1st Week Complete

Well the first week of school and the first week of 5388 are in the books. So far my kids at school have been awesome and class has not been bad at all. Just a lot of AEIS data to go through. This is something we go through at the end of each year. How well did we overall and how did our sub-pops do? This is my second year to start a new school with with leading my department, working on my masters and coaching cross country all at the same time.... but this time I know at the shortcuts and what to expect. I hope everyone has a GREAT year.

The start of EDLD 5388 - Diverse Learners

Well it's time for another class to begin. This will be the ninth class of 12. Just 4 more to go and I'll finally be done. With the start of school I'm trying to stay ahead of the game. Starting a new class, a new teaching year and coaching all at the same time can get busy. Well it all starts tomorrow. The kids are like flood water, they're coming in whether your ready or not.

Thoughts on my Action Research. so far...

In the beginning of the course I learned I would have to conduct an action research project. It did not take me long to decide on a topic, the DATE Grant. I could have researched block schedule vs. traditional schedule, after all I had taught under three different scheduling formats; 45 minute, 75 minute and 90 minute long classes. I could have researched student success when comparing students in extracurricular activities vs. those not in any activities. In the Lamar University Interview Dr. Lewis, Superintendent of Pasadena ISD, said the research should be based on campus needs and interest. If you are interested in what you are researching then you will conduct a more in-depth study. (Lewis Interview – Lamar Univ., 2010) This is why I chose the DATE Grant because monetary bonus systems are so controversial right now. Many people believe that when money is involved, especially three or four thousand dollars, cheating on the TAKS test becomes a factor. I believe that good teachers should be rewarded for their hard work just like other professions and if all safe guards are implemented then cheating is not an issue. I particularly like the DATE Grant for a research topic because it can be controversial among teachers on a campus because the bulk to the payout money goes to teachers that teach TAKS tested subjects, not electives or 7th grade history or science. Some believe it should be this way because teachers in TAKS tested subjects are under more stress while others believe that everyone works for a common goal and rewards should be equal.
In the beginning of my research I developed a survey for the teachers on my campus asking their opinion of the DATE Grant. I asked if they participated (it is voluntary), did the grant encourage more tutoring or mentoring, did the grant encourage them to return to the campus next year, did they think the grant was the reason for successful TAKS results, and is the money distributed fairly? I took they questions to my principal, Mr. Weatherly. We discussed them and he liked them because they were simple and not too many. Mr. Weatherly said teachers are more likely to participate in the survey if it is short and simple. He then gave me the green light to email the survey to the staff and wait for responses. A few days after I met with Mr. Weatherly, he sent me an email saying the Dr. Hines, Associate Superintendent of the district, had also conducted a survey across the district concerning the DATE Grant one year ago and I should contact him. In talking with Dr. Hines he offered good advice and was able to send me the data from his survey so I could compare the results between the district and my campus. After talking with Dr. Hines I remembered what Dr. Briseno said, “There is no reason to do your own investigations and lengthy research on a topic when someone else from another district similar to yours has done it. He says a fifteen minute search on Google may make you a campus hero.” (Briseno Interview – Lamar Univ., 2010)
As my research plan has evolved and progressed I have enjoyed reading comments posted on my blog from my colleagues. They have all been very supportive and have all offered good ideas to include in my survey and suggestions for my research. Colleague Todd Ketcham is the DATE Grant representative for his campus and he sent me internet links so I could read DATE Grant updates and review the guidelines for district and campus participation.
My intention in conducting this action research is to show that the DATE Grant is contributing factor to the success of our students and our campus as a whole. I want to evidence to also show that the grant encourages our great teachers to keep working hard as well as return to our campus year after year. I believe the DATE Grant was created with the best intentions fostering student success and teacher retention and I believe my research will show that the grant has been successful in both areas.

DATE Grant Research Plan - revised...

Well here's the plan on conducting my research.

1. Send out survey questions to the staff of my campus

2. Compare my campus results to the district results obtained from the Associate Superintendent of the district.

3. Pull AEIS data from the past four years for my campus and compare success from before and after the implementation of the DATE Grant.

4. Pull AEIS data for campus across the state of similar make-up and size.

5. Compare data of those campuses to my campus.

6. Along with looking at TAKS data I will also compare teacher retention when data is available.

So far I have sent out survey, received some back, received results from the Associate Superintendent and pulled AEIS data from the past four years. I'm moving right along.

DATE Grant Survey Update

Well I sent out a survey to the staff on my campus about 2 weeks ago. My campus has about 85 teachers and as of today 24 have responded. That's about 32% of the staff. So far the results are

Staff that chose fill out paper work to receive a the bonus check - 18

Did the grant effect your desire to tutor/mentor - 7 yes / 17 no

Did the grant encourage you to return - 7 yes / 17 no

Is the grant of our TAKS success - 10 yes / 13 no / 1 unsure

Is the money distributed fairly - 6 yes / 18 no


I was surprised to see that not everyone turned in the paperwork. All teachers will receive $500 at the very least for tutoring/mentoring. I was glad to see that the grant had a low effect on tutoring. Most teachers said they would tutorial with or without the grant money. The same goes for returning to the campus. Many teachers are happy and enjoy working at our school. Our OHI was 98% last year. When it comes to distribution of money all but one of the yeses teach a TAKS class.

I was also told the Assoc Superintendent did a survey about the DATE Grant as well. I emailed him and he was kind enough to help me out with his finding as well. As all 3 interviewees said - don't re-invent the wheel if you don't have to.

Week Two of 5301

Oh the things we learn....

In week two of EDLD 5301 Research I learned that doing research on a certain topic does not necessarily mean "you" have to do the research. As Johnny Briseno, Principal at Rancho Isabella Elementary in Angleton ISD, said "a 15 minute search on Google can you a campus hero." There is no use in re-inventing the wheel. This is my kind of research!!!!

DATE Grant effectiveness - getting started

So far I have sent out a survey to the staff of my school and am getting a steady stream of responses. Here are the questions being asked. I will share results soon.


Are you a participant of the DATE grant (do you fill out your paper work)?

Does the grant encourage you to tutor and/or mentor more than normal?

Does the grant encourage you to return to Peet each year?

Do you believe that the grant is an effective part of our TAKS success?

Do you think the grant is fairly distributed amongst all of our teachers?