Course Reflection: Action Research...Not so bad after all...

I will have to start off by stating that I honestly cannot believe I made it through these five weeks! AcTiOn rEsEaRcH…sounds scary! I wasn’t sure what to expect from this class.  Prior to this class, just the name of the class had me “wondering” and stressed.  I was honestly a bit “discouraged by the baggage that the term research” carried.  After reading the text and the first three weekly assignments I was impressed how much I had learned and how less stressful the last two weeks of assignments were. 

Action Research isn’t so bad after all. I have realized from the reading and lectures that it is needed and a must if wanted to improvement student achievement. Action research is an ongoing systematic study that allows one to self-reflect, evaluate and improve administrative practices. Engaging in this process can open the door; hand over the key allowing a principal to take charge of his/her own effective professional development.  Administrator Mark Bracewell shared a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “what you do speaks so loudly that no one can hear what you say”(p.72).

I discovered how a good leader could transform through his or her work, but can also through the work of others. For instance, the three scholar videos we were asked to watch during week two. After viewing and reflecting each of the videos, each scholar seems to be very knowledgeable and passionate about their action research. The two I chose to reflect on were Dr. Johnny Briseno and Dr. Timothy Chargois. All three are similar in one way or another meaning, all believe that teachers must be lifelong learners, keep up with current best practices and hold student success/achievement first. As an educator, I feel that I’m learning everyday right along with my students and faculty members. Being in grad school this past few weeks has really helped me have a better understanding overall and have become more passionate about my career.

One of my favorite things about this class was the blog page and discussion board. This was a fabulous tool that really helped me get through this class. To be able to view, comment, learn from other colleague’s, critique and receive feedback was valuable.  Great way to prove that communication is the KEY!

In conclusion, I must say and admit that this class has been the most informative thus far.  This course has also taught me about how important “inquiry” and “reflection” can be.  Inquiry can help make informed decisions for improvement and change on campus and with student achievement. Reflecting and learning how to reflect is a perfect tool when making changes in the classroom and / or personal growth.  Many can learn a lot from just taking a few steps back and reflecting on what’s been done or what needs to be done.  Reflecting back on this course, I feel I am in the right direction with my action research plan.  I feel that just because this course is coming to an end……the inquiry process continues.

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

Harris, S., Edmondson, S., & Combs, J. (2009).  Examining what we do to improve our schools:  8 steps from analysis to action.  Larchmont, N.Y.:  Eye on Education

Action Research Challenges...

Challenges:

1. The lack of support from campus teachers (who are not fond of ASC).

2. Students and ASC teacher’s willingness to try new material, assessments and instruments in the classroom.

3. Finding and making the time to go out a research, interview students / teachers and shadow at a campus in a different district that uses the AVID program.

As a committee, I think we must work together to take the time to inform faculty what exactly we are trying to achieve with this research. We must educate the faculty about AVID, seek their personal opinion about what they would like to see with the ASC classes and how this can be beneficial to them in their classroom.  As for finding the time to research off campus, our committee will need to brainstorm and plan where to start with the off campus research. Each committee member should be assigned one campus that uses AVID, then collaborate and analyze with other committee member’s research/finding.  We would also need to seek the approval from an administrator to take a personal or school business day to conduct this research. 

Action Research on it's way ...

Action Planning Template
Goal: In what ways have ASC study skills increased student achievement?  Would AVID be beneficial to our students? If so, how?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Decide and seek approval of action research topic	JM Sanchez & Asst. Principal (site supervisor)	November/ December	Action Research Plan	Agree and approval from Asst. Principal
Select teachers who will be participating in the study	JM Sanchez & Asst. Principal	November / December	Email sent to teacher conf. presenting the action plan	Notes & teachers ideas/suggestions
Meet with selected teachers to brainstorm, collaborate ideas, create a master plan for the study	JM Sanchez & Selected Staff	December	Action Plan Template, internet and staff ideas	All staff, including my own notes & ideas.
Create a survey for students, parents and (ASC) teachers that ask and gather thoughts about ASC study skills and thoughts about AVID (if any).	JM Sanchez & Selected Staff	January	Digital tool to create survey, computer and master ASC schedule	Survey opinions and answers. Do they survey questions provide the data needed for research? Summarize and reflect on data outcome.
Start to research the program AVID. Interview teachers and students from other local districts.	JM Sanchez, Selected Staff and other districts who partake in AVID	January-March	Internet, Brochures, surveys and other districts grade reports / evidence of increase in student achievement	Survey opinions and answers. Do they survey questions provide the data needed for research? Summarize and reflect on data outcome.
Monitor ASC students progress / non-progress and 3 & 6 week grades. Monitor student and teacher daily routines, study & organizational skills.	JM, Selected Staff and ASC students	January / February	Permitted time to do walk through while classes are in session. Progress & report cards.	Summarize and reflect data. What study skills are the students practicing? Are the student’s grades increasing with the ASC study habits?
Meeting with all parties involved in research to share, collaborate, compare and contrast findings about ASC vs. AVID.	JM Sanchez, Selected Staff & Asst. Principal	April	Permitted time approved from Principal. All parties data, surveys, suggestions, charts and outcomes. Proposal ideas/plan	Summarize all findings. Reflect as a whole. Share and provide feedback. Discuss the benefits of AVID. Create Proposal.
All parties meet with district academic dean, board members and campus principals to share and present data. Present proposal for permission / grant of AVID.	JM Sanchez & Selected Staff	May	Present researched data, surveys, suggestions, charts and outcomes. AVID Proposal	Share the outcome of the ASC & AVID research outcome. Present proposal (fingers crossed)

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Week 2: A.R. Reflection...

After viewing and reflecting each of the videos, each scholar seems to be very knowledgeable and passionate about their action research. The two I chose to reflect on were Dr. Johnny Briseno and Dr. Timothy Chargois. All three are similar in one way or another meaning, all believe that teachers must be lifelong learners, keep up with current best practices and hold student success/achievement first. As an educator, I feel that I’m learning everyday right along with my students and faculty members. Being in grad school this past few weeks has really helped me have a better understanding overall and have become more passionate about my career.

Three topics for possible action research that I feel need to be pushed on my campus are:

• Develop a strategic plan to help/increase students study skills.
• Create a survey about and how to promote school spirit.  Brainstorm different methods to help motivate school spirit within student body and faculty.
• Interview and analyze the curriculum in the Academic Support Center dept.

After reviewing which topic I thought would benefit my campus and community the most, I discussed all possibilities with my internship mentor via email.  My mentor felt all three topics were very beneficial, interesting and appealing to all teachers in one way or another.  We both made the decision to start with one and tie in another throughout the research.  It just made more sense to combine the two topics to help with data.  The Academic Support Center helps students become more organized, offer extra tutoring and/ or a quiet environment for students to focus on every class throughout the school day. This class can assist with the data, research, test out different strategies and even incorporate “Study Skills” into the course curriculum. My action research is to help develop a strategic plan to help increase student study skills by using the Academic Support Class as a case study to practice different study skills for a wide variety of students on campus.

BlogHotSpotDotCom...

My students love to blog, especially my current dance team officers.  We have a team blog that the officers and I can manage, allowing line members to only comment. The dance team officers use the blog to communicate with the rest of the team if and/or when there is a change in practice time, location, uniform change, reminders and even chat about what they are wearing to school the next day. Haha - Girls! It works out perfect, no one has an excuse of not receiving a text message or email.  We always remind them that if they can facebook / instagram everyday during and after school, then they can certainly check the team blog.  I also welcome parents to the blog.  It helps keep them updated with team events, performances, parent volunteer and payment deadlines. Some parents have a hard time getting their teenage daughter to communicate with them (surprise, surprise).  Educational leaders use blogs for communication purposes, collaborating and sharing ideas, updating and staying in touch with faculty, students, student alumni, parents, and important/key people around the community. Blogging is the new fad!!

AcTiOn rEsEaRcH…

AcTiOn rEsEaRcH…sounds scary! Doesn’t it?? Prior to reading the text, just the name of the class had me “wondering” and stressed.  While reading the text, I laughed out aloud by myself because I was honestly a bit “discouraged by the baggage that the term research” carried.  After reading the text, I had to give myself a swift kick in the rear for being Miss Negative Nancy.  As a teacher / future principal, I’m suppose to be a role model. I’m suppose to take ownership in learning and leading by example. (I’m back to normal though…no worries! ;->)

Action research is an ongoing systematic study that allows one to self-reflect, evaluate and improve administrative practices. Engaging in this process can open the door; hand over the key allowing a principal to take charge of his/her own effective professional development.  Administrator Mark Bracewell shared a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “what you do speaks so loudly that no one can hear what you say”(p.72)  (Actions speak louder, than words)

According to Harris, action research consist of 8 Steps from Analysis to Action: identify the problem, gather information, analyze information & hold discussions with stakeholders, reflect on finding, formulate solution, begin action research, monitor project, maintain & make adjustments as needed. The 8 steps seem like a long dry process and extremely time consuming…right? Guess that’s why it’s referred to as an “ongoing process”.  I’ve realized that I use these steps on a day-to-day basis at work, at home, at the gym and even while choreographing competitive dances for my dance team girls. I may not use all 8 steps at one time, but 5 out of 8 are always being used.  I look forward to implementing all 8 Steps from Analysis to Action throughout my dancers contest season starting this Monday morning. I will also be practicing action research in December, as I serve on the District Study Skills Action Committee. 

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

Harris, S., Edmondson, S., & Combs, J. (2009).  Examining what we do to improve our schools:  8 steps from analysis to action.  Larchmont, N.Y.:  Eye on Education