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43
CHAPTER 2
PART B: METHODOLOGY
Co-written by: Lesette Molina-Solis, Maurita De La Torre-Rubalcava,
& Alberto Alvarez
Inquiry Project Purpose
The purpose of this alternative capstone was to examine the impact of the
inquiry project to examine the ways it is related to current educational reform efforts
on closing the achievement gap for the Hispanic EL student population in RUSD.
Three distinct purposes drove this alternative capstone inquiry project. The first
purpose was to examine the impact of the district’s current educational reform efforts
on closing the achievement gap for the Hispanic EL student population in RUSD.
The second purpose was to utilize the Clark and Estes (2002) gap analysis model as a
problem-solving framework for analyzing the Hispanic EL achievement gap by
exploring the motivational, organizational, and knowledge-based barriers that impact
the achievement gap. The third purpose was to examine the current state of the
various reform efforts implemented in RUSD to address the achievement gaps as
noted by API and AYP amongst the Hispanic EL student population.
Gap Analysis Overview
The gap analysis is a systematic problem-solving approach to helping
improve performance and achieve organizational goals (Clark & Estes, 2002). The
Gap analysis model is an effective tool to explicitly communicate the problem
statement using goals, measures/performance indicators, standards, and gaps. The
Object Description
| Title | An alternative capstone project: A gap analysis inquiry project on the district reform efforts and its impact in narrowing the Hispanic EL achievement gap in Rowland Unified School District |
| Author | Molina-Solis, Lesette Wendy |
| Author email | lwm5995@lausd.net; molinaso@usc.edu |
| Degree | Doctor of Education |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | Education (Leadership) |
| School | Rossier School of Education |
| Date defended/completed | 2011-01-19 |
| Date submitted | 2011 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2011-04-28 |
| Advisor (committee chair) |
Rueda, Robert S. Marsh, David D. |
| Advisor (committee member) | Escalante, Michael F. |
| Abstract | The purpose of this case study was to conduct a gap analysis for the pervasive underperformance of Hispanic English Learner (EL) students in Rowland Unified School District. This qualitative inquiry project looked at educational practices from elementary through middle school throughout the district and how these aligned to district initiatives for narrowing the gap. Through the use of interviews, observations and surveys, the authors gathered information to develop perceived root causes and then formulate solutions to present to the Superintendent and her executive board.; The process of change, district support and cultural proficiency all contributed to the existing Hispanic EL achievement gap in Rowland Unified. Despite the district’s efforts in addressing the students’ needs via district wide initiatives supported from a grant through the Ball Foundation, high beliefs in collaboration and de-centralized nature of the district, Hispanic EL student needs were not adequately being addressed. In actuality, the fairly recent programs identified to address EL needs had not been fully implemented by all district stakeholders. Although district level personnel demonstrated much support and commitment to addressing EL student needs, the decentralized nature of the district hampered the implementation with fidelity of EL classroom strategies. Lastly, a sufficient percentage of staff members had perceived assumptions about their students’ academic progress. The staff overwhelming demonstrated limited cultural proficiency about their students’ home life, background and knowledge base to adequately aid their students in gaining access to the classroom curriculum. In addition to sustaining and ensuring implementation of research based effective teaching practices for ELs, staff members need to increase their understanding of their students’ cultural background through guidance and increased accountability from the district. |
| Keyword | Hispanic EL; achievement gap; gap analysis |
| Geographic subject | school districts: Rowland Unified School District |
| Geographic subject (county) | Los Angeles |
| Geographic subject (state) | California |
| Geographic subject (country) | USA |
| Coverage date | 2001/2010 |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m3802 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Rights | Molina-Solis, Lesette Wendy |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Filename | etd-MolinaSolis-4309 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume14/etd-MolinaSolis-4309.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 50 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Full text | 43 CHAPTER 2 PART B: METHODOLOGY Co-written by: Lesette Molina-Solis, Maurita De La Torre-Rubalcava, & Alberto Alvarez Inquiry Project Purpose The purpose of this alternative capstone was to examine the impact of the inquiry project to examine the ways it is related to current educational reform efforts on closing the achievement gap for the Hispanic EL student population in RUSD. Three distinct purposes drove this alternative capstone inquiry project. The first purpose was to examine the impact of the district’s current educational reform efforts on closing the achievement gap for the Hispanic EL student population in RUSD. The second purpose was to utilize the Clark and Estes (2002) gap analysis model as a problem-solving framework for analyzing the Hispanic EL achievement gap by exploring the motivational, organizational, and knowledge-based barriers that impact the achievement gap. The third purpose was to examine the current state of the various reform efforts implemented in RUSD to address the achievement gaps as noted by API and AYP amongst the Hispanic EL student population. Gap Analysis Overview The gap analysis is a systematic problem-solving approach to helping improve performance and achieve organizational goals (Clark & Estes, 2002). The Gap analysis model is an effective tool to explicitly communicate the problem statement using goals, measures/performance indicators, standards, and gaps. The |
