Week 5 Reflection

According to Leading with Passion and Knowledge  (Dana, 2009), “administrator inquiry refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry.”  Action Research is a way for administrators to actively be involved in developing the changes that may or may not need to take place at their campus.   

Overall, one of the most important things that I will take from this course is that action inquiry is an on-going, continuous process that needs to flexible.  There are always areas in school systems that have room for improvement.  Just in engaging in my inquiry that I have started on my campus, it has led me to several other questions or wonderings that I am looking forward to following up on.  Beginning my journey, my original research plan underwent many changes as I started to look further into my question.  It is important to be flexible and go with some of the changes.  “…Allow your wondering to change and evolve over time as you engage in inquiry. It is not unusual as practitioner-inquirers collect data, for them to gain insights into their initial wondering that leads them in a new direction midway through the inquiry.”  (Dana, pg. 68)

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn about the process of action research.  I hope if I get the privilege of leading a school, I will be a leader that involves my campus in different areas of action inquiry.  I would want my staff to see my enthusiasm for future learning and seeing the sustained improvements that is already in action.  To sum up, “it is important to keep in mind that meaningful administrator inquiry should not “depart from” the daily work of administrators but become “a part of” their daily practice.” (Dana, pg. 71)

Works Cited

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools. Larchmont, New York: Eye on Education.

Week 4 Reflections

After reading the sections from the texts, I have learned about the importance of  teacher/staff collaboration in any action research.  Teacher buy-in is important for any sustained change to take place in education.  When teachers feel they have had input, the buy0in is more valid and valuable. I plan on trying the Nominal Group Technique with my campus regarding growing concerns with TABOR Rotations and successes with them.  I also plan on having my fellow staff members help me come up with a CARE model, so that we can re-evaluate what we are doing RIGHT already!!  I think it is very important to affirm the positive and not always dwell on what needs to be changed. 

As far as my Research plan goes, I plan on implementing the original plan of action, but then extending it into next year so that we can continue to collect and analyze data of growing change and more teacher buy in. 

Next step - planning the student and teacher - friendly surveys to fill out to gather my qualitative data.

Action Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: Evaluate the effectiveness of Tabor Rotations on our Math scores, comparing data from beginning of our third term to end of our third term last year to this year.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Discuss possible Action Research areas with Site-Supervisor and Principal.	Site – Supervisor, Principal, Myself	January 23, 2012 – January 26, 2012	Campus Improvement Plan, Internship Plan	Action Research Topic Decided
2. Decide on grade levels to involve in Research.	Site-Supervisor, Myself	January 30, 2012 – February 1, 2012	AWARE data	Scores from Benchmarks and Third Term CBAs.
3. Gather data based on TEK from AWARE for grades 3-5 for 3rd term.	Myself, Instructional Facilitator	February 6, 2012 – February 15, 2012	AWARE data, Scope and Sequence from 2010-2011, 2011-2012	Compare TEKS tested on 3rd term CBA.
4. Administer 3rd Term CBA	Counselor, Classroom Teachers	March 5, 2012 – March 9, 2012	AWARE data	AWARE CBA reports by TEK
5. Administer Student Friendly Survey on New Math Framework	Classroom Teachers, Instructional Facilitator, Administration	March 5, 2012 – March 9, 2012	Survey	Completed Surveys
6. Administer Teacher Friendly Survey on New Math Framework	Classroom Teachers, Instructional Facilitator, Administration	March 5, 2012 – March 9, 2012	Survey	Completed Surveys
7. Compare data from 3rd term 2011 -  this year.	Myself, Instructional Facilitator	March 10, 2012 – March 19, 2012	AWARE data, CBAs	AWARE data by TEK from 2011 and 2012
8.  Share with Staff Results of Action Research	Myself, Administration	March 20, 2012	Computer	Exit Questions from Meeting

Week 2: Nothing to be Scared of!

After viewing the interviews of the different school personnel, I found it very interesting how real-world action research really is.  It is not something that should be scary or intimidating.  I found that in most cases, discussed in the interviews and the readings, the research topics are things that effective teachers ask themselves on a daily basis.  This put the term action research into something that already is done on an everyday basis.  It is done for the betterment of student and teacher success alike. Anytime you want to better any aspect of your campus, you naturally ask yourself what have we done before, what has and hasn't worked, and what have others done?  Action Research gives this planning a framework to follow. All three of the Administrators interviewed emphasized the importance of not "re-inventing the wheel" and looking into what others have already done. Action Research ultimately is for looking into how to improve what you are doing.  Not near as scary as I thought it would be!

How Educational Leaders Can Use Blogs

Blogging can be very useful to an educational leader.  It is an easy and effective way to keep your staff current and in-the-know with any action research that may be taking place.  By seeing the administrators show an interest in journaling and reflecting on their own thoughts, the staff in turn will see the importance and relevance it.  (Do as I do, as well as I say.)  Blogging can act as an easily-accessible online dairy for self-reflection.

Action Research

Action Research is a decision-making cycle that guides instructional planning for the school and individual classrooms.  Unlike traditional research that comes from people who are typically not in the everyday classroom, action research is conducted by real teachers and administrators.  It focuses on the concerns of the teacher for the learner. 

As a school teacher and leader, it is important to understand the action research process and how to make it an effective tool for improvement.  According to Examining What we do to Improve Our Schools (2010), there are eight major steps to the Action Research Process: setting the foundation, analyzing data, developing deeper understanding, self-reflection, exploring patterns, determining a direction, taking action, and sustaining improvement.  It is important to keep the foundation of your research in the forefront of all of the steps to make sure that your research is focused. 

I will be doing my action research on the progress made this year from our math benchmark to our 3^rd term content based assessment compared to last year.  Starting this semester, our campus is piloting a new math framework.  I will be assessing the data collected to report back to my administrators for them to use with the district to determine the new programs effectiveness.  I will also be using this opportunity to take note on the staff’s acceptance to this dramatic change.  I am looking forward to working with math teachers across different grade levels to collect my data and then share my findings with them. 

Harris, S., Edmondson, S., and Combs, J. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our Schools:8 Steps to improve Our Schools. Eye on Educaiton Press.