Action Research Update

Action Research Project Title: How do extra-curricular activities affect students’ grades, tardies and referrals?

Blog URL: http://laurenmiksch.blogspot.com/

Number of AR Project Documented Hours: 10 hours

AR Project Summary (at least 250 words):

As a whole, everything is on track in regards to my Action Research Plan. Although, I have several months to go, this past month has been successful. I have defined my groups which include students that are not involved and students that are in athletics, band, orchestra, cheerleading, and chess club. I decided to collect data on 30 students that are involved and 30 students that are not involved. The third week of school, after schedule changes died down, I communicated with the three other core teachers that will be involved, Mrs. Allen (Social Studies), Mrs. Cochrane (Language Arts), and Mrs. Whitehouse (Science), and let the teachers know of the 60 students being tracked. I also reminded them at the end of each six weeks I would need each student’s final grade. Last week, although a week behind schedule, I emailed the sponsors of the extra-curricular activities, and asked for a copy of the by-laws or contracts given to students in order to participate in the activity. I have received all but one of the by-laws back and after looking at the by-laws, the requirements seem to be about the same for each activity. Next Monday during our Accelerated Reading (advisory) period, I plan to pass out surveys to the students to complete. I originally planned for this to take place this week, but the administrators asked that I wait a week as we have “Social Etiquette” to present this week to the students. Next Friday will be the last day of the six weeks so I will then be able to gather the first six weeks data which includes tardies, grades, and referrals for the 60 chosen students.