1. Action Research Teams Cedar Rapids Community Schools 2003-2004

2. District Focus 2003-3004 To improve the performance of low achieving students in reading comprehension and mathematics.To improve the performance of low achieving students in reading comprehension and mathematics.

3. Vehicles for System Change Action Research TeamsAction Research Teams Building Professional Development DaysBuilding Professional Development Days SeminarsSeminars MentoringMentoring

4. 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

5. How is action research defined in the CRCSD? Our district is defining action research as the implementation of a systematic Plan-Do-Study- Act cycle targeted at closing identified student achievement gaps.

6. Why are we forming action research teams? 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

7. What are the competencies of a high performing action research team? 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

8. What common process will be used across the District? A Plan-Do-Study- Act Cycle will be used as a common process across the District ACT PLANSTUDY DO

9. How will teams be organized in each building? The teams will be designed at each buildingThe teams 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

10. Who can participate on action research teams? Anyone the building feels is appropriate for that particular task 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

11. How do teams know which gaps to address? That is a part of the building level processThat is a part of the building level process The District focus and indicators will act as a big picture guideThe District focus and indicators will act as a big picture guide Teams can be assigned a gap or identify their own gapsTeams can be assigned a gap or identify their own gaps

12. What tools & skills will teams need to be effective? 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

13. How will teams acquire these tools? 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

14. What are some of those 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.

15. How will we know what other schools are doing? In the spring of 04 a district sharing opportunity is plannedIn the spring of 04 a district sharing opportunity is planned Throughout the year teams are encouraged to post their P-D-S-A summaries on the intranet along with ideas and questionsThroughout the year teams are encouraged to post their P-D-S-A summaries on the intranet along with ideas and questions

16. How fast are we supposed to be moving with all this? Buildings and teams will be at various points of learning & implementation throughout the next few years. That is OK! This is a journey not a race.Buildings and teams will be at various points of learning & implementation throughout the next few years. That is OK! This is a journey not a race.

17. For information about the contents of this presentation or about action research teams in the Cedar Rapids Community Schools contact: Jane Caraway (319) 558-2966 Paula Vincent (319) 558-2961 Jim Thornton (319) 558-2963 Gregg Petersen (319) 558-2962 Sandy Stephen (319) 558-2967