EDLD 5326 Action Research Plan Update

I have conducted an extensive search for literature and other sources of information on text to speech and audio books. There is no substantial literature that I could find that would assist me with the use of text to speech technology. I have conducted interviews with the local university and companies that are publishing audio versions of textbooks already in print. They have been my main source of already existing research and data relating to my topic. I have collected data from target group in Fall 2011 and Spring 2012. This data showed promising results in the area of test to speech and audio technology enhancing the academic achievement of students with learning disabilities. These students have been able to access the core curriculum using this technology. They have also been able to take standardized assessments in Math and Science using audio technology. They are permitted the use of audio in the Reading assessments in Oregon. I am continually reviewing the data from teacher interviews, student interviews, observations, grades, file reviews, discipline referral data, state and district assessments and benchmarking. I have had to revise my group when members of my study group moved. I added two more students with learning disabilities to the existing group. I have collected the data and completed half the group, they graduated in June 2012. The three students in the research plan graduated with regular Oregon diplomas, a first for our school district to graduate 100% IDEA students with regular diplomas. I will collect the data from the Fall 2012 state assessments as well as grades, and final teacher reports and interviews. Once this data is collected I will compile the final results and write my report. I have worked an estimated 50 hours on this action research plan, most of it in the early stages last year. I will estimate an additional 20 hours to complete the project. http://ldubedld5306.wikispaces.com/EDLD+5326+Action+Research+Plan+Update

Action Research Plan Progress Report

Draft Action Research Project Report. a. Title – What academic gains will be achieved using technology to access instructional materials by students with specific learning disabilities? b. Needs Assessment – As the Special Education director I was constantly seeing low achievement among students with disabilities in the area of reading fluency and reading comprehension. This deficit affects the student across curriculum. I saw a need for facilitating access to curriculum using text to speech technology c. Objectives and Vision of the action research project. (ELCC 1.1) – To increase the academic achievement of students with disabilities. By utilizing technology, specifically text to speech technology to access curriculum. To use this technology not only with coursework, but with state assessments as allowed. d. Review of the Literature and Action Research Strategy –– All literature so far has been from BooKshare websites and blogs. This is an area that I must spend more time researching. I will address this in my revised Action Plan. e. Articulate the Vision (ELCC 1.2) – I presented at an in-service for the staff outlining the data pre implementation of the pro ject. I posted announcements on school website and blog and school wiki. I included the data on state assessments for students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers. I theorized that students with reading deficits were performing poorly on state and local assessments because of the inability to access the curriculum. f. Manage the organization (ELCC 3.1) – I asked our RtI director and her staff to help with the assessing and gathering of data. This was data before, progress monitoring during, and post plan data. The superintendent is responsible for allocating district resources and motivating staff. The general education teachers are responsible for modifying content to allow technology to facilitate full access to students involved in research. They are also responsible to gather data on assessments and progress monitor. I am responsible for the purchase and installation of software. g. Manage Operations (ELCC 3.2) – I have not experienced any conflicts among the teachers and staff involved in the plan. We have struggled with resources required to gather the data, mostly time. The early success of the students on state assessments has acted as a motivating factor. h. Respond to Community Interest and Needs (ELCC 4.2) – I have received overwhelming support from the community, faculty, and administration. The students with special needs, usually left behind, are having their specific needs addressed. We are changing delivery of the content material to address their needs and deficits, not trying to change or correct there disabilities. We must use the technology we have now to better serve this long neglected group.