Action Research Plan: Computer Course for Spanish-speaking Parents

Stage 1: Analyze
the Problem

What is the current state?

Stage 2: Select
an Effective
Solution

Our student demographics show a

majority Hispanic population, but our
parent participation for Hispanic
parents is extremely low.
The end of the year school survey for
the 2014-2015 school year showed
that Hispanic parents have had
negative experiences when attending
events on campus, are afraid of
school personnel, and/or do not have
time to participate in school events.
Our campus is moving towards
computer-based instruction, and
100% paperless initiative. Our goal is
for the majority of communication and
education to occur through the HISD
learning management system known
as The Hub.

What is the desired state?

To increase Hispanic parent participation on

campus.
To start building positive relationship with the
Hispanic parents.
To provide parents with the necessary tools
and educate them on computer literacy

What is the solution?

Offer computer courses in Spanish through the Superate y Triunfa organization on campus
A minimum of 10 parents are needed, and no more than 15 per classroom
Consists of 13 classes and parents who complete the course successfully will be provided
with a completion certificate

Stage 3: Apply
the Solution

What steps should be taken

Send out an initial survey, Interest

Survey Computer Classes to all
parents
Place flyers and posters throughout
campus and community
Send out flyers to homes
Using the initial survey, create a Call
Log and start calling parents who are
interested
Finalize course participant list and
dates
Call Superate y Triunfa
representative that course
participants and facilities are ready
Provide the necessary tools and
facilities for the 13 courses
After each course, call parents with a
survey, Evaluation of Services
asking them to rate their experience,
the school, etc.
At the end of the course, have a small
graduation celebration
Have parents complete Final
Evaluation survey on program
Have new course catalog available
with information on parent
organizations with sign-up sheets

What is the expected time frame?

November 2015 March 2016

Have parent organization sign-up sheets ready
for each course date for parents to sign up
Have a newsletters for upcoming school
events ready for parents to view and take
home after courses
Please see attached calendar for more
information

Stage 4:
Evaluate the
Outcomes

How will you know if the solution

worked?
Parents will demonstrate to be
more at ease on campus
Parents will start to bring others
with them and will provide good
ratings to others of the community
Parents will begin to look for more
opportunities to be involved on
campus

What evidence will you be looking for to

ensure the situation was solved?
The Evaluation of Services survey given
after each course will provide positive
ratings
Parents will complete all of the course and
participate in the graduation celebration
Parents will sign-up for new courses and
parent organizations

Stage 5: Ending
and Refining

What happens if the solution

worked?
Word will spread on the success of
the program throughout the
community
Participation numbers will increase
A starting point for good
relationships with the Hispanic
parents and community will be
established
Use the course as a jumping point
to start new courses of interest to
parents
Open the course idea to the whole
school community, with courses of
interest to each population
Invite parents to become more

If the solution did not work, what will

happen next?
Call parents to see what could have been
done differently to make the initiative
more successful
Start collecting more information in the
community of what they are interested in
Start a new initiative based on data
collected

active on campus, in organizations

such as the PTSO and VIPS