Mini Research Proposal(Revised 3-10-99) submitted by Karen, Dawn, Beth & Kim

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Mini Research Proposal (Revised 3-10-99

Respectfully Submitted by: Karen Swenson, Dawn Schindeldecekr, Beth Cramer and Kim McDonald

I. Mini Research Proposal

A. Background

In 1996, the multiage classrooms at Falls Elementary School in International Falls, Minnesota were awarded a $70,000.00 grant from the Center for School Change. One year later, the Center for Reducing Rural Violence opened up grant applications to the Center for School Change grantees. The Falls Elementary School teachers recognized the need for a violence prevention program, which would create a school climate where students feel safe. Consequently, a committee of students, parents, teachers, administrators and community members was established to observe student behaviors and assess whether or not there was a need for a behavior intervention program. After concluding that there was a need, the committee chose to preview several social skills programs. The committee then selected the "Responsive Classroom" intervention program. The committee chose to submit a grant proposal for teacher training in Koochiching County to implement the "Responsive Classroom" approach. The grant proposal was approved and teacher training will take place August 1999. Implementation of the "Responsive Classroom" will commence September 1999.

The "Responsive Classroom" brings together academic curriculum based on developmentally appropriate practices and a social curriculum that builds a caring, respectful community. In respectful and proactive ways, children are taught expectations for behavior, care for themselves, each other and their materials and the skills necessary to be independent and motivated learners. Children are involved in the process in such a way that they feel an ownership and responsibility for managing and adopting ethical behavior.

B. Statement of the Problem

Research has shown that the "Responsive Classroom" approach has had a positive impact on social and academic behavior, while decreasing problem behaviors. (Northeast Foundation for Children

The Hypothesis: Students in grades three through six at Falls Elementary School, exposed to the "Responsive Classroom" approach, will demonstrate a decreased number of inappropriate behaviors.

The Research Question: Will the "Responsive Classroom" social skills program decrease inappropriate behaviors in students, grades three through six, at Falls Elementary School?

C. Rationale for the Study

At the present time we intend to replicate the "Responsive Classroom" studies currently being conducted by the Northeast Foundation for Children using the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS, Gresham and Elliott, 1990), Students Social Skills Scale (SSSS, Nolten, 1994), the Responsive Classroom Usage Checklist (Elliott, 1993) and the Responsive Classroom Questionnaire (Elliott, 1994). We will determine our exact instrumentation upon the completion of our review of the reliability, validity and the availability of these instruments.

The results of our thesis study will be used by Independent School District #361 and the Center for Reducing Rural Violence Committee to measure the effectiveness of the "Responsive Classroom" approach in International Falls.

The results of our research may validate the application for the "Responsive Classroom" approach in elementary schools nationwide.

D. Definition of Terms

1. Responsive Classroom: A social skills approach that brings together academic curriculum based on developmentally appropriate practices and a social curriculum that builds a caring, respectful community. In respectful and proactive ways, children are taught expectations for behavior, care for themselves, each other and their materials and the skills necessary to be independent and motivated learners. Children are involved in the process in such a way that they feel an ownership and responsibility for managing and adopting ethical behavior.

2. Center for School Change: An organization that gives grants to rural communities for school reform projects.

3. Inappropriate Behavior: This definition will be determined by the instruments utilized in our research.



-- Anonymous, March 19, 1999

Answers

Hi Kim, Beth, Dawn & Karen:

Your research proposal is very well thought out and I am most interested in your results. I look forward to review your complete proposal, including instrumentation for pre/post-testing.

Personally, I like the idea of multiage grouping as it reminds me of the one-room schoolhouse. Or it takes a village......

Talk to you on Wednesday - see you in April, Mary Ann

-- Anonymous, March 21, 1999


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