EDLD 5301 Week 2: Reflection on Video Interviews

Video Interview:  Johnny Briseno

In the interview with Johnny Briseno, he identifies action inquiry as a process that requires a person to look at the qualitative and quantitative data.  In this interview, he implements an action inquiry on a teacher’s comment that her class only has a 50% passing rate on TAKS compared to a 75% passing rate the previous year.

In the first step of his action inquiry, he suggests that we look at the home environment or outside factors that may be contributing to the difference in scores.  As an educator, I know this step is vital to finding a solution to this action inquiry.  I have learned from experience that many factors outside of the school walls can affect the productivity of students.  I also know that outside factors can affect the productivity of teachers.  I have seen many educators that are struggling in their personal life bring their problems to work.  Some people have not mastered the ability to leave personal life at home and work at work.

Briseno reaffirmed my belief that data is not only numbers.  All educators and campuses should look at the qualitative and quantitative data when addressing action inquiries.

Video Interview:  Dr. Kirk Lewis

In the interview with Dr. Kirk Lewis, speaks about “Expectation Graduation”.  Expectation Graduation is a project that requires action inquiry on the way curriculum and instruction is being implemented.  Its goal is to promote higher graduation rates amongst high school students by evaluating how the curriculum and instruction affects dropout rates.

Dr. Lewis suggests that an action inquiry on student engagement and graduation rates must first be evaluated through content and instruction.  Is the curriculum relevant and rigorous?  Are the teacher’s instructional methods engaging students?

Dr. Lewis raises some interesting points regarding student graduation rates and student engagement.  I believe that many students dropout, because they are bored and not engaged in the classroom.  I also believe that many students take dual credit courses or try to graduate a year early, because school is not engaging them.  Speaking from my own personal experience, I was not engaged in high school and I decided to take all my Junior and Senior credits in one year.  I did not want to dropout, but I could not imagine wasting another year of my life in high school.

All of the video interviews, made me realize that educators must be life-long learners that learn how to engage students of the present.  Educators need to be willing to be involved with action inquiry instead of letting someone else solve their problems.  Ownership of solutions must include all stakeholders.