Draft Action Research Project Progress Report
Title
Rescuing BFS – Evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of Brighter-Farther-Smarter, a current tutoring/study program that has been implemented at Sonora High School.
Needs Assessment
Two years ago, an opportunity for high school students to have access to school resources and certified teachers outside of the traditional school day was developed. The program was named “BFS”, Brighter-Farther-Smarter. The plan opened the library computer lab with two certified teachers on Sunday evenings for three hours. Students have access to computers, library resources, and tutoring. Students can voluntarily come and go, and the certified teachers are compensated hourly.
The inquiry into improving BFS was prompted in a conversation with the high school principal that revealed the thought to discontinue the program. From there, the purpose of the action research project evolved into evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of the current tutoring/study program that is available to students at Sonora High School.
In the beginning, BFS was a success. Recently, the program has lost popularity. Due to the decline in use of this opportunity, there is the thought to discontinue the program. Reflection of its past success has encouraged the research to determine its continued feasibility.
Vision and Objectives
Rescuing BFS will determine that the program is needed and feasible. The entire campus community will realize the benefits and its former popularity will be restored; and the study/tutoring needs of the students will be met.
1. Students will be ensured the learning resources to extend their studies outside of the traditional classroom/day. (site, technology, tutoring)
2. Students will utilize the program to enhance their learning, project results, and assignment completions.
3. Teachers will utilize the program to extend learning outside of the traditional classroom.
4. Teachers will recognize the monetary compensation for their volunteer expertise.
5. The administration will see the benefit of the program and promote it.
6. The administration will secure the financial resources to continue the program.
Literature Review and Strategy to Establish Research
There will be minimum literature resources utilized in the research. The research is very specific to the local campus. Sources will be sought to reinforce the general need for non-traditional study/tutoring opportunities for students; however, the local need will be the focus of the study. Those needs will be established through local campus experiences.
The decision to focus on BFS resulted through conferences with the campus principal that identified campus needs. Through collaboration, it was determined that redefining the feasibility of BFS would have the most immediate impact on the students’ needs.
Articulation of the Vision
The vision and objectives were established through collaboration with the campus administration. The vision of the action research project was communicated to the campus faculty in the form of survey announcements, survey basis and the actual surveys. The surveys and announcements were distributed through hard copy form and electronic form, and were returned anonymously. After the surveys were completed, the objectives were articulated to the concerned faculty. The purpose of withholding the objectives until after survey completion was to ensure honest answers, versus opinions of the faculty based on personal desires to enhance or discontinue the program. The vision and objectives will not be articulated to the students until BFS is proven to be feasible and effective.
Manage the organization
Procedure is an important calculated portion of the research. When the campus need was identified, a template and guide were used to establish the plan of action for the research. This plan outlined the process and ensured the guided focus. The plan allowed for adjustments as the research progressed. The research required minimal delegation of duties and financial resources. Surveys were developed independently and were proofed by additional faculty before administration. The proofing faculty members were asked for input on the surveys to ensure that pertinent data collection would result. The queries were aligned with student success and safety in mind. Student safety must be considered because the BFS activities occur on campus, but outside of the traditional school day with a minimum number of school personnel present. The only tangible resources were paper and printer ink. Use of these resources was not tracked. The availability and use of these resources was approved by the campus principal and were justified as student enhancement activities.
Manage the Operations
Operations and priorities were established in the beginning stages through the use of an Action Research Plan Template. The plan outlined the process and ensured guided focus. The process required minimal delegation; therefore I was the primary contact, designer, and implementation person. From the Needs Assessment, it was established that there was a distinct need to address this student opportunity and determine the feasibility of continuation. Surveys and questionnaires were distributed to students and teachers that have utilized BFS. The information was analyzed and disaggregated to determine trends in opinions and benefits of the program. Collaboration with involved teachers will be used to explore patterns that indicate possible solutions and ensure that they pertain to the question in order to solidify the desired direction. The identified improvements will then be implemented to the BFS program and monitored for success. Reflection was and will continue to be a vital aspect of each stage of the research process.
Community Interest and Needs
Brighter-Farther-Smarter will be proven as a feasible and effective educational support opportunity for the students of Sonora High School, and the conclusions of the research project will support continuation of BFS. The BFS program has historically shown success through increased class attendance, completion of assignments, successful student research, and improved grade averages. Students will again recognize the opportunity for its benefits to their educational experience. The project will serve the needs of students at all grade, socio-economic, and academic levels. It will allow them to work in a self-paced atmosphere with minimum restrictions or barriers. Technology and technology assistance will be provided during the sessions. The on-site tutors in the form of certified teachers will provide assistance to student need in various subject areas. The discoveries within the research will also reveal time slots and days that will be the most beneficial to the overall student population. Enhanced utilization will provide for growth and address the educational needs of all students. Student development will boost the overall climate of the campus, supporting the theory that success is contagious. Reinforcement of the findings will lead the teachers to promote and encourage utilization of this student opportunity. Buy-in by the school community will be vital, but should be easily promoted.
