M8 Research Paper: FELS and Data Analysis (Portfolio)
Description and Purpose
You will complete a research paper on student learning and continuous school improvement measured by the Florida Educational Leadership Standards (FELS) by evaluating and analyzing student achievement data to support instructional and non-instructional decision making at a hypothetical school. You will review the provided data set and respond to the following: specific accountability components including achievement gaps across sub-groups and comparisons to the district and state. Once the data set(s) have been analyzed, you will build a narrative for school improvement including but not limited to instructional priorities and goals, curriculum adaptations, targeted interventions and supports, professional development, progress monitoring plans, and communication plans to stakeholders. You will utilize course readings, current research articles (published within the last 5 years), and the Florida Education Leadership Standards (FELS) as sources of evidence to identify and design support for your school improvement plan.
Silver Grove K-8 Academy Data SetDownload Silver Grove K-8 Academy Data Set
Instructions
Title Section: Introduction (1–2 pages)
Your introduction should include a brief statement of what research describes as effective data analysis for school improvement. Research cited should be from course readings and articles researched by students.
Title Section: Data Analysis (2–3 pages)
Describe the student achievement data from Silver Grove K-8 Academy Download Silver Grove K-8 Academyby addressing the specific aspects of student achievement provided (e.g., overall performance, comparisons, subject-specific proficiency, growth and/or regressions and gaps/comparisons between sub-groups). The provided data should be presented in a table format to ensure an organized and structured presentation. In this section you will look for trends and patterns in the data and identify areas of strength and weakness, high and low performing groups and any other notable patterns over time. You will analyze the data across different subgroups to identify achievement gaps or disparities.
Title Section: Narrative for School Improvement (2–3 pages)
Develop a school improvement plan that includes instructional priorities and goals, curriculum adaptations, targeted interventions and supports, acceleration and enrichment, professional development, progress monitoring, communication plans to stakeholders, and a timeline for implementation.
Title Section: FELS Analysis (1–2 pages)
Use your own research, class readings and assignments to inform, formulate and/or identify how your analysis of the data and subsequent school improvement plan that you develop in response to the data line up with the FELS. Provide your reflections on the effectiveness of how educational leaders enable continuous improvement to promote the academic success and well-being of all students using course readings, current research and the FELS as evidence for support.
Title Section: Conclusion (1–2 pages)
In your conclusion, summarize the main points made throughout the paper, reiterate key arguments, main takeaways, and address any new questions that may arise out of the findings of your analysis and recommended school improvement plan.
Requirements for Writing, Grammar, and References
· Technical writing and grammar are both accurate and compelling
· Paper shows strong evidence of editing and proofreading
· Citations within the text are accurate and consistent with APA Style, 7th edition
· References need to be complete, comprehensive, and consistent with APA Style, 7th edition
· Must use both course assigned textbooks as references in research paper
· Must include 3–5 academic, peer reviewed articles as references in research paper
Resources
Reference the following as needed:
· FIU Online Research Guide for StudentsLinks to an external site.
· APA Formatting and Style Guide, 7th Edition (Purdue OWL)Links to an external site.