History |
As of the 2019-2020 school year there were around 2,900 students enrolled at the school in grades 9-12. Of this population, 90% of the students were minorities and 70% were eligible for free and reduced lunch. The majority of the students were Hispanic and have either exited from the English Learner program or were currently enrolled in it. My action research was centered around one of my freshman English classes. I had 33 total students enrolled in this course. It was made up of 20 boys and 13 girls. Nine students received special education services and 25 were exited from the English Learner program.
Need |
From data that was collected at the beginning of the year, my students showed a need in reading comprehension. This data was shown through their scores on the Literary Text: Theme and Analysis section of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test. The MAP test is an online test that helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for students and to help in making informed decisions to increase student academic growth. Forty-five percent of my students tested below the 21st percentile and 30% tested between the 21st-40th percentile in this area. Additionally, through observations of student comments, it was clear that students were having a hard time determining what texts were really trying to say. This theme was also present in their writing when asked questions about the main idea. I saw that there was a need to support their comprehension through the use of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These four components are necessary for those that are learners of English so that they are able to become better proficient in the language. All of these data points combined showed me that this was an area in which my students were struggling and that they were in need of some additional support in determining what the main idea of a literary text was.
Importance |
The information gained from this study is important because the main idea of a text is what the author wants to communicate to its readers. If my students are unable to identify what the main idea is, then they will be unable to comprehend what a text is trying to say. Once student gain the skills necessary for finding the main idea, they will be able to have a clearer understanding of the texts that they come across. Whether they move on to post-secondary schooling or the workforce, reading and comprehension are at the basis of whatever it is they wish to do with their lives. Thus, it is necessary for them to practice these skills now so that they will be better prepared for their future.