Interview Protocol for Ann /
Lead-off Question
During my observation I noticed that you seemed to feel that some ofthe teachers did not fully understand
lesson study. Can you describe your opinion of teachers in relation to lesson study?
Covert Categories
Ann’s impression of the teachers;
Her strategy for handling the teachers;
Possible Follow-up Questions
You say many of the teachers have been way off base in terms of where they need to be. Can you please tell
me more about that?
What do you think the focus of the teachers in regards to lesson study should be?
Cam mentioned that the teachers were not buying in to lesson study. What are your thoughts on that
statement?
Lead-off Question
During my observation, you stated that teachers were putting too many activities into lessons. Can you
please explain that statement please?
Covert Categories
Ann’s current impression of the lesson study process;
Ann’s current impression of the grant teacher’s understanding of lesson study;
Possible Follow-up Questions
What are your impressions of the current lesson study process?
What needs to happen to make lesson study more productive?
How can you help the teachers to further understand and grasp lesson study?
What are your goals for lesson study?
Interview Protocol
Research question: How do you mesuare the success of the WITS program?
Topic Domain 1: Procedures for hiring WITS writers
[Lead-off Question]
How do you decide which writers to hire? Can you describe the process?
[Covert Categories]
backgrounds of applicants
classroom and publishing experience
ratio of male vs. female
educational level
pull from where
[Follow-up Questions]
‘What are you looking for when you hire?
How important is previous teaching experience to you?
Can you tell right away whether or not someone is right for the organization? How and why?
Topic Domain 2: Scheduling assignments
[Lead-off Question]
‘What things do you consider when placing WITS writers in various classrooms?
[Covert Categories]
personality of writer and teacher (match)
grade/school
experience
working with strength/weaknesses
school population needs
administrative needs/requests
[Follow-up Questions]
How do you handle conflict/disputes between the writers/teachers/administration?
What do you do if the match between writer and classroom teacher is not compatible?
Has that ever happened?
What are the biggest issues that arise from placing writers in classrooms?
Topic Domain 3: Establishing the WITS community
(f:ad-off Question]
1 know that when Myma Hecht was here, she talked a lot about establishing community in our classrooms,
and I think WITS does a good job of establishing a writing community for its WITS writers. Can you explain
how you do that—establish a community of writing teachers?
[Covert Categories]
workshops
field coordinators
social events
blog
tried and true lessons
[Follow-up Questions]
How do you support new writers? What things do you do?
How do you address WITS writer’s strengths/weaknesses or areas of growth?
‘What do you do to promote relationships between the field coordinator and the writer?
What type of support do you offer the writers?
What is it about the Tried and True lessons that make them successful? Why do they work?
Topic Domain 4: Success of program (teacher-writer relationship)
[Lead-off Question]
What do you think the WITS writers get out of the program?
‘What about the classroom teachers?
What about the students?
[Covert Categories]
relationships: most important thing for success
success of program
return rate
school support from principals, teachers, students
objective/subjective measures of success
parental involvement
[Follow-up Questions]
How would you define a successful WITS year?
What do you hope the kids will get out of the program?
Why do you think the program is successful?
How do you know the program influences TAKS scores?
What feedback do you receive from the parents about the positive effect of the program?
‘What about feedback from the school administrations?
CUIN 8377
3
Interview Protocol
The following Interview Protocol would be used in interviewing all three AGENTS students independently of
each other, but has been specifically written with Nicole in mind as the first student to be interviewed. Nicole,
Shaniya, and Erica have participated in the AGENTS club since fourth grade and are currently fifth graders. After
analysis and coding of the observations, two areas of interest emerged in line with the original research question
and sub-topics posed before the initial observations. First, I am interested in exploring if and how participation in
the AGENTS after-school service club has affected their view of the roles that they play within various social
environments. Secondly, I would like to leam more about if and how their involvement in AGENTS has had any
sortof effect on how they can participate within their community (be it school, home, etc.). Both of these areas
are closely tied to the daily attitudes and actions of all three girls, and are appropriate to explore with any one of
them in an interview setting.
Topic Domain 1: View of Social Roles
Lead-off Question
“You wrote down S and E as leaders on your Leadership Questionnaire. Can you tell me why you chose
to write down their names?”
[Covert Categories: N’s perceptions of S and E; her choice of characteristics used to justify the choice of
leaders; her belief of what a good leader is; whether or not she consciously tries to choose friends who
make positive choices; her views on observing and categorizing various human behaviors]
Possible Follow-up Questions:
1. You wrote down several names of people who you think are leaders that you did not mention to
S and E. Can you tell me more about why you wrote down additional names?
2. E mentioned Alicia Keys. Would you consider her a leader as well? In what way is (isn’t) she a
leader?
3. Yousaid these people were leaders because they “are helpful, nice, don’t bully, follow the rules,
and are respectful.” Is there any other information about any of your leader choices that led you
to choose them as a leader as well?
4. Are there any types of people you feel are not leaders? Why would you not consider them a
leader?
5. Yousaid a leader is (insert each of the 6 qualities listed in #3 as its own individual
question). Do you still agree with your initial ideas or would you change this part of your
answer?
6. Have you discussed the topic of leaders or leadership characteristics with S and E since that
AGENTS meeting? Can you share why (why not)?
Topic Domain 2: Involvement/Participation within Community
Lead-off Question
“Remember when you read the three different books about various leaders (Cesar Chavez, the
Greensboro sit-in activists, and children from other parts of the country)? What did you think about
what these people did in their lives?”
[Covert Categories: Did any of these people’s examples help define your definition of a leader? Do you
think these people’s feelings and actions were valid? Do you have any connections to your own
life/school/community? Did you have any objections to any character choices or values? What is your
relationship with the school/community like? Do you have any predictions for the future development
of your school/community? What is your own role within your school/community? What are your
views on participating within your school/community? How conscious are you of the various social
structures within your school/community?] -
Possible Follow-up Questions:
1. Yousaid “the teacher wasn’t fair,” “it wasn’t right,” and that the teacher “should make him
understand, or teach him, or help him” for the Cesar Chavez book. Do you remember why you
felt that way?
2. How do you think your teachers feel about you?
3. You said that the people in the books took action by talking with others, making signs, or giving
speeches. Can you tell me more about these actions?
4. What are some other actions that could have been taken?
5. How do you think you might react if something similar happened to you? Can you tell me about
what you would do?
6. Would you take similar actions that the people in the book did?
7. How do you think your school/community would respond?