Action Research Plan

Goal:
Reduce the amount of students tardy to class while increasing the amount of time each student spends in class.
Outcome:
Reduce the amount of students roaming the halls during class, reduce the amount of interuptions to class, provide a clear, consistent means of tracking tardies, provide more consistent discipline for the students, and increase security in the school.
Wondering:
Are there any proven systems in place at other high schools, dealing with tardies, that help reduce the amount of children roaming the halls and increase the amount of time students spend in classrooms, while reducing the amount of work placed on the teacher and providing more consistent discipline for the students?

Action Steps Person Responsible Timeline Resouces needed Evaluation
1.Determine research topic Sheila Hyde Jul-10 email receive guidance from principal

2.Identify school districts similar to ours Sheila Hyde Jul-10 Internet follow timeline

3.Identify software programs available for tracking tardies - or if our current system would work. Sheila Hyde Aug-10 Internet follow timeline

4.Create a survey for the teachers to see if they believe there is a need for such a system Sheila Hyde Aug-10 Survey monkey Share questions and answers with site supervisor

5.Create question set to ask/send to principals so that information gathered will be consistent Sheila Hyde August - Novemeber 2010 Internet/ phone Develop rubric to help chart responses.

6.Evaluate Data collected through interviews and online research Sheila Hyde December 2010- January 20111 Computer/Internet/Email Develop rubric to help chart responses.

7.Identify gaps or patterns in data Sheila Hyde/Elise Curry January - March 2011 previously collected information, charts, and rubrics. Use charts and responses to locate gaps or patterns.

8.Determine direction/action needed Sheila Hyde/Elise Curry Mar-11 time with mentor work with mentor to determine best solution for our school.

9.Create summary and action reccommended to present to Principal Sheila Hyde March-May 2011 Word and Excel Have mentor review and approve reccommendation prior to sending to head principal.

EDLD 5301 Week 2 - Reflections

This week I began to see where I went wrong with the practice principal exam test that we took during the first course. In the business world you have to react very quickly, sometimes with very limited information. It seems that in the education world leaders have more access to published data because the situations are similar from district to district and the education world enjoys sharing information and being published. While this means that it will take longer to make a decision, based on the amount of available information, it also means that the decisions made should be more sound.

How educational leaders might use blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs to create networks and share information that can help other educators through challenging situations that they have already experienced or simply provide a sounding board for ideas from other professionals.

What I have learned about Action Research

Action research or administrative is introduced by the book Leading with Passion and Knowledge – Dana. This type of inquiry requires the researcher to want to change a one of their current practices. The researcher then begins a systematic process of looking for other available solutions and implements the best solution for the situation.
Action research differs from traditional education research because a lot of the information comes from people who are in the same role or actively engaged in teaching unlike traditional research where the vast majority of the information available to the researcher comes from people who are far removed from the school itself. Most of that information is very academic, yet not as practical as information derived from studies performed in the school setting.

The 4 main areas where action research is used in the school systems are:
• Professional Learning Communities (PLC)
• Leadership Teams
• University Coursework
• Superintendent Meetings

There are many benefits to action research and I believe that I can use this systematic way of asking questions to improve my school. Because the information I will look at in my research will be information that has been created by actual schools; instead of theory’s that have not been proven. The information will be more valuable and it will be easier to gain consensus in the change, if the others believe it will work based on proven events in other schools.

The part of action research that I believe holds the most value is the reflection process. Reflecting on successful situations allows you to discover what went right so you are able to duplicate the effect later on in a similar situation. Reflecting, honestly, about challenges allow you to discover areas for action research, personal growth, team trainings, and/or policy changes that need to be made. It is important when reflecting not to point fingers at anyone, simply to review the situation and see what you the leader could do differently. Focus on what you can control and do not get lost on what you are unable to control.