Finding the Right Formula

Amanda Berry Action Research Plan EDUC 526 Capstone Professor Hixson Azusa Pacific University

Abstract My Action Research study was on creating a daily routine for two weeks to study for the English CSET subtest III and IV. I concentrated on finding the correct formula for writing for the CSET, rather than focusing on the subject matter because I felt confident in my knowledge of the subject, but not in knowing the formula the CSET requires. I focused on five different areas that I felt I needed more knowledge and practice in, which include the following: 1. Knowing how to brainstorm quickly based on questions and their types. 2. Understanding how to organize writing into logical order. 3. Using a methodic writing style that is tailored to the audience given in the question. 4. Avoiding common errors in usage. 5. Reviewing common essays and analyze answers that receive various scores against the scoring criteria.

Introduction I did my Action Research Plan on finding the right formula for passing the CSET because this test is something I have been trying to pass for almost a year now. There have been multiple occasions where I have told myself to give up and try for something else, but I know in my heart of hearts this is the path that I am suppose to travel. So, instead of giving up, I am continuing down the path to become a high school teacher. I realized last time I took the test that it wasnt the knowledge of the subject I was missing; it was the formula of writing for the CSET that I was missing. Implementation For the last two weeks, I have dedicated an hour (sometimes more) a day to finding different formulas for writing for the CSET and then practicing using those formulas. I focused on five different areas that I felt I needed more knowledge and practice in: 1. Knowing how to brainstorm quickly based on questions and their types. 2. Understanding how to organize writing into logical order. 3. Using a methodic writing style that is tailored to the audience given in the question. 4. Avoiding common errors in usage. 5. Reviewing common essays and analyze answers that receive various scores against the scoring criteria. I created two different sections in my Action Research Plan. The first part was my online journal in which consisted the subject for the day I was studying, the different websites I researched, and the information I found most useful to me on each website. The second part was a folder I created that had printed out worksheets, highlighted material from different websites and books, and the explanation and practice for constructed essay responses.

Results Before I began my research, I took a pretest online using the Teachers Test Prep website. I scored a 66% on the practice test I took the first day. The diagnostic results showed me exactly where I need improvement.

After two weeks of studying, I took another test and scored 84%. (I did not use the Teachers Test Prep website because they only allow you to take one test for free. My results for the final test are found in my folder.)

Conclusion I found this study to be constructive because it proved that knowing the formula for taking a test could improve the overall test score. I recommend studying and researching everyday for at least an hour a day before taking the CSET because it does require a great deal of expressing the subject knowledge, depth of understanding the criteria, and purpose for writing the responses. The most valuable result I walked away with after completing my Action Research Plan is the understanding of never giving up.