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Cape Breton Group
Action Research is:
- Trying new ideas in practice as a means of improvement
and as a means of increasing knowledge about the curriculum, teaching and
learning.
- Research carried out by practitioners with a view to improving
their professional practice and understanding it better …links theory
and practice.
The "Itch"
- Poor Attendance Leading to Drop-out
- We felt the following factors contribute to this: students
forced to attend, fear of success/independence, no coping skills, mental
health skills, addictions/substance abuse, financial reasons, unrealistic
goals/timelines.
- We chose to address the factors that were manageable
and realistic for us to deal with. The following are: fear of success/independence,
no coping skills, unrealistic goals/timelines.
- We discussed how students need a system of rewards ie. Regular recognition (from peers
and instructors).
Formal Question
- Will improved goal setting about attendance at intake and recognition of achievement of attendance goals lead to improved student attendance and retention?
Timeline
1st cycle - current to December 2006
Interventions
- Assessment - goal setting
- Recognition
- Understanding of relationship between attendance and success
- Attendance history - past school and work attendance histories (at intake assessment)
- Students (nail down objectives/goals) -keep short and manageable
- Involve students figuring out how to help each other meet their goals
(this would get them to "buy-in"
- Check-ins/follow-ups
- How will we recognize achievement of attendance goals?
- Make notice when attendance starts to slide
- Keeping learning "fun"
Criteria for Success
- Improved attendance and retention rates
Data Collection Techniques
- Research Journal (include anecdotal records)
- Closed Questionnaire - (intake assessment) include questions about attendance history
- Focus Groups - regarding attendance (hold at mid and end term)
- Document Analysis (Baseline & measurements)
Preliminary Steps
- Before September 2006:
- calculate baseline rates (document analysis) (Kathy)
- amend intake assessment to include questionnaire about reasons for absenteeism (previous & now) and goal setting re: attendance (Diane & Jacqueline)
- devising classroom activities (focus on connection between attendance and learning, acceptable/non-acceptable reasons for absence) & methods of recognition of attendance success. (Diane & Jacqueline)
- administration approval (Kathy, Diane & Jacqueline)
- September-December 2006 (Actual intervention):
- Keep research journal (Diane & Jacqueline)
- use amended intake assessment - closed questionnaire
- set attendance goals
- use activities (excuses, connection between excuses and success, attendance record on wall)
- measure attendance and calculate rates(Kathy)
- attendance Focus Groups midterm and end term (Kathy)
- analysis at completion of cycle
- reflection and comparison of data
- possible recycle - January - March 2007
- If results are successful - we will expand to other ALACBC sites Sept - Dec 2007
Project Participants and Contact Information:
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