Monday, May 2, 2011

Improve Effectiveness of Tardy Policy

Action Planning Template
Goal:  Implement a more efficient process of both tracking and enforcing the tardy policy to ultimately eliminate discipline referrals due to tardies, consequently increasing the number of students actively engaged in the learning process throughout the entire class period.
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation
Collaborate with Site Supervisor
Discuss possible action research topics based upon campus needs.

4/18/2011
-
4/29/2011
Internship Plan and School Improvement Plan
Goal, focus and driving questions will be adapted to meet the specific needs of the campus.
Collect Data
Define the magnitude of the tardy problem using our discipline referral software while assessing its effectiveness and efficiency.

5/2/2011
-
6/3/2011
Total Discipline Software
Quantitative analysis.
Disaggregate Data
Sort tardy information by students and teachers to identify reoccurring trends.

5/9/2011
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6/10/2011
Total Discipline Software
Determine commonalities amongst individuals in the sample to identify possible solutions.
Design Student Permission to Participate Forms
Prepare appropriate documentation to satisfy all legal compliances regarding student confidentiality.

5/1/2011
-
5/8/2011
Computer and
Internet for research and design
None
Formulate Interview Questions and Design Surveys
Organize data collection instruments to allow for efficient and effective data collection and disaggregation.

5/1/2011
-
5/8/2011
Computer and
Internet for research and design
Feedback from teachers will help determine details of new policy.
Observe and Interview Students
Identify various causes of tardy issues.

5/9/2011
-
5/27/2011
Student Permission Forms, interview questions and permission from principal
Information will facilitate the design of a policy that addresses the issues that prevent students from being punctual.
Survey and Interview Teachers
Identify teacher concerns and collect ideas on how to improve the tardy policy and the tracking system.

5/16/2011
-
5/27/2011
Computer, Internet for research Survey Monkey, and permission from principal
Feedback will facilitate the design  of a policy that addresses the needs of the teachers
Research Effective Tardy Policies
Investigate tardy policies and tracking systems utilized by other school districts.  Specifically, compare and contrast the effectiveness of punitive based tardy policies versus incentive based tardy policies.

5/2/2011
-
6/9/2011
Computer, Internet and utilize informal phone interviews with other campus administrators.  Possibly might have to fill out paperwork to make a formal inquiry into another school district’s policy.
Quantitative analysis.
Collaborate with Site Based Decision Making Committee
Seek questions and suggestions to gain a deeper understanding of differing perspectives.

5/2/2011
-
6/3/2011
Permission and access to meeting
Feedback will facilitate the design of a policy that addresses the needs of all stakeholders.
Analyze Data, Research Findings and All Feedback
Filter and sort all information that is relevant to the improvement of Mount Pleasant High School.

6/12/2011
-
6/17/2011
Time
Appropriate information will be used to finalize an effective tardy policy.
Recommend Changes to the Tardy Policy
Explain research process, findings and relevance to the administrative team while accepting their feedback.

6/20/2011
-
6/24/2011
School Policy Manual
Input from the administrative team will help ensure the logistics of school policy and procedures are followed when designing and implementing the new tardy policy.
Modify Tardy Policy
Make appropriate changes to the process of tracking student tardies and enforcing the tardy policy.

6/27/2011
-
7/5/2011
Consent from principal
Make changes to the tardy policy with the understanding that future assessment will be utilized to promote school improvement.
Present New Tardy Policy to Faculty and Staff
Communicate the relevance of the inquiry and the importance of consistent enforcement of the new tardy policy by all faculty and staff.

8/22/2011
-
5/30/2012
Video projector, screen, computer and PowerPoint presentation
Allow time for question and answer session to address related teacher concerns or questions.
Implement New Tardy Policy
Cooperate with all students, faculty, staff and administrators in the enforcement of the new tardy policy at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.

8/22/2011
-
5/30/2012
Cooperation and manpower
Observations and feedback from teachers and students will allow for minor adjustments for a smooth transition to new policy.
Assess Effectiveness of New Tardy Policy
Gather data and feedback from all stakeholders.

8/22/2012
-
Ongoing Process
Interviews, surveys and Total Discipline Software or other tracking software if a more efficient tracking system is necessary.
Quantitative analysis and teacher satisfaction surveys.
Identify Resulting Issues and New Inquiry Possibilities
Reflect upon issues that have been addressed and continually search out new areas for academic and school improvement.

8/22/2012
-
Ongoing Process
Interviews, surveys and Total Discipline Software or other tracking software if a more efficient tracking
Feedback will identify issues with policies and procedures related to the new tardy policy as well as expose other areas of concern.
Share Results of Inquiry
Post findings from the action research project in a blog format on the internet and create a link on the school website for future reference.

6/29/2012
-
Ongoing Process
Internet
Post resulting questions that might lead to future inquiries.

2 comments:

  1. I definitely like how thorough you were with your action research plan. Every possible step I can think of for your topic appears to be listed.

    I'm a little confused with your "Person(s) Responsible" column being blank. Are you unsure of what to put, is it implied that you are the one responsible for each step, or have you just not had time to get that part done?

    I also think your date range isn't necessary for presenting the new tardy policy to the staff. You put a date range there that appears to be the entire year. Wouldn't you just present it during campus staff development time before school starts for the year?

    Besides those two things I do think it is really good. I thought about investigating my campus' tardy policy as well and I definitely don't think I would've come up with all the steps that you did.

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  2. Your action research project is very detailed. I like the explanations that you gave for each specific task. I like what you have done so far keep up the good work.

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