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This artifact was the final draft of my thesis proposal. My first section was an introduction, problem statement, and research questions. Next, was a literature review discussion research that backs my proposal. The research was on the effects of tutoring on academic growth, the effects of individualized instruction on mathematics growth, and finally, the effects of positive reinforcement on mathematics achievement. Additionally, there was included a unit of analysis and context of the thesis. The next section was the methodology of the study. Then I concluded with the data analysis of the study.
Rationale for Inclusion
I chose this artifact for one of my domain four examples. I did so because this was my thesis proposal for my Methods of Research class. In this artifact, I reflect on teaching in many ways. I am conducting a study measuring the growth of students in three different classes by using three different treatments. The purpose of this study was to determine if these treatment options would help to bridge the gap between higher and lower socioeconomic groups. I tried to keep the groups as alike as possible. I conducted research backing up how each of the three treatments should help student achievement. Ultimately, I am looking to improve student achievement in lower socioeconomic groups through these three treatments. That is a reflection on teaching in a nutshell. I will maintain accurate records throughout my study. This is part of my thesis proposal as I am accurately recording data of student progress as well as recording the unit of analysis and context with the school setting as well. The context and unit of analysis of this study are the students who are subjects in this study. Their backgrounds, school settings, and socioeconomic levels are important aspects of this study and are therefore in need of accurate records. The data that will be recorded throughout the study will be the pretests of all subjects in the six classes. There will also be a post-test that will measure the growth of all students throughout the study. Additionally, it is important to record data of the t-tests conducted on each group. This will determine if the improvements are statistically significant or just due to sampling error. I will be communicating with families throughout the process of this study by making sure that they understand any risks and also making them aware that only pseudonyms will be used and no personal information will be disclosed outside of the study. Students will maintain complete anonymity. Students and parents will have the option of not participating in the study. However, all information will be provided before the study begins to keep communication channels open at the onset of the study. Communication channels must remain open throughout the study. These are important aspects of any study. This study is a participation in the professional community. Researching a given profession is certainly within the realm of participating in a professional community. I believe that teaching is a professional community and adding to the research of that community fits the description perfectly. Researching a profession, ensuring anonymity, maintaining accurate records, communicating with families involved in the study, and reflecting on that profession are components of a larger display of professionalism. I believe that each of those elements makes up professionalism as a whole. I also believe that it goes beyond the typical professionalism of a teacher who has not yet conducted such a study. Teachers who are teaching as well as receiving professional development could be considered professionals and this is going above and beyond that scope. Most importantly this will positively affect the lives of students who are not as privileged and create more equity within the education system. This will intern strengthen teaching as a whole.
My final artifact was an analysis of school funding law. It starts off with the scenario involved in the school funding law. It continues to include the application, elements, and ruling of previous case law involved with the law. Further on, it articulates the law’s impact on schools, administrators, parents, and finally students and teachers.
Rationale for Inclusion
I chose this artifact for my portfolio because I believe it adequately fits into the fourth domain. I believe there is a reflection on teaching in this artifact. There is currently a specific problem in the teaching field and that is inequitable funding between districts. This artifact addresses a proposed case that would help to offset that inequity. This is extremely important because there exists an extreme gap in funding between the wealthier and poorer districts. This gap in turn creates a gap in achievement, sports programs, technology, as well as quality of teachers and facilities. This artifact is an analysis of a current case that would help to bring much great equity between schools regarding funding. This artifact maintains meticulous and accurate records in two different ways. First, it is recording information regarding a current case that is being looked at to bring about equitable funding. Secondly, this artifact is citing several prior cases which might factor in the decision in this current case. Both of these sections of the artifact are providing strong evidence of accurate record-keeping of the current and prior cases. While this artifact doesn’t directly deal with communicating with families it does indirectly communicate with them. It provides evidence of a problem involving their communities regarding inequity in their schools. It also provides information on a current case that would greatly enhance equity between their schools and wealthier schools. It also provides information on prior case studies which might influence the outcome of this particular case. Poorer communities have the right to know what is going on regarding the inequity in funding throughout the state. They also have a right to know information that might provide useful in fixing that inequity. This artifact’s backbone as to how it relates to domain four is key in the next two elements of domain four. This artifact is allowing me to participate in a professional community. Both law and education are professional communities and this is a blending of both. Participation is an analysis of the case and prior case that would influence its outcome. It is articulating the problem of inequity in school funding and a possible solution to the problem. All students deserve at least a minimal education that will support them and help them to access social mobility to have a decent living. This artifact is presenting a case that could help do that through both the educational and law professions. Ultimately, I believe that this artifact expresses professionalism. It shows a reflection on education through an analysis of a current case. It shows a maintaining of accurate records through that analysis of current and prior cases. It communicates with families regarding a well-known problem that poorer communities battle with and how it can be rectified. I believe that this goes beyond the scope of an entry-level teacher’s influence and analysis of both education and school law. I believe that professionalism also incorporates the need to be a voice for those who do not have a voice themselves. This artifact does just that throughout its entirety.
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