The Houston A+ Challenge established the two-year Teacher as Researcher Grant to enable educators to deepen their work, conduct research inquiries about their practice, and make their work public. In 2004, 58 Critical Friends Group (CFG) members from four school districts (Houston, Aldine, Alief, and Spring Branch) will be directly involved in the action research projects supported by the grant. Faculty and staff from five local colleges and universities (Rice University, University of Houston, Houston Community College, Prairie View, and University of Saint Thomas) have committed their time and talents to support these inquiry projects. Additionally, some inquiry groups have included business partners and parents as active participants in the research in an effort to reduce school isolation.
The seven inquiry projects will address a comprehensive range of student needs. The awardees come from elementary, middle and high schools, and tackle questions dealing with literacy, math and fine arts. Many recipients are pursuing answers for how to teach some of our area's neediest students: impoverished readers, English as a Second Language learners, and Special Education students struggling with mandated standardized tests.
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