Draft Action Research Report

TITLE

College Readiness and The Economic Impact of College Remedial Impact

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Annually our district graduates and sends students into the world of higher education.  Many of these students are required to enroll into remedial classes at the college or university of their choice.  Many of these students meet all admission requirements with the exception of the state assessment.  As a future leader in educational administration I am researching the potential for the improvement of content and strategies used in the classroom to more aptly prepare students to take the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA).

OBJECTIVES AND VISION OF THE ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT

Huntington High School will improve the performance of students on the THEA test and reduce the number of students who must enroll in remedial classes upon entrance into the college or university of their choice.  I will use AEIS data from 2010 and 2011.  I will compare district level benchmark data through DMAC, TAKS scores, and CCRS standards with THEA scores to determine if there is a specific area for improvement.  According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 50% of Texas students entering higher education need remedial classes to be prepared for college level work.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The majority of my research is being done through a pragmatic approach.  The main substance of my research will be the data gathered from the AEIS report and campus level scores.  I will also use information from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

ARTICULATE THE VISION

The vision is to see improved scores on the THEA test to potentially save our students money upon entering higher education.  With the increasing cost of higher education, the omission of remedial classes that do not count toward graduation could be a drastic saving even when considering a small graduating class.  What can the administration and staff of Huntington High School do to improve the college readiness of our students?  Is there a problem with strategies used in the junior and senior level classes?

MANAGE THE ORGANIZATION

I am the primary researcher in the project.  The assistant principal of curriculum and the campus counselor are aiding me in the collection of data.  I will use the data to determine any trends if any.  Once I have found potential areas for improvement my campus principal will review the data and determine how the problems will be addressed bases on my recommendations. 

MANAGE OPERATIONS

I am manipulating and assimilating the data in a manner that will allow for comparisons against college readiness standards state averages and averages of other surrounding schools.  I am interested if there will a definite area of need to address.  If there is a trend in THEA scores in one particular standard we could work to improve our students scores and potentially save them from being required to take remedial courses.

RESPOND TO COMMUNITY INTEREST AND NEEDS

Our district is a lower income area with many of our constituency residing below the poverty level.  Money is a big issue and if the school could potentially help with saving families money it would be well received.  My campus principal and I have discussed providing tutorials before the THEA test is given to reassure our students on standards tested in the test.