Action Research Plan

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT
Prepare and approve all aspects of Action Research Project	Discussion Action Research Plan with Campus supervisor	Meeting times and notes	Self and Supervisor	On-going	Notes from meetings
Use research to increase understanding and effectiveness of Action Research Plan	Research various types of schedules and their effectiveness	Websites, books, and journals	Self	On-going	Research Findings
Determine teachers overall satisfaction with  the current schedule	Survey teachers at Staff Meeting	Survey	Self	Next Faculty Meeting	Survey Results
Determine students overall satisfaction with the current schedule	Survey students in their History Classes	Survey	History department	November	Survey Results
Determine if any correlation exists between our new schedule and benchmark scores	Evaluate Benchmark Exams	Score reports from this year and last year	Self	October January March May	Score report correlations with schedule change
Use teacher comments to determine any effects of our new schedule on instruction and student achievement, and also their thoughts on moving to a traditional schedule	Have departments discuss positive or negative influences our schedule has had then interview department heads	Interview questions	Self and Teachers	January and May	Teacher comments
Compare test scores vertically and horizontally and look for any changes.	Evaluate Taks Data	TAKS Scores	Self and Departments	May	Test Results
Share results with the school district to help with the decision on scheduling	Share results with campus supervisor, faculty, assistant superintendent and school board	Action Research Plan Results	School District	June	Results

Action Research Week 2

This week my eyes have been opened to many more ideas for action research projects. I enjoyed reading about the nine major areas for wonderings in action research. This helped me decide and refine my ideas for my action research project. This week I really appreciated the support and input from my campus supervisor.

Educational Leaders and Blogs

This is the first Blog that I have ever created, I did not realize that it was this easy. I am excited because I can think of so many ways to use a blog. In my classroom I could keep parents informed and involved with what we are learning in class. In volleyball I could post weekly updates to give parents and athletes feedback. As an administrator or Curriculum chairperson I think it would be a beneficial way for colleagues to interact and share ideas on curriculum and teaching as well as other topics that are under consideration on campus.

Action Research

Through this course I have started to understand the concept of action research. Action research involves stepping back and taking a hard look at some practice used and decisions made. After evaluating these practices and decisions an action is formulated in order to bring about change and then implemented. Action research is cyclical, so once the change is implemented a practitioner can re-evaluate and institute change as needed.

A major component of action research is reflection. This is simply taking the time to review a previous action. With all of the demands on an administrator it is very difficult to set aside time to actively reflect on actions and decisions. In order to practice action research it is critical and beneficial to find time to do so. It is beneficial because it allows principals to become less isolated, to become role models, and to grow professionally. (11-13) Action research is the key to bringing about positive and relevant change in today’s school system. It uses inside players with hands on experience and looks at specific problems that need to be addressed.  This allows for tailor-made solutions to specific problems that plague modern schools.

Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009).

Researcher. Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as actionThousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.