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.