COL Inquiry: This year I have the privilege of being a member of the Manaiakalani COL (Community of Learning) for 2024. I have selected reading as my inquiry focus. This is because most of the students in my literacy class of Year 7 & 8 students are reading below their age. I have 30 students in my literacy class. Their reading ages range from 5 years old (ESOL student) to 11 years old, so there is quite a range.
Target Group: I initially decided to focus on tracking only one reading group for my COL inquiry. There are eight students in this group who are all reading at 9 years old. However, after some discussion with our Acting Principal Toni Nua regarding the recent Reading PAT and STAR test results, I will now focus on two of my reading groups. The second group are reading between 8 and 8.5 years old. In total, there will be 16 students in my target group for my inquiry. This will allow for a larger sample size for my inquiry and hopefully better data collection.
RPI influence: I just want to mention that I participated in the RPI (Reading Practice Intensive) workshops last year. I have made use of my experience with RPI in that I am more aware of how 'getting to know your learners' is important. I have conducted a survey with my students to gain information around reading and student interests. I have implemented follow up tasks that are similar to the examples shared in the RPI workshops. My planning also mirrors the examples shared via RPI. I feel as though I have hit the ground running due to my RPI experience in terms of planning for literacy and when thinking about incorporating the 'Manaiakalani Reading Pillars of Practice'.
PAT and STAR results:
Some Key findings:
* The results from the 8-8.5 readers were quite similar to the 9 year readers.
* PAT Reading range: Stanine 1 - 4
* STAR range: Stanine 1 - 3
* Word Recognition in the STAR test was a strength compared to the other sections.
* Student weakness in STAR was: Vocab, Advertising language and Writing Style.
