Performance+Improvement+Intervention+Project

MODULE 1.3 PII Part 1 Assignment
SWHS 2011 AYP Status [] SWHS 2010 – 2011 EOCT Results [] SWHS 2010 – 2011 GHSWT [] SWHS GHSGT 2010-2011 [] SWHS GAA Testing Data []
 * Name of Organization: __Southwest High School, Macon, GA__**
 * Problem Summary:** Southwest High School needs to improve the overall student performance in Math and English. Student classroom performance and standardize test performance.
 * Background of Organization:**
 * When was the organization founded? **1952**
 * Where is it located? **1775 Williamson Rd Macon, GA 2106**
 * Who is the organization’s clientele? **High School Students 9-12 Grade**
 * What information about the company would be useful to help you plan an appropriate intervention? Indicators may include company reports, school “watch list” designation, test scores, or other resources.

What is the URL of the website for this organization? []

Do you have access to any public relations materials or annual reports for the organization? If so, where can you obtain these? **Yes, Administrator of instruction has reports that I should be able to access.**
 * Stakeholders and Decision Makers**
 * Who are the people that will be affected by your plan? **Faculty, Staff, Students, and Parents**
 * Which people in the organization make the decisions to implement the plan once it is developed? **BOE, School Administrators**
 * Who are the key personnel in the organization that can provide you with insights into the performance problem for which you will propose an intervention? List their names as possible interviews later in the project.
 * Principal – Elizabeth Blair- Ricks**
 * Counselors – A. Latimore/D. Andrews**
 * English Coach – A. Goodrum**
 * Math Coach – S. Betanga**
 * Math Dept Chair – R. Chaafay**
 * English Dept Chair – R. Martin**

**Assignment 2.1: PII - Human Performance Problem (Performance Gap)**

 * Problem Summary:** Southwest High School needs to improve the overall student performance in Math and English. Student classroom performance and standardize test performance.

9th Grade Lit 55% of students failed the test. American Lit 31% students failed the test Math I 83% of students failed Math II 83% of student failed English/Lang Arts 25 % of students failed Math 49% of Students failed
 * __EOCT Results for 2010-2011__**
 * __GHSGT Result 2010-2011__**

The above standardized testing results shows the need for improvement in both areas. The ultimate desired result would be 100% passing rate however, there should be a reasonable goal set in the beginning. The hope is the students will do better then the goals that are set below.

9th Grade Lit 35% of students fail the test. American Lit 11% students fail the test Math I 50% of students fail Math II 50% of student fail __**GHSGT Reasonable goal set for 2012-2013**__ English/Lang Arts 15% of students fail Math 39% of Students fail
 * __EOCT Reasonable goal set for 2012-2013__**
 * Cause Analysis **

I think inadequate student readiness, curriculum changes, instructional practices, staff changes, and lack of student motivation has caused the above problem
 * Why do you think this problem developed in your company?**

Many students that lack the basic foundational skills needed to succeed in their current courses. Also, there were curriculum changes in math when Math I, II, III, & IV were developed. Some of the teachers were not comfortable with teaching the material which affected the testing outcome. The staff in our Math and English department has changed frequently over the past 3 years. I think these things have affected student achievement which causes the performance gap.
 * Why does this gap exist?**

=**Assignment 3.1: Three Intervention Strategies **=
 * The low-cost strategy would meet the minimum needs to solve the performance gap but most likely will not be sustainable beyond the initial period of implementation (at a cost of approximately $5,000).
 * Create a math lab and English Lang arts lab using 30 existing computers. Assign two teachers to the each lab one certified in the subject and one program for exceptional children (PEC) certified. The students would rotate using the lab one day of the week. They would use web based software that would provide practice assignments and assessments in the subjects. This assignment and assessments would focus on the domains of the testing areas. There would be assessments done throughout process to make sure the intervention is working. **
 * The medium-cost strategy would resolve the performance gap over several years’ time (at a cost of approximately $25,000).
 * All Math and English classes would have a regular teacher and a collaborative teacher (PEC). Students would have mobile labs to use each day. Students would spend half the class period getting instruction for the classroom teacher. The second half of the class period student would have peer tutorial sessions with students their age. The peer tutors would be from various locations. The tutors would have to pass a screening selection to prove they are able to tutor. For example, the student tutor would have a minimum 3.0 GPA, should have passed the required test, and passed the subject they are tutoring in with an A. Tools such as Sykpe, Edmodo, Eluminate, etc. could be used to conduct the sessions. Students would take practice test aligned with GHSGT and the EOCT to make sure they’re getting the information. There would be assessments done throughout process to make sure the intervention is working. **
 * The high-cost strategy gives you much more flexibility. In other words, you have been given a “magic wand” to eliminate the performance gap. Understand that this high-end, “blue sky” strategy is seldom realistic but is worth consideration (at a cost of approximately $50,000).
 * I would use the medium cost strategy listed above but include the following things: **
 * 1) **Decrease class sizes to 10 students per teacher **
 * 2) **Provide mandatory 2 hours after school sessions two days per week **
 * 3) **Provide a 4 hour Saturday sessions once a month **
 * In order for the students to pass the course they would have to attend the mandatory sessions. Make up sessions would be provided for those who are sick or have family emergencies. There would be assessments done throughout process to make sure the intervention is working. **

Assignment 3.2: Intervention Strategy Peer Review
Dr. Johnson recommend that I narrow down my intervention focus. I have choosen improving English Language Arts performance as the focus for this project.

The intervention strategy I will recommend is the medium cost strategy listed above.

I chose the middle end intervention listed above. Each intervention provides group and individual instruction. Time could be a limitation for each intervention. I believe strong group instruction coupled with strong individual instruction is a good start for improving student performance. The use of technology to enhance instruction is also important. The assessment piece will help provide the necessary data to gage where students are and how they progress throughout the process. It also helps provide accurate differentiated instruction.
 * Assignment 4.1: Justification for Intervention Strategy**

The middle end intervention provides the students with the instructional support they need to be successful. I believe this strategy will help close the performance gap in English Language arts. The school currently has most of the resources needed to implement the intervention. Therefore, it may not require all of the estimated funds for the project. The low end intervention may not be strong enough to make an impact. The high end may be more expensive and there may not be enough space to provide smaller class sizes. Also, it has been said that the class size should not matter as long as the environment is set for solid instruction to take place.

**Assignment 5.1: PII – Required Documentation**

 * Financial and Budget Information. **The tentative budget for this intervention strategy is between $25,000 and $35,000. The school currently has four mobile labs therefore we will have to purchase two more to meet the needs of the English department. The district has contracts with vendors such as HP who will provide the technology needed for the intervention. The school has a School Improvement Grant (SIG) that has a technology allowance. We will use some of the software and applications that are currently in place to support the intervention. Each computer as Skype installed. We can also use Elluminate Live for tutorial sessions. I would like to use the tools we have more effectively than get rid of them and purchase new tools. The teachers currently know how to use the mobile labs, but they will need to know the best way to implement the teaching strategies for this intervention. The school has a number of collaborative teachers that can be used to assists with PEC students and well as classroom management.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Project Assessment. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Prior to beginning the intervention**,** each student will take an assessment using AIMSWEB to determine current literacy skills. The students will also take practice end of course test and Georgia High School graduation test using USA Test Prep. This will provide baseline data to go by. Students will continue to test every two weeks to see if the intervention is making an impact. The intervention will be adjusted based of the data and student feedback about the intervention. This will be the practice until it is time to take the graduation test and end of course test.