Needs Assessment:Needs Assessment:Problem-Finding, Problem Problem-Finding, Problem

Solving MethodSolving Method

Anna DavisAnna Davis

Summer 2009Summer 2009

Reasons for Problem-Finding, Reasons for Problem-Finding, Problem Solving ModelProblem Solving Model

I decided to use this model because I I decided to use this model because I have been able to find a problem with have been able to find a problem with 55thth grade students not meeting state grade students not meeting state standards in Science.standards in Science.

This model also allows for the use of This model also allows for the use of state assessment scores to help state assessment scores to help identify that there is a problem.identify that there is a problem.

Problem IdentificationProblem IdentificationStudent ScoresStudent Scores– The amount of students passing the 5The amount of students passing the 5thth Grade Grade

Science WASL in the district:Science WASL in the district: 2005-2006: 33.9%2005-2006: 33.9% 2006-2007: 30.2%2006-2007: 30.2% 2007-2008: 39.7%2007-2008: 39.7%

– The weakest strand appears to be the Systems of The weakest strand appears to be the Systems of Science based on classroom discussions and student Science based on classroom discussions and student answers to assessment probes (Keeley probes).answers to assessment probes (Keeley probes).

– All students need to pass to be able to graduate from All students need to pass to be able to graduate from High School (state superintendent decision).High School (state superintendent decision).

Instructional or Training NeedsInstructional or Training Needs

Identification of MisconceptionsIdentification of Misconceptions– Students’ misconceptions in science need to be identified and Students’ misconceptions in science need to be identified and

corrected through the use of probes.corrected through the use of probes. An example of one misconception that students have is the way energy An example of one misconception that students have is the way energy

is transferred in a system, specifically energy. They assume that heat is transferred in a system, specifically energy. They assume that heat comes directly from the sun, when really it is light energy.comes directly from the sun, when really it is light energy.

Teachers will need training on how to assess the probes and identify Teachers will need training on how to assess the probes and identify materials to correct the misconceptions. Teachers will need to materials to correct the misconceptions. Teachers will need to collaborate on how best to do this. collaborate on how best to do this.

Science TrainingScience Training– Teachers need more “background” knowledge to help supplement Teachers need more “background” knowledge to help supplement

their science curriculums.their science curriculums.– Teachers will need to attend trainings conducted by the district Teachers will need to attend trainings conducted by the district

science coach.science coach.

Before School Science ClubBefore School Science Club

Club designed to give 5Club designed to give 5thth grade students grade students extra science time.extra science time.

They were exposed to more vocabulary and different They were exposed to more vocabulary and different science opportunities.science opportunities.

They were given opportunities for more kinesthetic They were given opportunities for more kinesthetic learning.learning.

Students were given an opportunity to work Students were given an opportunity to work with more state released WASL items.with more state released WASL items.

There was an emphasis on inquiry, design, There was an emphasis on inquiry, design, and application.and application.

Non-Instructional NeedsNon-Instructional Needs

Funding for teacher trainingFunding for teacher training Funding and time for teacher collaborationFunding and time for teacher collaboration Access to supplemental materials including Access to supplemental materials including

internet video clips.internet video clips. Funding for before school science clubFunding for before school science club Access to computers for students to Access to computers for students to

research.research.

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment

What are the characteristics of the teachers/trainers who What are the characteristics of the teachers/trainers who will be using your instructional unit/materials?will be using your instructional unit/materials?– The make up of the teachers vary greatly but all teach 5The make up of the teachers vary greatly but all teach 5 thth grade grade

students. The number in normally between two to four teachers students. The number in normally between two to four teachers per building.per building.

– All teachers have a bachelor’s degree. All teachers have a bachelor’s degree. – 70% of teachers have a master’s degree or higher.70% of teachers have a master’s degree or higher.– 98% meet the credentials of being highly qualified98% meet the credentials of being highly qualified– Approximately 25% of fifth grader teachers in the district are male.Approximately 25% of fifth grader teachers in the district are male.– Most have had experience working with the science curriculum and Most have had experience working with the science curriculum and

have been trained on how to use it as well as student notebook have been trained on how to use it as well as student notebook training.training.

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment

Are there existing curricula into which their piece Are there existing curricula into which their piece of instruction must fit? of instruction must fit? – Currently the school district uses science kits supplied Currently the school district uses science kits supplied

by the North Central ESD. by the North Central ESD. – We receive three different kits a year. 5We receive three different kits a year. 5thth grade grade

receives motion and design in the fall, land and water in receives motion and design in the fall, land and water in the winter, and ecosystems in the spring.the winter, and ecosystems in the spring.

– Each kit is with the teacher for two and a half months.Each kit is with the teacher for two and a half months.– These include preplanned lessons that have a clearly These include preplanned lessons that have a clearly

defined objective that students meet.defined objective that students meet.

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment What hardware is commonly available?What hardware is commonly available?

– Most classrooms include at least one teacher computer Most classrooms include at least one teacher computer and at least one student computer. Most teachers have and at least one student computer. Most teachers have two or more student computers.two or more student computers.

– Computer labs are available in all buildings which Computer labs are available in all buildings which includes a class set of computers.includes a class set of computers.

– In the next three years, all classes will have an In the next three years, all classes will have an interactive white board and technology cart, which interactive white board and technology cart, which includes document camera, dvd/vcr, and mac computer.includes document camera, dvd/vcr, and mac computer.

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment

What are the characteristics of the classes that will What are the characteristics of the classes that will use the new instruction?use the new instruction?– Classrooms have an average of 27 students.Classrooms have an average of 27 students.– All classes are ethnically diverse and multicultural.All classes are ethnically diverse and multicultural.– Amount of time spent on science instruction varies from Amount of time spent on science instruction varies from

one hour twice a week to one hour every day.one hour twice a week to one hour every day.– Most have a variety of technology in them including:Most have a variety of technology in them including:

Document cameraDocument camera Interactive white boardInteractive white board computerscomputers

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment

What are the characteristics of the school system What are the characteristics of the school system in which the new instruction will take place?in which the new instruction will take place?– The school system includes nine elementary schools The school system includes nine elementary schools

that includes over 7,000 students.that includes over 7,000 students.– It includes: 51% male and 49% femaleIt includes: 51% male and 49% female– There has been a large emphasis in math in the last There has been a large emphasis in math in the last

year due to a new math curriculum adoption. Most year due to a new math curriculum adoption. Most schools are spending an hour and a half a day on math schools are spending an hour and a half a day on math and an hour in reading.and an hour in reading.

– All schools include site-based decision making.All schools include site-based decision making.

Learning EnvironmentLearning Environment

What is the philosophy of the school district?What is the philosophy of the school district?– Each building has their own mission Each building has their own mission

statement/philosophy.statement/philosophy. Many include teachers and staff who are dedicated to Many include teachers and staff who are dedicated to

help the learner succeed.help the learner succeed.

– The Moses Lake School District’s mission The Moses Lake School District’s mission statement is:statement is: An academic community dedicated to learning, An academic community dedicated to learning,

teaching, guiding, and challenging.teaching, guiding, and challenging.

Who are the Learners?Who are the Learners?

55thth grade students in Moses Lake School District. grade students in Moses Lake School District.

– 27 students in each classroom27 students in each classroom– 57% percent are free and reduced lunch57% percent are free and reduced lunch– 2 or more migrant students per classroom (average)2 or more migrant students per classroom (average)– 2 or more students with an IEP per classroom2 or more students with an IEP per classroom

Who are the Learners?Who are the Learners?

Gender:Gender: 51% male51% male 49% female49% female

Ethnicity of the learners:Ethnicity of the learners: 61% Caucasian61% Caucasian 33% Hispanic33% Hispanic 2% African American2% African American 1% Asian1% Asian

ReferencesReferences

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Retrieved June 27, 2009, from Retrieved June 27, 2009, from http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summaryhttp://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary