Data Analysis

Research Proposal Problem Introduction Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Problem Introduction Numerous research studies have been conducted on the effects of a longer school day on student achievement. This study is compelling because it will be measuring the effects of longer school days on three reconstituted elementary schools with new staff, new administration, and longer school days on mathematics student achievement.

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016

Research Proposal Problem Introduction, continued Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Problem Introduction, continued Statement of the Problem: What is the effect of a longer school day on mathematics achievement of grades 2-4 students in three reconstituted suburban elementary schools?

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a longer school day in mathematics instruction by assessing the achievement of 2nd and 4th grade students mathematics achievement level in the three reconstituted elementary schools. Mathematics instruction is defined by the amount of time that all Grade 2-4 students receive direct instruction for mathematics skills per their standards based curriculum.

Research/Guiding Questions: Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research/Guiding Questions: How did the lengthening of the school day affect the amount of direct instructional time in mathematics? How did the provision of additional mathematics instructional time to Grade 2-4 students influence their achievement level on the mathematics section of the State Achievement Test?

Significance of the Study: Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Significance of the Study: This study contributes to the current emphasis of additional time on task and how and it can improve student achievement. The results will be particularly useful to district administrators and elementary principals who are investigating the effects and cost benefits of providing additional time. Teachers will benefit from this study as they can see how having additional daily mathematics instruction can be used with students. The study will also help guide principals in their role as instructional leaders with regard to using the additional instructional time judiciously.

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Limitations: The way the additional instructional time was used by the teachers The amount of time that parents spent with their children preparing for the state achievement tests or the role that they played in their overall child’s education. No recording of student participation in other additional programs.

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Delimitations: Focused only on the students in Grades 2-4 in the three reconstituted elementary schools No focus on SES factors such as free and reduced lunch. Did not account for the type of mathematics instruction that occurred in Grades K and 1 and the type of mathematics instruction and schedule allotted prior to reconstitution of the school. Did not account for any of the other “dream school” initiatives including uniforms, rigorous school curriculum, required parental involvement, and new staff Did not account for the affects of class size on the study

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Definition of Terms: Dream School Initiative: A Coastline City Schools initiative requiring longer school days, rigorous curriculum, school uniforms, parental involvement, and restructuring of personnel Elementary School: Grades 2-4 for the purposes of this study State Achievement Test: Local high-stakes standardized test given to all students. Longer School Day: As defined by the Dream School Initiative

Research Proposal Review of the Literature Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Review of the Literature The effects of extended day programs on student achievement. The need for mathematics and its benefit to students, economy, and quality of life The effects of additional mathematics instructional time on student achievement. The effects of additional mathematics instructional time on other subjects

Research Proposal Methodology Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology Overview The study will consist of a cross-sectional field study. Participants for the study will include a random sample of students in Grades 2-4 who have been members of the three elementary schools during the two-year reconstitution period. They will be the experimental group. The control group will be all students in Grades 2-4 who were members of the three elementary schools the three years prior to the reconstitution period. Additionally, it will consist of a teacher questionnaire using a Likert scale concerning the use of the additional time in the classroom and observation of teacher instruction in the classroom.

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Research Design: Pre-test-Posttest Control Group Design. Three years prior to reconstitution: A random assignment of students chosen in Grades 2, 3, and 4 and their state assessment scores are measured over time. This is the control group. The experimental group will be a random sample of grade 2, 3, and 4 students who have been in the school since reconstitution. Their state assessment scores will be measured over the last two years. A Likert scale teacher questionnaire concerning the use of the additional time in the classroom.

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Sampling: Three years prior to reconstitution: A random assignment of students chosen in Grades 2, 3, and 4 and their state assessment scores measured over time. This is the control group. The experimental group will be a random sample of grade 2, 3, and 4 students who have been in the school since reconstitution. We will measure their state assessment scores over the last two years. All teachers currently serving in the three target schools

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Instrumentation: The study will incorporate a pre-test of teacher questionnaire field tested for reliability and validity. State Achievement Test results will be used to provide an independently professionally developed and wildly used valid and reliable student achievement instrument

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont.

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont.

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont.

Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Methodology, cont. Data Analysis: Test scores: An inferential statistical test to analyze the quantitative data. Teacher questionnaire: Likert scale results to determine potential correlation with student achievement test results.

Research Proposal Summary Title? Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Research Proposal Summary Title?

Mathematics achievement Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Title Longer school days Mathematics achievement Elementary school

Mathematics achievement Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Title Longer school days Impact Mathematics achievement Elementary school

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Title The impact of longer school days on the mathematics achievement of elementary students

Dr. Dereck Rhoads Costa Rica, July 2016 Title LONGER SCHOOL DAYS AND MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT: A STUDY OF THREE RECONSTITUTED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS