Research Template

Action Research Inquiry: In what way(s) would the implementation of student derived illustrations and models, based on the objectives outlined by the biology curriculum, enhance student achievement and how would such an initiative affect the academic advancement of economically disadvantaged students.
Goals :
To increase the comprehension and academic success of economically disadvantaged students within the biology curriculum.
Objectives:
To determine whether or not the implementation student created illustrations and models into the biology curriculum increases student comprehension of state mandated objectives.
Activities:
1. Students will take a pre-course assessment to establish a baseline in which to evaluate student knowledge of subject matter.
2. Students will create illustrations / models that relate directly to units/objectives predetermined by the state/school district curriculum.
3. Students will take a post-course assessment (identical to the pre-course assessment) to evaluate progress
Resources and Research Tools:
1. District/State Biology course objectives
2. TAKS results to determine student prior achievement levels
3. Demographic information to determine student that are characterized as economically disadvantaged
Draft Timeline:
1. Aug. 23 – 27, 2010 (First week of school) – administer pre-course assessment
2. Aug – Dec 2010 – administer illustration/models assignments to experimental group
3. Dec. 14-17, 2010 – (Last week of fall semester) – administer post-course assessment
4. Jan. 2011 – collect and analyze data from pre-test / post-test scores
5. Feb. 2011 – Finalize research findings and determine effectiveness of research inquiry
Persons Responsible:
Kevin Pitts – Science Department Chair/Biology Teacher – China Spring High School
Process for Monitoring Progress:
I will compare pre-test data to that of the post-test scores to determine whether or not those exposed to the initiative had an increase in comprehension and knowledge of the biology objectives. I will also, throughout the semester, compare and contrast the academic achievement (6 wks grades) of those students involved in the research to see if there has been any significant change.
Assessment Instrument to Evaluate Effectiveness:
The post-test assessment will be the primary instrument used to evaluate the effectiveness of this inquiry. Giving the students the same assessment should determine whether or not there has been effective learning and by isolating a control group, I should be able to determine whether the implementation of the new initiative is effective.