Updated Action Research

TITLE

What role does participation in extra-curricular activities have on student’s grades, eligibility and how do these activities impact the culture of the school?  Being involved in activities outside of the classroom greatly affects student progress.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Based off standardized testing scores in our school district and around the state, our campus scored relatively high.  The areas of needed improvement are located in the areas of attendance rate, and discipline issues.  Carroll had the second lowest attendance rate in our five school district and the highest amount of discipline referrals.  The plan of my action research is to find ways to improve these areas through student involvement in extra-curricular activities.  Time mangement and obligation to a greater body of peers, we believe will be the catalyst that will provide these desired results.

OBJECTIVE AND VISION

GOAL: Improve student morale, behavior and attendance through increased involvement in school activities. 

·       Disaggregate data of students who are involved  and students who are not involved.

·       Find possible reasons to the drastic difference in student achievement.

·       Coolaborate with stakeholders and staff to promote increased involvement. 

Review of the Literature and Action Research Strategy

The most impressive literature that I have analyzed has been presented by the National Federation of State High Schools.  Their objective is to promote extra-curricular activities in high schools.  The information, strategies and statistics have given me a great basis for my action research.  I have also acquired our district’s participation records and eligibility reports.  These documents along with other supporting interviews and data will allow me to provide a quality presntation ot my audience.  I have pinpointed the information to support my theory.

Articulate the Vision

The vision will be presented to the high school sponsors, administrators and community stakeholders through presentations, meetings and technology systems.  We will outline the needs of the school and vision for our school in the future. The site-based decision making committee wiil be involved in the adjustment of the vision if needed.

Managing the Organization

The management of this action research was clearly outlined and the needed assistance has been provided below

Outcomes	Activities	Resources/Research Tools	Responsibility to Address Activities	Time Line	Assessments	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring
Increase involvement in activities at Carroll High School	Hold Club Meetings to encourage  membership(Band, Cheerleaders)	School Newspaper Announcements - Tiger Pause School Email - Eduphoria	Kelli Powell, Dean of Instruction Tony Trevino, CHS Athletic Director	October – November 2012	Chart the number of increased participants	Change method of presentation if necessary
Increase Grades for students at Carroll High School	Conduct Pep Rallies for each activity	Surveys Grade Reports for 3rd Nine Weeks at CHS	Charles Chachere, Head Principal CHS Kelli Powell, Dean of Instruction	December– 2012	Document the grades of participants in the school functions	Student involvement in public activities
Reduced amounts of ISS and DOA referrals at CHS	FCA, Weight programs, basketball tournaments, powder puff football games	Attendance surveys at after school functions, including Tigerettes, One-Act Play, Track and Baseball	Sponsors/Teachers /Coaches of extracurricular Activities	January– February 2013	ISS Reports on extracurricular participants	Revise Plan if not acquiring desired results
Increased School Pride with Student participation	Red Cross, canned food drives, Car washes.	Teams and Clubs will collaborate to help the community	Shan Hooker, CHS Boys Basketball Leticia Canales, Girls Basketball	March – April 2013	Fundraising and Participation results	Mandatory or voluntary
Increased Parental Involvement through booster clubs and fundraising	Parent Meetings to display advantages of extra-curricular activities. Waffle Sale	Email notifications, callouts, letters, Facebook, web-site banner and school newspaper articles.	Robert Valadez, Big Cat Club President, Tony Trevino, CHS Athletic Director	April  -May 2013	Attendance of meetings will serve as the assessment	Increased advertising if numbers are low

Managing the Operation

The management of this operation will fall under my supervision along with with the other designated leaders around our campus.  Conversations, emails and meetings will determine the effectiveness of our plan and improvement strategies. 

·       Students will need to be interviewed to see if strategies are improving the situations.

·       Parents will provide feedback that could guide our action plan.

·       Sponsors will report the increase in involvement and provide evidence of improvement..

Community Interest and Needs

The community will be the ultimate winners in this operation because they will witness the improvement in student involvement.  The product of experiment will yield young adults that have learned responsibilities and commitment to the greater good of our community.  The community will need to hold up their end of the deal for true success.