Revised Action Research Plan-Parental Involvement on our High School Campus

I welcome your comments, suggestions, and constructive input to my action research project.

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1dKGOqklKXXv1sEtrtbqzheTsoJevyeewHiM5i-QuTxo

Action Research EDLD 5301 Research Week 3

 Action Research Plan for Increase Parental Involvement on our High School Campus.
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1dKGOqklKXXv1sEtrtbqzheTsoJevyeewHiM5i-QuTxo

Action Research SIP/PIP in English
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1Dfxz3vqOJ0DxHiWyb0Id9YaGe-JhdvnOOBW7VH2vOS0
 
Action Research SIP/PIP in Spanish
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1bENh8JHSStyQztSPjv_7hD4YI_J9uQT5bAHwMp8NeSA

EDLD 5301 Research Week 2 Learning

Celebrations of success, understanding and shaping the campus climate, and communication are all topics for school culture/community action research (Dana, 2009, p. 50-51). In this area, I have chosen to focus on increasing parental involvement in order to increase student learning for improvement on state assessments.


“Never stop learning,” was Dr. Timothy Chargois’, Director of Research, Planning and Development in Beaumont ISD, advice as he explained the importance of leading teachers to be “action research oriented.” He pointed out that teacher accountability to increase student performance means “accountability for all students.” As I reflected on the interview, I determined that adding the component of action research to our data disaggregation, curriculum alignment and lesson planning activities and training should help us integrate it as part of our school climate and culture.

Dr. Kirk Lewis, Superintendent, Pasadena ISD suggested “reading others’ work and translating to your campus…things that work for similar patterns, demographics…” His advice is to research “what is practical to you.” He describes three reasons research should be “active and practical.” The action researcher will be “more interested…, more focused on the outcome…, and the students will benefit from practical research…instead of theoretical.” Since this suggestion echoes my sentiments regarding action research, I reflected on ways research and data has been used on my campus over the last few years. I believe we do an excellent job of disaggregating data and knowing where our students are performing well and areas needing improvement; however, we have not been focused on “practical” research of proven strategies with consistent results.



Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

If communication and collaboration constitute an educational leader's purposes, blogging may be the method to efficiently accomplish both. I imagine the leader's blog as the futuristic "hallway chat" that characterizes many teachers' favorite means of communication. Blogging might be the way to use time and reflection to support action research.

Action Research EDLD 5301 Research Week 1 Part 3 Assignment

Action research has always been a part of my teaching career; even though I did not have a formal name for my search for more strategies to help my students learn. Now I recognize these times as “...systematic, intentional study of own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what is learned as result of inquiry,” (Dana, 2009, p. 2) in hopes that my students’ learning and lives would be improved. As I progress toward my goal of school leadership, I agree with what I have learned about inquiry being one “step to establishing a strong foundation for school improvement.” (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2009, p. 4). Along with collecting and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, questioning, and requesting more information, action research requires logical reasoning (metacognition) and reflection (Harris, Edmonson, & Combs, 2009, p. 4-5). Action research differs from traditional educational research on several points despite the practice dating back to Dewey in 1933. Using the differences listed, I feel the main distinction can be noted and summarized as “action research is intended to bring change” while “traditional research is process-product research” as stated by Dr. Dana (2009, p.4). I must find the time for inquiry and reflection because of the benefits both personally and professionally.

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, Sandra, Edmonson, Stacey, & Combs, Julie. (2009). Examining what we do to improve our schools. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education.