Addressing Low Academic Performance

1. Summary of Scholarly Resources

a) Lowe, Pam Top 10 Ways to Improve student Achievement and Create Learners, .11.19.2010. Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pam-lowe/top-10-ways-to-improve-st_b_786205.html retrieved 8/3/2013
b) Watson, Warren E., Kamalesh Kumar, and Larry K. Michaelsen. “Cultural diversity’s impact on interaction process and performance: Comparing homogeneous and diverse task groups.” Academy of management journal 36.3 (1993): 590-602.

c) Maheady, Larry, M. Katherine Sacca, and Gregory F. Harper. “Classwide Student Tutoring Teams The Effects of Peer-Mediated Instruction on the Academic Performance of Secondary Mainstreamed Students.” The Journal of Special Education 21.3 (1987): 107-121

d) Keogh, E., Bond, F. W., & Flaxman, P. E. (2006). Improving academic performance and mental health through a stress management intervention: Outcomes and mediators of change. Behaviour research and therapy, 44(3), 339-357.

e) Sadler, D. Royce. “Evaluation and the improvement of academic learning.” The Journal of Higher Education (1983): 60-79.

f) Symons, Cynthia Wolford, et al. “Bridging student health risks and academic achievement through comprehensive school health programs.” Journal of school Health 67.6 (1997): 220-227.

2. The Organization- Expanded Description

The Organization – W.H. Atwell Middle School is located in Dallas, TX and is one of 72 middle schools in Dallas Independent School District. It is a public school that serves 905 students in grades 6-8. W.H. Atwell didn’t meet AYP in 2011. Under No Child Left Behind, a school makes Adequately Yearly Progress (AYP) if it achieves the minimum levels of improvement determined by the state of Texas in terms of student performance and other accountability measures.

-Motto/Mission: The mission of W.H. Atwell is to ensure that all students demonstrate the academic, leadership, social, and emotional skills needed to be successful in tomorrow’s world. This is accomplished in an environment that responds to the unique needs of each student through excellence in instruction and a partnership of students, staff, parents and community.

– Organization name: William Hawley Atwell Middle School Law Academy
– Principal: Ms. Selena Deboskie
– Grade Levels: 6-8
– Trustee District: District 6
– Location: Dallas, TX
– Principal: Ms. Selena Deboskie
– Employees: 65
3. The Problem – Expanded Description
– Main problem: W.H. Atwell didn’t meet adequate yearly progress in 2011
– Causes of the problem:
– 1. Poor communication between administration and teachers.
– 2. Inconsistencies in disciplining severe behavior problems in the classroom.
– 3. Lack of student discipline in the classroom
– Impact of the problem:
– Many students did not meet the state standards on the STAAR (State of Texas Academic Achievement Readiness)
4. Preliminary Solution Options
– Several options will be considered. They are listed below:
Option 1: Share a vision
Option 2: Analyze data
Option 3: Increase Rigor
Option 4: Teach students the levels of rigor

Option 5: Teach smarter not harder

o Recommended solutions (preliminary). SinceAtwell has been affected by the recent budget cuts this year, we need to look for solutions that already work.

So, the preliminary recommendation consists of a combination of the following options:
• Recommend multi modal teaching styles
• At the beginning of the school year all teachers will attend a three day workshop
• All teachers are required to attend a three day summer institute prior to the beginning of the school year.
• All teachers will attend collaborative planning once a week. Teachers will collaborate on best practices that work in the classroom. Subject areas will work together on learning assessments and teaching strategies as well as lesson plans for the entire school year.
5. Analysis of Leadership/Organizational Behavior Concepts
– The following concepts from MGMT591 might apply in this case:
o The Burr Theory of Leadership. This theory provides a model for leading under poor conditions. Since Atwell is low performing and mainly low income families attend this school, this theory should be applicable.
o Alderfer’s ERG Theory of Motivation. To develop a recognition system forstudents we need to analyze the types of needs they have. This theory will help us to do that. It also allows for overlapping of these needs, which I feel may apply to this situation.
o Motivator-Hygiene Theory. Using this theory, we will identify hygiene factors which are necessary for minimal student learning. Implementation of these factors could help Atwell get out of the downward spiral it is currently in. I will also explore motivator factors that could be implemented later to increase students’ grades.
o Intrinsic Rewards. Since intrinsic rewards come from a student’s own satisfaction in the work completed, there are no additional expenses involved. Also intrinsic rewards are believed to have a longer lasting effect than extrinsic rewards.
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