Action Research Project Summary

The implementation of my project began during the second grading cycle of the 2012-2013 school year and ran until the fourth grading cycle. All eighth grade students were invited to participate, however other students were identified after the first six weeks grading cycle as those needing extra practice and intervention. Criteria used were six week grades and teacher recommendation. Eighth grade students participated in an afternoon session for science and social studies for one day a week using Study Island, an online computer program. Students voluntarily participated in this program—it was not required.
        
Attendance was consistent for those involved and students told me that this program was helping them especially in science. One student in particular exuberantly exclaimed to me that she had made an A on a recent science test. Other students said that these sessions were helping them become successful in science. Even though some of the students found the social studies sessions difficult, they also found success in the regular classroom.
           
Implementation ended because my principal began a different school intervention for all grade levels to prepare them for the upcoming STAAR test. This intervention was an effort to fulfill a needed intervention because of our campus's low academic rating. Since my students also fell into the criteria for this intervention, they were no longer available to participate in the voluntary Study Island sessions. I had to stop its implementation. My students expressed their disappointment of having to discontinue.        

What I still need to do is gather data and analyze it to prove whether or not the Study Island sessions helped my students. I plan to use benchmark tests, six weeks cycle grades, and Study Island session grades. Additionally, writing more of the report is also a task that needs completing.