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