Updated AR Plan

Updated Action Research Planning Table

Action Planning Template
Goal: How can we increase enrollment in Computer Science and STEM courses in CISD, especially for women?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Setting the foundation. Meet with site mentor and campus Principal to discuss the importance of Computer Science (CS), and the value of engaging young women in STEM courses.	Linda Woessner Meet with Shawn Duhon Rebecca Rollins Sharolyn Overby	Nov 28 - Dec 2	Email, Set meeting times	Completed meetings and discussions.
2. Analyzing Data. Research and collect available resources to understand the status of CS Classes and enrolment in CISD as compared to the State and National rates.	Linda Woessner Coordinate with local CSTA members Use information from CSTA and ACM websites, and others	Dec 2 – Jan 2 (and ongoing)	Internet search of available resources of all types. Discussion Groups. RSS.	Written summary of information gathered. Numerical data compiled in charts and graphs wherever possible.
3. Developing Deeper Understanding. Survey the current student population to determine attitudes towards CS. Compare differences in attitudes between male and female students. Continue to look for current research.	Linda Woessner Carroll Sr. High STEM teachers and guidance counselors	Conduct survey from Jan 17 – 31. Data analysis from Jan 31 – Feb 29.	On-line and paper survey.	Completed survey by as large a population as possible. Data summarized, analyzed, and broken down by gender.
4. Engage in self-reflection. Examine CISD course offerings and policies to determine if there are any ways to broaden the appeal of CS courses for all students, especially females.	Linda Woessner Shawn Duhon, Carroll Sr. High Teachers	Feb 1 – Feb 29	School policy descriptions, and course descriptions.	Written summary of results.
5. Exploring Programmatic Patterns. Begin to formulate ideas that could be implemented on our campus to encourage increased participation in CS and STEM courses.	Linda Woessner Discuss and receive input from Campus Decision Committee, Department Coordinators, and Guidance Department	Feb 1 – 29, 2012		List of potential ideas.
6. Determine Direction. Choose specific steps to be taken.	Linda Woessner Shawn Duhon, Sharolyn Overby	March 1 - 23	Resources dependent on plan of action.	List of ideas we can implement on our campus.
7. Taking Action. Develop a written plan of action. Include the following: a)Promoting National CSEdWeek to raise awareness of CS Education in the district and community. b)Actively recruit during course enrollment period, and c)Rewrite CS course descriptions	Linda Woessner Coordinate with Campus Webmaster, Publicity Department, and KDGN team. School Counselors, and Campus Technologist	CSEdWeek preparation and planning: Nov 1, 2011 to Dec 10, 2011 Enrollment period: Jan 2012	Promotional Materials: Posters, video announcements, website updates, flyers, district email blast	Successful promotions during the week of Dec 4 – 10, National CSEdWeek
8.Sustaining Improvement. Analyze results and revise plans for following year, continuing to follow current research.	Linda Woessner, Shawn Duhon	April – May 2012	Research and Data	Monitor enrollment statistics, hopefully to see a trend towards more students, and  a higher percentage of females

Action Research Project update

Action Research Project Title:

How can we increase enrollment in Computer Science courses in CISD, especially for women?

Blog URL: http://woessneredu.blogspot.com/

Number of AR Project Documented Hours: approximately 40

AR Project Summary (at least 250 words):

Universities in the United States are not producing enough Computer Science graduates to fill industry demand, and women are a shockingly small percentage of those students. As our society is becoming more and more dependent on technology, the expertise required to drive this industry is largely being ignored in our school system. Computer Science jobs are regularly associated with high quality of life, and good pay, and women have historically been a large part of the field.

I want to find out what current research is available to explain these issues, and find and develop some ideas to overcome them. I would also like to network with other high school computer science teachers to discover what they are doing to increase enrolment and encourage women to try Computer Science. My plan is to test some new ideas at my high school, see if any are successful, and share my experiences with other Computer Science teachers.