Saturday, March 16, 2013

EDLD 5397 Week 3

Draft Action Research Project Progress Report


When I first created my action research journey I was a bit overzealous. I was not sure about what I would research or how to put it together.  After choosing my topic, I became more at ease with my action research.  I have learned many skills while working with a group of people to accomplish a goal.  My Action research journey has been very difficult. My timeline has changed due to the limit access to a campus.

a)    I want to learn more about The Pros and Cons of Inclusion for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  How to make the Inclusion program more academically beneficial for ASD students?

b)    The need for improvement was decided because of poor academic performance of ASD students in general education classes.

c)     The vision for this program is to create a better inclusion program to benefit ASD students. A Committee will be created to help direct certain aspects of the research process. We will recognize significant areas that should be discussed to improve the current standing of the Inclusion program such as student performance. Staff will work together to make assignments that are modified for ASD students and aligned with the curriculum.  Most of the goals are measurable and should reflect student improvement.

d)     The decision-making process consisted of the Administrators, Teachers,Parents, Special Education Department and Campus Diagnostician. The decision was made to make modifications to the Inclusion Program to better address the needs of ASD Students in general education classrooms.    
e)    The essential approach used in communicating the vision to staff, parents, students, and community members was to explain how student success would be achieved.  Staff members recognize the need to analyze the Inclusion Program and implement different approaches to benefit ASD students.                                                                           

f)      The principal and I will be the main responsible contact for this project. There will be committee members consisting of administrators, teachers, and campus diagnostician who will help to facilitate change if any.  The priority is being placed on the students’ learning and social success.  For example this plan was created to increase the amount of time a student participates in a general education classroom and the amount of success the student achieves. Committee member feedback will be important during the observation and application of this project.

g)    All staff members who are involved in this research project will be trained to identify areas of difficulties within inclusion classrooms. The process will be monitored carefully to ensure that improvement is being made. The overall goal of the program is to increase the academic benefit for ASD students in the normal classroom setting.  Teacher surveys and benchmark testing will help to communicate the need to analyze the inclusion model.

h)    My action research project will serve the needs of all students. Students will be in a class that benefits their educational development. A better understanding of modifications and the inclusion program will benefit teachers and students. Learning opportunities will increase and grades should become more favorable and student achievement will rise.