Proposal

__Initial Proposal__


 * Topic Question:** How do researchers or state officials determine a successful public school?

1. Identify the argument of my topic's thesis. The Pennsylvania Department of Education relies too heavily on standardized tests to organize public school funding.

2. Why do I want to research this topic for my Project? As a public school student, I see how heavily the state relies on the school's test scores for funding. At a school which has failed AYP the past couple years, how does AYP connect with PSSAs etc.?

3. Why do I want to do this Project? After researching the PSSA and state public school funding, I will create a proposal to submit to state officials which outlines better organized funding.

4. Who should be involved in negotiating the problem/issue? State officials, school administrators, students.

5. What action should be taken to resolve this problem/issue? A more organized system which considers other factors to determine high school funding.

6. Why does this topic have a significant impact on society? The success of high schools greatly influences the students who attend those schools, and funding determines much of the education process. If schools fail, students will participate in less extra-curricular activities as funding is cut.

7. To which larger class(-es) of issues or events does my topic belong? or How does the topic I explore have a domino effect into other issues/areas/subjects? Purpose of standardized tests, differences between public and private high schools. Topic domino effect: students --> work force --> failure of America.

8. How am I tentatively planning my Project? [Indicate six general goals and how I can achieve them.] Locate various sources regarding Pennsylvania Department of Education. Research different opinions on usefulness of standardized tests. Contact various experts/authors about their views on standardized test and success of high schools. Yield results in research by narrowing topic into a clear area, why does funding matter? Use scholarly resources to compare/contrast public schools with private schools. Use PA Dept of Education site to recognize the exact use and implementation of standardized tests.

9. How am I tentatively planning to complete my research for my paper? [Indicate four general goals and how I can achieve them.] Complete preliminary research on standardized tests, school funding etc. Take notes on preliminary research. Use important points from preliminary research to "dive" into other similar topics. Complete goals from question 8.

10. Identify the subtopic areas of research (nouns verbs and adjectives from mind map) needed to be addressed for the Project and research. Researchers State Officials Public Schools Successful Determine

11. Which are four sources which can serve as my topic overview sources? What three sources can serve as my research keystone? Overview Sources:

Keystone Sources:

12. What do I anticipate this Project involving, in terms of work, time and resources? or How is this Project a personal stretch for me? This protect will involve approx. 30-45 min of research per night for the next few weeks, followed by intense outlining etc to formulate a rough draft.

13 .What issues/challenges can I foresee? Narrowing the topic area into something very narrow. Buckling down with research to push out a first draft.

14. How can I consider negotiating the identified problems? Using brain storm chart to narrow exactly what I want to research. Perform research nightly to organize information.