My Action Research Plan

I've been having a lot of trouble getting this to post, but this should do the trick. I've uploaded the plan into Googledocs. You can view it from this link: My Action Research Plan

Action Research--Week 2!

This week in our action research course, we listened to veterans of action research describe some of the "dos and don'ts" of conducting research in a school setting. I found their comments and thoughts to be very insightful and helpful. As I'm headed into a new school year, teaching a TAKS tested subject for the first time, I noticed a focus on data and the value of using data to drive instruction. All of the experienced administrators talked about teaching teachers to use data to make real-time adjustments. Most of the people who have been in education for a number of years are just learning how to do this for the first time because it wasn't such a focus in education classes twenty years ago. I appreciated the reminder that we need to be data driven in our instructional choices.

My biggest takeaway from this week's work is that when we research, we are working with real people. Although we might look at an AEIS report and see numbers, what we're really looking at are children and teachers. This is not to say that we should stop doing research because we're experimenting on children. Rather, this means that we need to take care if and when we share our findings. We have to make sure that we are treating everyone in the equation with dignity--researchers, administrators, teachers parents and students. Our kids are not a means to an end for us as researchers. They are the end.

Blogging Principals

I think more principals, and educators in general, should take time to blog. There are so many great ideas out there and this is the perfect forum for them. Living so far away from other high-performing charter systems means that I often forget that we're the only ones out there trying to work in this type of system. Getting online and reading the reflections of other educators in similar situations relieves some of my feelings of isolation.

Given that NCLB is a national law, many principals face the same challenges in trying to maintain high test scores and meet their AYP. If principals could share their ideas and information more effectively, a culture of shared genius would develop in education. Principals could swap best practices and suggestions as well as network to find the best teachers available.

Action Research

This week in my new graduate school class, we are discussing the concept of action research and how principals can use it to increase their effectiveness. Basically, the main tenant of action research is that the principal is the lead researcher, rather than an outsider from a university or research firm. It’s used primarily in small groups (like Professional Learning Communities or Leadership Teams) and college classes. Given the steps required in action research, it makes more sense for a principal to use the strategy in “real time” rather than simply for an education program. The results of the study either are or lead to actionable steps that the school can take to improve student achievement. Rather than be asked to take part in a study, action research is run by the principal so everyone takes part. There are fewer complicated steps to follow when you’re researching your own school rather than coming in from the outside. Student achievement data and information from confidential sources (like IEPs or 504 documentation) is all accessible because the researcher is working at his or her own school.
After learning about action research, I really like the concept. I love the idea of choosing a hot spot at my campus and then problem solving around it. I also appreciate the idea of being data driven and focusing on the needs of my students throughout the entire project. The last thing I like about it is that it’s all run by the principal. The fact that the principal owns the process will keep investment higher, both for the researcher and any colleagues that are included in the process.