Mr. Arregui
Emerson Middle School

Mathematics

Middle School students as high school students are underachieving in great numbers, not to mention the high dropout rate at high school level. Students, especially in core subject areas such as Math, are underachieving. A great percent of students do poorly in the Grade 8 Math New York State test. So, it is imperative to do a research for why this happens, what can be done to improove those poor grades. In this webquest, we will investigate the causes of this problem and assess its consequences. Moreover we will analyze existing policies and create or improve better policies to solve this problem.

You will be part of a school board calling for better policies to improve and eliminate poor grades. Your group will conduct research so that you can present your findings.

Your research will focus on the following areas: evidences, causes of poor grades, analysis of existing policies and the creation of a feasible and effective policy to improve poor grades.

o You will work in groups of up to 3 people.

o You will work cooperatively.

o Your group will gather evidence for the problem by conducting a survey within the school building.

o You and your group will be required to present to the class your findings. You need to follow the six-step public policy analyst model as part of your report. You need to post your report at http://www.nyteach.net/moodle. Power point or other presentation software is recommended to be used as part of your presentation.
SIX-STEPS PUBLIC POCICY ANALYST worksheets.

1. Identify and define the problem of poor grades in middle schools and complete worksheet.

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet1.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/hojadetrabajo1.doc

2. Gather evidence and complete worksheet:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet2.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/hojadetrabajo2.doc

Survey, report cards and computer printouts are recommended to collect data.

3. Identify the causes. http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet3.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/hojadetrabajo3.doc

4. Describe and evaluate existing policies using worksheet:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet4.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/hojadetrabajo4.doc

1. Develop solutions/policies to correct the problem using worksheet:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/solutions.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/hojadetrabajo5.doc

2. Select the best policy for correcting the problem:

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS/worksheet6.html
http://www.maxwell.sysr.edu/plegal/TIPS/hojadetrabajo6.doc

Tips-PPA http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/ppa/intro.html

Resources & Tutorial http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/tutorials.html

Take online surveys & other resources. http://www.nyteach.net/moodle

The evaluation will consist of one group presentation and a written report posted at http://www.nycteach.net/moodle. Two rubrics will be used as part of the evaluation.

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1	Score
Data and evidence	The problem has been researched and PPA worksheets were completed	The problem has been researched and some PPA worksheets were completed.	The problem has been researched partially and some PPA worksheets were completed.	The data and evidence gathering was not completed
Causes and Existing policy	Causes and existing policy were identified and properly written	Causes were identified and existing policy was not properly written	Causes were not identified completely and existing policy was identified	This part was not completed
Policy effective and feasible	Policy is effective and feasible and well written	Policy is effective but not totally feasible	Policy is somewhat feasible and somewhat effective	Policy is not feasible
Report, worksheets	Report was fully completed and is very appealing	Report is completed	Report is not fully completed	Report is not completed and not appealing

CATEGORY	CATEGORY	3	2	1	Score
Content	Content	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Stays on Topic	Stays on Topic	Stays on topic most (99-90%) of the time.	Stays on topic some (89%-75%) of the time.	It was hard to tell what the topic was.
Preparedness	Preparedness	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Comprehension	Comprehension	Student is able to accurately answer most questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is able to accurately answer a few questions posed by classmates about the topic.	Student is unable to accurately answer questions posed by classmates about the topic.

* Rubric was adapted from the webquest: White collar-crime in America

Based upon the research related to poor grades, students will utilize the Teaching Interdisciplinary Problem Solving model and the Six-Step Public Policy Analyst model to analyze causes for the problem of underachieving and be able to come up with a policy that might help prevent or minimize the number of students who get poor grades. In addition, students will have met the following:

Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science and Technology
Standard II: Students will access, generate, process and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Native Language Arts

Standard I: Students will read, write, listen and speak for information and understanding.

Mathematics

Standard I: Number Concepts and Operations

Standard V: Problem Solving and Mathematical Reasoning

Standard VII: Math Communication

Standard VIII: Applying Mathematics