I have selected two case study schools in which I am testing my action research plan. They will remain anonymous so as to adhere to confidentiality. These two schools are clients of our E-Rate consulting service and have expressed interest in increasing the participation of their students in the NSLP application process. We have tried several methods to increase this participation: motivational incentives for the students, providing more education on the importance of the program to parents during registration, using the sibling match method whereby the PEIMS administrator can match siblings in their database and if one of the siblings qualifies, than the other one automatically qualifies, and finally helping students overcome the stigma associated with participating in the program.
We have worked closely with the schools to address these topics and give them thorough guidance on how to overcome obstacles they encounter along the way. We have held webinar trainings for the staff/personnel involved in the schools who play a role in this initiative and who can positively impact the outcome. These members consist of the PEIMS coordinator/administrator, Food Service Manager, Principals, Technology Director, Business Manager, and Superintendent. Each of these key members is able to lend a hand in this process and perform often menial techniques that can have large impacts on the school and they have all collaborated in identifying those techniques they are currently implementing. The PEIMS submission for 2012-2013 to the Texas Education Agency is right around the corner on October 26th. With the event of a new school year and being able to enact these techniques and see the fruits of their labor soon will help determine the success of this initiative. I expect to see some prodigious results!
