Editorial

FEEDBACK AND FEEDFORWARD TO IMPROVE PROVINCIAL TEST RESULTS

Cheryl Black and Jackie Delong

The articles in this issue are part of the study conducted for the Education Quality and Accountability Office, a study to date not released by EQAO in its entirety – An Action Research Approach to Improving Student Learning Using Provincial Test Results. They are evidence of the growing sophistication of the practitioner researchers and the support systems in the Grand Erie District School Board that enable them. An indication of the support for action research as a means to improve is evident in the Board Action Plan which states: "Principals and teachers should use strategies from Action Research projects and participate in their own projects to improve student learning."

The project, which was a partnership between Nipissing University, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, and the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB), was led by Ron Wideman, Jackie Delong, Kathy Hallett and Diane Morgan. In GEDSB, Diane Morgan, Educational Consultant, supported teachers and consultants to conduct research on their practice. Ruth Sutton came to the board to teach the group the corrective feedback strategy which replicates the action research process. It is important to note that in this process we have teachers using both qualitative and quantitative data to research and improve their practice.

In summary, we would like to thank the reviewers of this issue for their insightful and supportive responses to the work of the practitioners. "This study was a joy to read both in terms of the importance of the topic and the clarity of the action research process." Thanks.

The articles:

Diane Clark – An Action Research Project: Improving Student Learning Through Corrective Action - investigates ways of increasing the confidence of girls in math activities.

George Neeb - An Action Research Project on Improving Students’ Written Communication in Mathematics - explores ways of improving the capacity of students to communicate their understanding in mathematics through language-related strategies.

Liana Thompson – How To Improve Student Performance With a Focus on Math By Fostering Self- Esteem and Creating Awareness of Gender Issues - conducts research on the impact of gender-related attitudes and their effect on students’ confidence in math.

Janet Rubas – Supporting Teachers By Listening and Learning: A Consultant’s Action Research Project - examines how she might improve the structure of her workshops to ensure transfer of learning to teaching practice in classrooms.