Compiling a Mini-Project Proposal

Mini-Project Proposal Student’s Name Institution Course Code: Course Name Professor’s Name August 4, 2024 Mini-Project Proposal Standardized test scores are crucial in present-day education classrooms and school management. They assess the student's performance in the core subjects, including Science, English, Social Studies, and Mathematics, compared to other students at the same grade level and age level. Through analysis of the 2-years archival data, this research looks at the primary factors contributing to the decline in standardized test scores for students in grades 7-12 in the urban school district. Problem Statement and Problem Background The purpose is to investigate the decline in standardized test scores among grade students in the urban school district over the past two years. Since academic opportunity and financial resources influence academic performance (Hung et al., 2020), the study aims to investigate how resource allocation will influence test score trends. For instance, communities with high resources can create barriers for minority students and may impact their performance in standardized test scores. The scenario analysis will provide valuable insights into areas where resource allocation and reallocation will boost the student's performance in the urban school district. In addition, the research will examine how policy changes affect standardized test scores in the school. In the United States, targeted policies have been enacted to address inequality in educational opportunities (Hung et al., 2020). The findings from the analysis of the scenario archival data will influence policymakers' adjustments for educational quality and equality in the urban school district. Similarly, structural inequalities, socioeconomic status, race, and gender may influence students' performance in standardized test scores (Hung et al., 2020). Therefore, the quantitative research aims to identify the implications of these socioeconomic challenges. The results from the investigation will guide the development of targeted interventions to address each student's needs. These focused interventions promote equality in the education system and favorable performance in test scores. Purpose Statement This quantitative study aims to investigate the positive association between the decline in standardized test scores and external factors among grades 7-12 students in the urban school district. Research Question The study will inspect the standardized test scores archival data of students in grades 7-12 in the urban school district to scrutinize the factors aiding the declining test scores. The research question inspires the researcher to find the main factors influencing the performance in the standardized test scores and grasp how school resources, teaching methods and interventions, socioeconomic status, and educational policy correlate. This research seeks to provide valuable insights by answering the research question below. 1 What are the main factors causing the decline of standardized test scores in core subjects for grades 7-12 students in the urban school district? Theoretical Framework Ecological systems theory was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979, which posits that social interactions and the surrounding environment influence different processes (Tanhan & Strack, 2020). The theory emphasizes the impact of the environment in shaping outcomes in different contexts. Similarly, external factors impact the student's performance in standardized tests. The interaction between different factors actively impacts the students' performance. The theory of academic performance posits that factors impact performance levels, including identity, personal factors, fixed factors, knowledge, and skills (Camacho-Morles et al., 2021). External factors influence the student's academic accomplishment in the urban district school. Therefore, the theoretical framework will provide an understanding of the impact of external factors in leading to a decline in the standardized test scores among students in the urban school district. Research Design and Methodology Design Justification The quantitative mini-project will use a correlation research design to examine the relationship between reduced standardized scores and external factors using two-year archival data. Correlation research design examines the relationship patterns of the variables in research. It reflects the strength of the relationship between the variables (Janse et al., 2021). Thus, the research design indicates whether there is a positive or negative relationship. Correlation research design is appropriate to the problem since it investigates whether external factors lead to a decline in standardized test scores. In line with the research questions and purpose, the correlation research design provides findings on the main factors causing a decline in performance. Correlation research design is a statistical measurement that evaluates the relationship between variables. It determines the association in a linear relationship by describing the degree to which the variables are related. Research argues that the research aids in explaining more about human behavior (Mekonnen, 2020). It clarifies the degree of association between the variables in the research. Correlation design provides an opportunity to predict future outcomes. For instance, one understands that external factors lead to declining standardized test scores. The design requires the variables to represent different samples and have a linear relationship in the research (Janse et al., 2021). The variables must follow a normal distribution to ensure the research determines a correlation. Independent and Dependent Variables The independent variable will be external factors such as teaching methods, while the dependent variable will be a decline in standardized test scores. In line with the research questions, the external factors will be analyzed, including the teaching methods, current policies, school resources, and socioeconomic status influencing the decline i...