Week 2- in search of a topic

Before meeting with a supervisor in my department, I spent time reflecting and narrowing some research questions into three questions:

• How will the new implementation of a balanced literacy approach impact student achievement?
• What is the impact of professional coaching on teacher performance?
• What impact on student learning does a self-contained dual language classroom with one bilingual teacher have versus a dual language class served by two educators, one ESL and one Bilingual?

We discussed the implications of each question. I was finding it difficult to identify the exact success indicators I would use for question one. The benefit to completing this research would be the opinions offered or further questions posed based on my research. In regard to the second question, there was some concern revolving the receptiveness of teachers and campus coaches in obtaining the measures. This option is the most intriguing as it directly relates to my job role. This is the option I am leaning towards pursuing because it will have a great impact on my own leadership as I advise the coaches in the division of schools I am assigned to. I must further consider how to measure this success and put special considerations into measuring this data so that it is not evaluative in nature but rather reflective. The final questions I proposed for research was the one I was the most interested in learning the answer to. However, because I am new to the district I am now employed by, there are many elements that will be different to investigate. In formulating my questions I surveyed several of my colleagues to gain an understanding of the bilingual practices in the campuses they have visited. Many of them expressed a concern that I may have difficulty identifying a campus that had a bilingual section served by two teachers, ESL and Bilingual. The vast majority of bilingual students in the district are served by one bilingual teacher who adheres to a ‘Language of the Day” schedule.

I left the meeting with the thought that I will continue to investigate questions revolving the impact of professional coaching on teacher effectiveness. Over the following week I will clarify my question and deliberate ways to quantify my evidence.