Action Plan Example:
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Analyze classroom, school, district and/or state data to determine decisions/actions needed to improve student performance and experienceIn reviewing classroom, school, district and state data for Colorado, there is a lack of data surrounding growth mindsets of students -- despite both the Jefferson County Public Schools and Weber Elementary Visions and Missions including a growth mindset focus.
While researching, I uncovered growth mindset surveys conducted by Panorama Education during the 2016-2017 school year in 68 schools – surveying more than 2,400 teachers and 36,000 students. Jack McDermott (n.d.), in his article “What If Students Have More Confidence in Growth Mindset Than Their Teachers?”, details the findings of these surveys based on questions posed to teachers about how possible it is for their students to change various qualities about themselves. These answers were compared with the answers received from their students.
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Additionally, tracking was completed regarding how students’ perceptions of their growth mindset changed across school levels -- examining responses from elementary, middle and high school students.
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Based on the above data, teachers viewed their students’ qualities as being easier to change, while students tended to have a more fixed mindset. On average, teacher responses scored 14% points higher than students on questions about growth mindset. Both students and teachers alike believed the easiest change that students can make in school were behavior and effort. The largest disconnect manifested in how much students could change how easily they give up/perseverance and their interest in school subjects (McDermott, n.d.).
Additionally, students’ favorable views decreased as they progressed through school from elementary to high school. The highest decline manifested in the students’ views about their talent and interest in school subjects. According to the data, 69% of elementary school students vs 53% of high school students reported that they can change how much they like their school subjects (McDermott, n.d.).
Additionally, students’ favorable views decreased as they progressed through school from elementary to high school. The highest decline manifested in the students’ views about their talent and interest in school subjects. According to the data, 69% of elementary school students vs 53% of high school students reported that they can change how much they like their school subjects (McDermott, n.d.).
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Collect and develop resourcesGrowth mindset education – conduct growth mindset training for teachers and administrators (during PLCs, in-service days and/or school/district meetings). Create and develop lesson plans/activities that focus on what growth mindsets are and how to develop a growth mindset -- can include videos, stories and/or articles. Develop and share growth mindset language. Display growth mindset language posters in classrooms.
Educate parents on growth mindsets and how they can continue encouraging their students at home. Introduce growth mindset with parents at Back To School events, share information via newsletters and provide updates during parent/teacher conferences. Student surveys – can be administered on paper and/or online throughout the school year to track progress. (Example: online test your mindset http://mindsetonline.com/testyourmindset/step1.php.) House responses online so that data can be easily accessed and updated. Focus groups – working closely with a smaller group of diverse students to gain a deeper understanding of students’ feelings about making mistakes and how their peers can affect their mindsets. Observations – observe students during lessons and activities to look for moments of growth and fixed mindsets and how each student handles challenges. Assessments – create growth mindset focused exit tickets and follow-up assessment/test correction forms that allow students to self-assess why they missed a question, correcting the answer, and explaining the correct answer by providing evidence/research. Growth Mindset Survey Google Forms https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSez7DCVS-D6BvTmFnkfthhIlZTJJO-41stAKVj_H0y6xwDODQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Growth Mindset Survey Responses & Data https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1A6_7Bngheam_OQ-0oljt-HUKYeal3amXTPZVrCaV-hk/edit?usp=sharing
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Colleague Interview ResultsBelow is a bulleted list of relevant answers from an interview conducted with a current teacher at Moore Middle School in the Jeffco Public School district in Colorado regarding Growth Mindsets.
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