Action Research Teams Cedar Rapids Community Schools

District Focus The District Focus for the school year is to improve the performance of low achieving students in reading comprehension and mathematics.The District Focus for the school year is to improve the performance of low achieving students in reading comprehension and mathematics. This does not mean we take resources away from other students… It simply means we will strategically focus on some identified achievement gaps as a system.

A Vehicle for System Change Action Research is a proven strategy for school improvement and has been implemented (in a variety of forms) in schools throughout the country.Action Research is a proven strategy for school improvement and has been implemented (in a variety of forms) in schools throughout the country.

Actions for System Change Continual monitoring of student performanceContinual monitoring of student performance Continual adaptation of instructionContinual adaptation of instruction Learning environments that are engaging to students and familiesLearning environments that are engaging to students and families Use of researched, best-practice instructional and support strategiesUse of researched, best-practice instructional and support strategies

The CRCSD Working Definition of Action Research Our district is defining action research as the implementation of a systematic Plan-Do-Study- Act cycle targeted at closing identified student achievement gaps.

Reasons for an Action Research Process To close identified gaps in student achievementTo close identified gaps in student achievement To utilize the expertise of educatorsTo utilize the expertise of educators To develop a common language for sharingTo develop a common language for sharing To access a proven process that systematically addresses our District focusTo access a proven process that systematically addresses our District focus

High Performing Action Research Team Competencies Accessing data & best–practice/ research-based informationAccessing data & best–practice/ research-based information Identifying gaps in student achievementIdentifying gaps in student achievement Collecting, analyzing, & interpreting data using researched- based methodsCollecting, analyzing, & interpreting data using researched- based methods Using a systems approach that views the building as part of a larger system & involves the community in a variety of meaningful ways Implementing action from research

Common Process & Language A Plan-Do-Study- Act Cycle will be used as a common process across the District ACT PLANSTUDY DO ACT DO

Team Organization Teams will be designed at each buildingTeams will be designed at each building They will evolve over timeThey will evolve over time They may also involve ad hoc members as neededThey may also involve ad hoc members as needed

Team Membership Teams will include school staff who are appropriate for the project Community members, AEA staff, outside experts, parents, central office staff, students, paras, etc., are a few examples of team members who might be utilized on a short or long-term basis

Identifying Gaps Teams at the building level will identify student achievement gaps using the District Focus as a guide.Teams at the building level will identify student achievement gaps using the District Focus as a guide.

Tools Teams Will Use Process tools assist teams in decision-making, asking good research questions, & group interactionProcess tools assist teams in decision-making, asking good research questions, & group interaction Technical tools assist teams in identifying gaps and measuring resultsTechnical tools assist teams in identifying gaps and measuring results Data collection tools assist teams in knowing what data to collect and how to collect it Content tools include best- practice research in the area in which the team is working

Ongoing Learning Many team members will already be able to use some of the toolsMany team members will already be able to use some of the tools Opportunities to acquire skills will be provided in a variety of flexible learning opportunities so teams can move at their own paceOpportunities to acquire skills will be provided in a variety of flexible learning opportunities so teams can move at their own pace TOOLS CAN BE LEARNED OR ACCESSED

Examples of Learning Opportunities National consultant workshops for school leadershipNational consultant workshops for school leadership A seminar on research toolsA seminar on research tools Consultation at the building levelConsultation at the building level Intranet site at CRCSDIntranet site at CRCSD New AEA websiteNew AEA website Written resources & materialsWritten resources & materials The resources for teams will continue to evolve as specific needs are identified and resources become available.

Sharing The District will create multiple ways for buildings to share with other buildings, the district, and the communityThe District will create multiple ways for buildings to share with other buildings, the district, and the community

A Multi-Year Journey Buildings and teams will be at various points of learning & implementation throughout the next few years.Buildings and teams will be at various points of learning & implementation throughout the next few years. This is expected and encouragedThis is expected and encouraged

For information about the contents of this presentation or about action research teams in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools contact: Jane Caraway (319) Paula Vincent (319) Jim Thornton (319) Gregg Petersen (319) Sandy Stephen (319)