How I Plan to Use Action Research

I am interested in looking at the impact of small group instruction on students reading below grade level as the topic of my action research investigation. Every year we have many students that are reading below grade level on my campus and of course I have some of those students in my classroom. My district curriculum has teachers providing small group instruction in the classroom setting from the first 9 weeks of school. After Christmas break, our campus begins pull-out programs as well as an after school tutorial program to prepare students for the upcoming TAKS test. Both of these programs consist of groups that are no larger than 8 students so that their individual needs can be met. In one day, a struggling student could conceivably be pulled two times during the day and then be expected to stay after school as well. They are tired and often times not focused and it is a struggle to keep them motivated to attend and participate. I know that these struggling students need extra care, but I am wondering if we are hammering them with information that, at the end of the day, they are not retaining. Through my action study I am hoping to learn what a good scope and sequence would be for these struggling readers so that I can help them more effectively. Right now, I feel that my campus is providing these small group pull-out and tutorial programs a short time prior to the TAKS test and I can’t help but feel that this should be happening throughout the school year. I do want those struggling readers to pass the TAKS test, but most importantly, I want to ensure that these students become proficient readers.