Two minor changes to my action research plan

The clientele of my school has changed.  The number of low-income families has dropped.  However, we still have families that do not have access to the internet at home.  This was a major oversight of mine when I created a web survey.  In a reply from the discussion board, someone pointed this issue out.  I plan to address this issue by allowing the use of the library computers for visitors who may need them to access their student’s grades and communication survey.    In addition, I was going to utilize the website http://www.surveymonkey.com.  The free plan was limited to 100 responses.  My goal is to receive 200.  Only receive 100 surveys will alter the results.  It was suggested to implement google docs.  An option in google docs is to create a form.  The results are recorded in a table and are unlimited in the number of  allowable responses.   Implementing these two suggestions will get my action research off on the right foot.

The Plan

Action Research Plan

Parental Communication

All of the following steps correspond to the Harris et al. text, but
also addresses aspects of the Dana text as noted.

1.         SETTING THE FOUNDATION – Through collaboration with my site supervisor, the issue of parental communication has been identified as a concern due to the large change of clientele.

2.           ANALYZING DATA – Using a variety of means to gather data.  I will determine what are the top three preferred methods of communication and perceived school climate.

Type of data gathering strategies:

A) Online survey

B) District interviews – how do your schools communicate with parents?  

3.         DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING – I will visit with the SBDM about findings, and I will note any comments from a community/staff perspective.  In addition, I will compile data from the number of referrals and grade point averages to begin seeking a correlation.

4.         ENGAGE IN SELF-REFLECTION – I will reflect upon this experience and relate it to areas that I identified as weak areas of leadership and experience in leadership.

5.         EXPLORING PROGRAMMATIC PATTERNS – I will ask questions that relate to the sustainability of the indicated desired methods of communication and address availability of resources.  I will also talk to Belton ISD’s general counsel regarding the legal ramifications of using social media.  In addition, I will talk to the public relations officer about the general pitfalls the district has in communication.

6.         DETERMINING DIRECTION – Steps are clearly outlined within a reasonable time frame. Effectiveness will be measure through data gained from student gradepoint averages, parent perceived school climate and number of referrals within a specified time period.  See chart below.

Action                    Responsible    Start/End      Resources            Evaluation

Create survey	Zach Kline	9/6-9/12	Paper/Survey Monkey/ Link on website	Have an accessible survey
Request data for student avg. and referrals from 2009-2010 school year	Campus PEIMS – Cheryl Lafitte	9/26-9/30	None	Able to obtain data
Distribute Survey	Zach Kline / Homeroom Teachers	9/12-10/1	Email notification	Strive for 200 returned surveys
Analyze data to determine preferred method of communication	Zach Kline	10/1-10/8	Survey Monkey	Answer goal 2
Implement a communication system and distribute information to parents	Zach Kline/ Joe Brown / Journalism Class	10/8-6/1	To be determined by survey	Information is being distributed as to be determined (monthly/biweekly)
Request Data for student averages and referrals for 2010-2011 school year	Campus PEIMS – Cheryl Lafitte	5/21-5/25	None	Able to obtain data
Redistribute survey	Zach Kline / Homeroom Teachers	5/7-5/21	Paper/Survey Monkey/ Link on website	Strive for 200 returned surveys
Analyze data  and form conclusion	Zach Kline	5/25-6/1	None	Have a grounded conclusion

7.         TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
- After analyzing results, the SBDM will comment and seek ways to implement the preferred communication style of parents. A meeting with the journalism teacher will help aide in the publication of material that will be distributed to parents. After talking with one of my mentors, the need for a parenting section became apparent.  I wonder where this would fit into the overall picture.

8.         SUSTAIN IMPROVEMENT
- Depending on the results of the follow-up survey, the new means of communication will be implemented as a prominent fixture of Belton Middle School’s communication to parents.  The venues of communication will be evaluated annually by the SBDM for improvements.

Week 2 Reflection

After reading the discussion board in epic and talking with my site supervisor, I have decided to shift my focus from parental involvement to parent communication.  With the change of clientele at my school, I think it will be very beneficial to make a inquiry of their communication preferences.   I learned that it is important to create a specific question when engaging in action research.  This will help enable me to not have such a wide topic and focus on one area.

There were a few items in the Leading with Passion and Knowledge book that sparked my interest.

Principal as staff developer is an integral part of the concept of the principal as instructional leader. Pg. 32

It seems as a daunting task to be responsible of teacher and student learning.  However, I do believe that teachers should model and talk to students about their desire for life long learning through examples.  Last Monday, I was asking my students how their weekend was and I told them about my homework assignment.  In addition, I believe principals should show their commitment to life long learning to staff.  Principals should always come to teacher meetings with ideas, new educational trends, and questions to guide their solutions to problems.

National Staff Development Council www.nsdc.org Pg. 39

This website/organization is new to me.  I enjoyed looking around their website.  They have a section titled "Examining the Evidence, A database of research and reports on the links between professional learning and student success." You can get very specific results when searching the database.

It is people, not programs, that determine the quality of a school. Pg. 39

This is another example of how important it is to have top quality staff.  I think at times, we look for programs and other things to implement to get a change.  I like the KISS method.  We should first reflect and try a new avenue before implementing new programs.  Great teachers can capture any student.  Great instruction does not stem from dollar amounts or programs, it stems from teacher student relationships and creative teaching.

School culture undergirds everything teachers and students in a school say and do... Pg. 46

Creating the family atmosphere is important at any school.  Students need support from different angles and people/peers.  Negativity breeds fear and should be eliminated whenever possible.  Teachers/staff should be upbeat and engaged with their students to promote learning.

5 Practices of exemplary leaders -Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, Encourage the Heart. Pg. 52

I think these practices are equally important to each other.  Principals are the leaders and of their campus and must help foster the culture of their school.

What is Action Research

Action research is a process that is introspective.  Principals examine their own school systematically to make a change based on data that steams from an initial inquiry.    Most notably that sets action research apart from other types of research is that “practitioners play a part in the research process, which makes them more likely to facilitate change based on the knowledge they generate” (Dana, 2009, p. 5). The practitioner or principal designs, collects data, and makes analysis around their inquiry.  This process is a continual motion “of spirals consisting of reflection and action” (Dana, 2009, p. 5).   As principals gain a deeper understanding of their practice and leadership role within their school, they are gaining expertise.  “Action research holds promise as a powerful professional development tool for principals” (Dana, 2009, p.3)  While the individual uses action research, it is noteworthy to explore other uses of action research.  Action research lends itself to collaboration.  It can be utilized across all educational settings.   Action research can be used at the district level, leadership team level, in professional learning communities, and self.  Action research is very diverse.  However, it is not a means of finding what is wrong, or finding information about a particular topic.  Action research helps educators improve their skills to do things better.

                                                                                                

Reference:

Fichman, Nancy Dana (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action Researcher.   

     Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

How educational leaders might use blogs

Using a 21st century skill set of our digital native students, education leaders must be proactive in their use of technology.  Educational leaders can utilize blogs to reach a diverse demographic of stakeholders and  as a tool for professional growth.  Blogs have the potential to serve as a common ground for collaboration, allowing for an outlet for discussion.  In addition, personal reflection can be recorded and revisited to gain expertise.  Most importantly, blogs can communicate with stakeholders and students to relay information.  Uses for blogs are limitless and reach a diverse group of people.