When I started this
program, I knew I needed a platform to launch from. I started by looking at the original data
from the very first test in September 2012—obviously, new students transferring
in did not take the test on the same date.
I then verified that the test had been retaken each six weeks. The next thing I did was verify with all four
math teachers (myself included) that the Accelerated Math program was being
utilized at least once a week. One
teacher is actually having his students work on Accelerated Math two days a
week. Some of the teachers have started
using a program called ALEKS. I want to
alter my original wondering to decide which program is servicing the students
better.
I
spent some time looking into the ALEKS program and decided that for now, we
will not be exploring its usefulness.
That data set is too small because not all the students are using
it. Also, ALEKS focuses on the students
current grade level where as STAR testing and the Accelerated Math program look
at each students’ gaps and teaches to the areas they may have not mastered
already.
Revisiting
the STAR Math testing, I am finding that the majority of students have been
improving but not all. I want to
continue the research over the course of another school year because I have
such a small school that the data will be more conclusive over two years. I will work towards gathering data from the
other schools in the district that are also participating in the program.
