Here is the latest update on my action research plan, just some small modifications.

SCHOOL VISION: How can vertically aligned terminology increase students recall from previous years?  GOAL:  To have a vertical aligned terminology chart for the core subjects K-5. Outcomes Activities Resources/ Research tools needed Responsibility to address activities Time Frame Benchmarks/ Assessment Revisions based on monitoring and assessment Discuss importance of vertical alignment. Faculty Meeting Vertically aligned Teks Documents Administrators, faculty and staff September 2012 Create a survey on how the teachers feel about vertical alignment. Will create a vertical alignment team that will assist with development of programs to incorporate into the school year. Team will meet and discuss Teks and words that are associated with each grade level. Epstein’s Framework of Six Types of Involvement. Will go through and pull out things that teachers can do to help implement this in their classroom. Vertical alignment team members.  September 2012 Share with the team members about concerns of teachers in this area. eNews letter going out to parents talking about what is vertical alignment and how having an aligned terminology will help students. Will gather notes from meetings and compile an understandable definition to what we are doing. Meetings and some of Epstein’s framework that deals with parent involvement. Committee chair person September 2012 My contact information will be available for any questions or concerns. When surveys come back revaluate if parents need to be in the loop with a new school system. Parents are informed on use of terminology through the grade level courses. Parent Orientation How to prepare a checklist for meeting with parents and guardians – Steve Berta (article provided by Lamar University) Teachers, parents, September 2012 Parent survey sent home to determine understanding of curriculum and information regarding parent orientation Make revisions as necessary according to parent needs. Vertical team will meet with coaches to discuss math and literacy night and how to incorporate understanding of consistent terminology. Along with the home school connections. Planning Committee Meeting Meeting notes and TEKS documents Grade level representatives October 2012 Discuss parent survey from parent orientation to plan accordingly for math and literacy night Parents are informed of math /literacy curriculum and activities in which parents can work with students at home Math and Literacy Night Meeting notes and TEKS documents Teachers, administration, parents, students January 2013  Parent survey sent home to determine if night was beneficial and needs for improvement Make revisions as necessary according to parent and community needs Vertical alignment team will start creating a template that will be used for the core subjects: math, science, ELA. Planning Committee Meeting Meeting notes and TEKS documents Vertical alignment team and coaches. January 2013 Principal and Vice principal will approve or make recommendations Rework information and grid if need be. After chart has been approved, start making copies and give to all teachers so they can add the terminology into their lesson plans. Faculty Meeting Meeting notes and TEKS documents, Rework information and grid if need be. Vertical alignment team and coaches. January 2013 Will ask the principal and assistant to look for use of terminology throughout their walk through. Have teachers use this until April and then come back to meet with grade representatives to evaluate it. Grade level reps will give advice to what worked and what seemed natural to them. April assessment Teachers and grade level chair volunteers May 2013 Discuss outcomes and growth and determine adjustments for upcoming year Start a year with students who have been introduced to the terminology from prior year. Faculty Meeting Have students use prior knowledge to explain certain concepts with word association. Vertical alignment team and coaches. September 2013 Track use of terminology with the coach’s help. Discuss outcomes and growth and determine adjustments for upcoming year