Revised Action Research Plan

1. Form new committee for behavior initiative (SWDP)	Eric, Deana	June 2010	One member from each grade level	One grade level representative from each grade level and specials area are signed up to participate, as well as one administrator
2. Committee meets to discuss campus needs, and begins new behavior plan. Discusses positive behavioral research.	SWDP, Eric	June 2010	Punished By Rewards by Alfie Kohn Habits of Mind by Costa & Kallick	Committee’s meeting goals accomplished, first drafts of plan completed
3. Committee meets to finalize behavior plan, and prepare to put into action, and designates member to collect data throughout the year	SWDP, Eric	July 2010	Behavior plan and folder prototypes Behavioral research (Kohn)	Committee’s meeting goals accomplished, plan complete.
4. Plan is approved by SBDM Team and team leaders	SBDM Team, Team Leaders, Eric	July 2010	Completed behavior plan	Data examined and approval by all parties
5. Plan is emailed out to campus for feedback	Eric	July 2010	None	Feedback received from campus personnel; utilized in coming meetings
6. Preparations are made to use new plan on first day of school	Eric, Deana, Brenda	August 2010	Folders, printed plans, creed posters, morning meeting routine book	Preparations will be completed for the installation of new behavior plan. All staff members feel prepared and competent with new strategies.
7. Plan is presented at staff in-service days before students come back to school.	Eric, Deana	August 18th, 2010	All folders, plans, and documents	Preparations complete. Staff evaluates and critically analyzes plan, and is prepared to place into effect on first day of shcool
8. New behavior plan starts on the first day of school. Observations begin. Teacher self-reflections begin.	Eric, Deana, Wilson Staff	August 23rd, 2010	Folders to each student, staff logs Reflection logs to each teacher	Reflection, Formal evaluation of behavior plan, staff feedback
9. Data is collected on effectiveness of new behavior plan from all staff members	Eric, Wilson Staff	by September 3rd, 2010	Data and Reflection forms	Staff feedback formally collected from each staff member. Data collected on student achievement.
10. Committee meets to alter (if needed) and discuss effectiveness of plan. Reflections taken on steps towards improvement.	Eric, Deana, SWDP Committee	September 8th, 2010	Data Collections, Reflection and feedback forms	Reflection time and cyclical action research process leading to more action.

Action Research Plan

GOAL: To develop a universal behavior initiative via committee that will be employed on the campus in the coming year. The plan will be approved by the SBDM committee and the team leaders, and will reflect the cyclical nature of action research by taking action and offering time for changes and reflection, which will lead to the next action. The plan should also positively affect student achievement by making an impression on campus climate. Action Step(s) Person(s) Timeline Needed Evaluation Responsible Resources 1. Form new committee for behavior initiative (SWDP) Eric, Deana June 2010 One member from each grade level One grade level representative from each grade level and specials area are signed up to participate, as well as one administrator 2. Committee meets to discuss campus needs, and begins new behavior plan. Discusses positive behavioral research. SWDP, Eric June 2010 Punished By Rewards by Alfie Kohn Committee’s meeting goals accomplished, first drafts of plan completed 3. Committee meets to finalize behavior plan, and prepare to put into action, and designates member to collect data throughout the year SWDP, Eric July 2010 Behavior plan and folder prototypes Behavioral research (Kohn) Committee’s meeting goals accomplished, plan complete. 4. Plan is approved by SBDM Team and team leaders SBDM Team, Team Leaders, Eric July 2010 Completed behavior plan Data examined and approval by all parties 5. Plan is emailed out to campus for feedback Eric July 2010 None Feedback received from campus personnel; utilized in coming meetings 6. Preparations are made to use new plan on first day of school Eric, Deana, Brenda August 2010 Folders, printed plans, creed posters, morning meeting routine book Preparations will be completed for the installation of new behavior plan. All staff members feel prepared and competent with new strategies. 7. New behavior plan starts on the first day of school. Observations begin. Eric, Deana, Wilson Staff August 23rd, 2010 Folders to each student, staff logs Reflection, Formal evaluation of behavior plan, staff feedback 8. Data is collected on effectiveness of new behavior plan from all staff members Eric, Wilson Staff by September 3rd, 2010 Data and Reflection forms Staff feedback formally collected from each staff member. Data collected on student achievement. 9. Committee meets to alter (if needed) and discuss effectiveness of plan. Reflections taken on steps towards improvement. Eric, Deana, SWDP Committee September 8th, 2010 Data Collections, Reflection and feedback forms Reflection time and cyclical action research process leading to more action.

Action Research Topic Choice

In our assignment for the current week, we are asked to discuss the selection of our action research study. I found conversations with my principal to be very enlightening, and the actual selection of my topic to be more difficult than I had assumed. Below is the section from my assignment in which I formulate my plan of action for research.

Three Topics of Interest for Action Research

In previous discussions with my principal over my internship plan and the principal competencies, we spoke of many different areas in which an action research study would be very valuable. The following are three different topics in which the research would be of most value to our specific campus:

1. What is the most effective way of reaching 3^rd grade bilingual math students and improving scores on benchmarks and standardized testing, which would, in turn, boost the overall campus rating to an Exemplary status rather than Recognized.
2. How will a universal behavior initiative improve the discipline and climate on campus, and will it bring inherent positive behavior and motivation to all students and stakeholders? How will it improve student achievement?
3. What is the greatest way to improve campus climate and culture, and what specific methods can be used to bring all stakeholders together to promote school-community relations?

Conference with Supervisor

Conferencing with my supervisor is always a privilege. I am always amazed to see the depth and effectiveness that she exudes. If I have learned one thing about educational leadership from her, it is that the job never rests, and even one seemingly trivial detail can bring great change to a campus. In this particular conference, my supervisor and I decided to go with #2 from above. We discussed the first option in detail. This is one of the biggest goals for the upcoming year - raising math scores in the 3^rd grade bilingual subgroup. Unfortunately, all of the data I would collect from testing and benchmarks would be second-hand as I am the music director for our campus. The third grade teachers will be extra focused on this point this year, so it will be passed to them. The final option, #3, is a great opportunity for me to get leadership experience in dealing with parents, community members, and stakeholders. It would allow me to present new ideas to many people. That being said, option #2 is much more pressing for our campus. I can be involved in both areas of study, but will focus my action research project on the most important issues.

Action Research Decision with Supervisor

With an ever-changing population, and teachers/grade levels that all seem independent from each other on the “ways” of the school, we decided looking into a universal behavior and expectations initiative would be one of the best ways to serve the students at our school. The direct influence of this plan will improve campus climate, and have an undeviating effect on student achievement and motivation. I am excited to execute and direct this research.

Action Research Study Purpose & Significance

The purpose of my action research study is to investigate the effect of a personalized, universal behavior initiative specifically geared towards a campus with an ever-changing population. (In question form: How will a universal behavior initiative improve the discipline on campus, and will it bring inherant positive behavior and motivation to all students and stakeholders?) The benefit of doing an action research project is that it can be especially tailored to fit the campus in which it is employed. Our campus will use this behavior initiative as a means for better serving the whole child. I forsee groups using this action research study in PLCs, and other areas of research.

Also, along with the benefits of researching new means of discipline & behavior reformation, we will use this action research project to develop collaboration and communication between the staff on campus. This research will require a constant state of feedback and reflection, which will in turn lead to furthur action. The cyclical nature of action research will lend itself to this study very well.

Finally, this project will directly improve the educational setting and climate of our school. All things learned from this study will be used to further alter the current status quo, and stakeholders will be able to see a direct correlation between the significance of this study and student achievement.

Administrative Inquiry Use

Educators are able to use practitioner inquiry in numerous different modes. Because of the naturally limited effect of process-product research and qualitatitve or interpretive work, action research is able to open up the educational leader's research process to a variety of specific and personalized topics that will directly correlate with the needs on their campus.

Action Research

Welcome to my blog! In an attempt to push myself forward, I often choose to challenge myself with projects that keep me on the go. My current project is earning a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. I will be utilizing this blog as a means for reflection and reporting as I complete my Research coursework.

In beginning studies on what inquiry (or action research) accomplishes, I was surprised to find out I didn’t really know what great benefits it could have for a teacher/principal. Action research is a way for principals to take the reins on topics that are both specific and valid for their particular campus. Unlike other types of research that can be vague and outdated, action research allows principals to be the controller; the product is “home-grown” and allows the researcher to direct the final product.

More often than not, research is done in settings away from the schools by individuals who do not have much, if any, experience in the classroom/administrative positions. Action research allows principals and teachers to take a hands-on approach to developing their own plan, and directing the research to be exactly tailored to their campus needs.

A final benefit of action research would be the cyclical nature. Because it is done on the campus in which its results are needed, the product of action research revolves around the action, and the reflection. Once the results of the action needed have taken place, a reflection will guide the campus into the next step. This may be further action, or possibly a completely new approach, which will then lead to reflection again.