Reflection - Week 2

Things are becoming clearer!  Dr. Briseno really highlighted how action research can be used by the teachers for the teachers.  I think I work better with the end in mind, so this really helps me "complete the circle" regarding action research.  Viewing the videos helped illustrate the way action research is really used to effect change in student learning.  As I completed this week's assignments, I found myself constantly "tweaking" my project in my mind.  Now to get it on paper!

Action Research Project

Some of our campuses struggle with behavior issues despite the district's implementation of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports).   I have chosen to focus my Action Research Project on our junior high school, and more specifically our current 7th grade students.  I will study current discipline data for this group along with teacher surveys that address the attitude toward and implementation of PBIS.  Because we will have a new administrator at that campus next year who is committed to PBIS, I will compare the current year data to next year's data.  Teacher surveys will again be conducted in December of next school year to provide comparison data.  Because the discipline of special education students is a specific concern, I will disaggregate that data as well.  PBIS is a research-based approach and I look forward to reviewing research specific to this age group.  I hope my research will illustrate that when properly implemented, the PBIS approach reduces classroom interruptions and student removals.  Students and teachers will benefit from fewer behavior issues.  Further, I hope that as a result of my project, other campuses will realize the benefit of this program and implement it fully as well. 

Use of Blogs by Educational Leaders

The benefits of professional blogging are identified by Dana as a means to collaborate with other educational professionals who are miles apart but share the same concerns.  Others may have already addressed specific concerns of your campus and can offer insight into their actions.  Also, a blog can serve as a place to record thoughts and reflections on issues at your school.  The ability to go back and read the prior blog posts allows administrators to “keep track” of issues and concerns, and the action taken to solve them.  Also, blogging can provide the framework for an action research project as you identify concerns that need action.

Action Research

I have learned that action research is a multi faceted approach to problem solving.   It differs from traditional educational research in that it is initiated at the campus or district level and can address concerns specific to that site.  Action research begins with a question or concern.  Data is then collected and research literature is studied to gain insight into the problem.  Based on the knowledge gained during the process, a plan of action is then formulated.  Sharing information with others completes the action research process, but it should not end there.  Reflection is a means to continue to think about the problem and address issues as they arise.  Through reflection, the change effected through the research project continues to address issues specific to the campus or district and allows for maximum benefit. 

In my current position, I currently conduct portions of action research projects, but have discovered that I leave out important aspects.  As a department, we collect data as part of an ongoing process to conduct program evaluations, and base decisions/actions on that data.  Missing is the research and reflection portions of the process.  I now see that our “action plans” have been limited by these omissions.  We can make much better decisions by accessing research that has already been conducted and by collaborating with others with similar concerns. 

Since discipline is an ongoing concern at our junior high school, my action research project will focus on our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) program.  I will collect data on a specific group of students this year and next to evaluate the implementation level of the campus, student and teacher attitudes toward the program, and the effect the program has had on these students’ behaviors.

A First

Hello Everyone, and welcome to my blog!  This is a first for me and I am excited to be able to use this tool in my professional activities.  I believe it will serve as a sort of "professional diary" with the benefit of building on ideas and receiving feedback from my peers.  I always say that I am a terrible inventor, but an awesome "tweaker", so I look forward to your comments and suggestions.