Updated Action Research Plan - An attempt to answer questions from Ms. Martinez

Action Research Plan:

Goal/Guiding Question:

What effect will involvement in an after school intervention program have on attendance, GPA, and behavior among at-risk students?

• Will students feel more connected to the school and community?

·      Will students’ self perception change as their skills improve and relationships deepen?

Community Garden

            Main Idea: Using community efforts and expertise as an intervention for at risk students.  Through implementing a new community garden for students to raise food for the nearby food pantry I will collect data that shows the effects of such programs on student behavior, attendance, and GPA.

Context:

         Quest Academy (Alternative School for RISD, Rockwall, TX): Choice High School is an alternative school that is purposed for students who choose to attend for personal and academic reasons.  DAEP is a separate program also housed at Quest Academy. Students are placed in DAEP program for behavioral reasons.  Both programs will participate but data will be primarily gathered from Choice students.

Original Curiosity/Wondering:

            I feel that students with diverse interests and passions and a sense of belonging in the community have a higher self-esteem and generally are more successful.  On our campus, I have been amazed at how many students have no hobbies, goals, or sense of belonging and although these are many issues without one answer, I wonder if schools can affect these deficiencies through intervention programs in which teachers and community members teach special interest skills with a real world end product. 

The Produce:

In this initial attempt the actual produce from the garden will be donated to the Helping Hands food pantry located near the school.  A portion of the produce will be prepared for students in the cafeteria for an official tasting.

           

Action Steps        Person(s)                  Timeline:           Necessary            Evaluation

                               Responsible            Start/End           Resources

Initiate Community Garden	Brian Rushing, Julie Farris, Nick Helge, David Thomas, GeriAnne Carrales	March 2013 – Summer 2013	Garden Site at Helping Hands Teacher/ Community Volunteers Fence materials and seeds	Actual Produce donated to Helping Hands
Entrance/Exit Program Survey	Brian Rushing Steven Davis	March 2013 – May 2013	Surveys gauging student opinions of school and self	Entrance/Exit Program Survey
Measure any shift in attendance trends	Brian Rushing Steven Davis	March 2013 – May 2013	Attendance records for months preceding and coinciding intervention	Attendance records for months preceding and coinciding intervention
Measure any change in GPA trends	Brian Rushing Steven Davis Laura Houghton	March 2013 – May 2013	GPA records for months preceding and coinciding intervention	GPA records for months preceding and coinciding intervention
Measure any change in behavior trends	Brian Rushing Steven Davis Laura Houghton	March 2013 – May 2013	Referral rates/Qualitative field notes for months preceding and coinciding intervention	Referral rates/Qualitative field notes for months preceding and coinciding intervention
Gauge value of program among share holders	Brian Rushing	May 2013	Note taking	Student and Teacher Interviews
Sharing findings, program, and evidence	Brian Rushing	May 2013	Blog Digital Pictures Video	Final presentation shared through teacher blog, power point, and wiki
Measure E2020 records to determine quality of work	Brian Rushing Laura Houghton	May 2013	E 2020 Access	Observing idle time, grades earned/ quality of work compared at different times in the day.
Community supporters acquired	Brian Rushing Daniel Nichols Julie Farris	March 2013	Community contacts; school personnel	Goal: three groups involved that are unrelated to RISD