Action
Research Project Title: Hispanic Forum
Blog
URL: http://www.angierichardactionresearch.blogspot.com/
Number
of AR Project Documented Hours: 28 preparation, 3
hours for the Forum itself
Total: 31 hours
AR
Project Summary (at least 250 words):
The Hispanic Forum is an exciting project that is
going well so far. I planned the first meeting over a couple of weeks. I had 5
separate meetings for a total of 10 meeting hours. I spent 18 total hours on
prep work – including research, printing, copies, flyers, schedules, PowerPoint
presentations, etc. The meeting was held on September 12 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm.
In total, 24 parents showed up to the meeting. At the meeting we covered
several items. Each student had a copy of their schedule and last year’s final
report card. We took the parents on a tour of the school and showed them where
their child spends their time during the day. It was amazing to see how
interested these parents were in seeing the classrooms their child spends their
days in. We also had charged laptops available for parents to use. We walked
them through the steps of signing up for Parent Connect. Parent Connect is an
online resource that allows parents to monitor their child’s grades,
attendance, and discipline. Parents have single click access to email teachers,
counselors, and principals. It is an amazing program that keeps communication
lines open for all members involved in their child’s education. The PowerPoint
presentation for the parents covered school procedures, school discipline (ISS,
OSS), dress code, schedule changes, clubs and organizations, and ways for the
parents to become involved in Klein Oak High School. We provided Spanish
speaking contact information for each department so parents would know exactly
who to call for any issues. When the meeting was over, we had a survey to ask
for feedback. Surprisingly, these parents wanted even more information. We have
a second Hispanic Forum scheduled for December. In the meantime, I am compiling
information for each child whose parent(s) attended the Hispanic Forum. I will
be evaluation whether or not the parental involvement had a positive effect on
the ESL student’s academic performance, discipline, and attendance.
324 words