Week Three Posting of Inquiry

Inquiry Topic: Why are enrollment rates of African American and Latino males in AP classes lower than the at large population? What can we do to correct that issue?

• Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation:
The goal is simple to state yet difficult to attain. The goal would be increased enrollment among African American and Latino males within our AP classes. In specific, that our percentage of participation and achievement would mirror the at-large population trends. That is to say, on my campus African American and Latino males comprise approximately 15% of our population. In turn, that number should be mirrored in AP enrollment. At least 15% of our enrollees in AP courses should be among the target group.
• Activities designed to achieve the objectives:
Through the course of the inquiry, forces that contribute to lower enrollment rates should be actively identified. Correction plans should be formed and implemented. Further, students that are prime candidates should be identified and encouraged to enroll.
• Resources and research tools needed for data gathering:
Analysis of student performance results, TAKS, would serve as the beginning step. Students that attained Commended Performance would then be cross-checked against AP enrollment. Students that had attained Commended Status and were not enrolled in AP classes would be surveyed and interviewed, pending parental approval. Surveys and interviews would seek to identify causal factors that inhibited student enrollment.
• Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities:
Due to the fact that we are a new campus, research will be delayed slightly. Research will begin by mid September of 2010 and will be concluded by mid October of 2010. Implementation would begin as soon as approved. Particular attention should be given to implementation prior to spring registration for the 2011-2012 school year.
• Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan:
I will assume major responsibility for the research. I will require the assistance of our Lead Counselor K.C. Further I will acquire assistance and continued approval from my supervisor Karen Kraft.
• Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives:
An initial indication of success will be participation in the survey or interview process. If students are unwilling to participate it will be difficult to affect any change. Second, the rate of enrollment will be a strong evaluator of success. Final achievement on the exam or at least a willingness to attempt the exam will be our final indicator.
• Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study:
Again, enrollment statistics are likely the single greatest evaluator of the inquiry’s success. As a second evaluative tool, AP Exam scores and AP Exam participation rates would further validate success or failure.

• Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation:
The goal is simple to state yet difficult to attain. The goal would be increased enrollment among African American and Latino males within our AP classes. In specific, that our percentage of participation and achievement would mirror the at-large population trends. That is to say, on my campus African American and Latino males comprise approximately 15% of our population. In turn, that number should be mirrored in AP enrollment. At least 15% of our enrollees in AP courses should be among the target group.
• Activities designed to achieve the objectives:
Through the course of the inquiry, forces that contribute to lower enrollment rates should be actively identified. Correction plans should be formed and implemented. Further, students that are prime candidates should be identified and encouraged to enroll.
• Resources and research tools needed for data gathering:
Analysis of student performance results, TAKS, would serve as the beginning step. Students that attained Commended Performance would then be cross-checked against AP enrollment. Students that had attained Commended Status and were not enrolled in AP classes would be surveyed and interviewed, pending parental approval. Surveys and interviews would seek to identify causal factors that inhibited student enrollment.
• Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities
Due to the fact that we are a new campus, research will be delayed slightly. Research will begin by mid September of 2010 and will be concluded by mid October of 2010. Implementation would begin as soon as approved. Particular attention should be given to implementation prior to spring registration for the 2011-2012 school year.
• Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan
I will assume major responsibility for the research. I will require the assistance of our Lead Counselor K.C. Further I will acquire assistance and continued approval from my supervisor Karen Kraft.
• Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives
An initial indication of success will be participation in the survey or interview process. If students are unwilling to participate it will be difficult to affect any change. Second, the rate of enrollment will be a strong evaluator of success. Final achievement on the exam or at least a willingness to attempt the exam will be our final indicator.
• Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study
Again, enrollment statistics are likely the single greatest evaluator of the inquiry’s success. As a second evaluative tool, AP Exam scores and AP Exam participation rates would further validate success or failure.