Action Research - Topics of interest for possible project

This week in our Action Research class, we are assigned to begin the selection process for our research project. The goal is to brainstorm three possible topics and work with our site supervisor to narrow it down to one. The following are my three proposed topics for feedback from my site supervisor: 1) Staff Development - emphasis on Professional Learning Communities: We have been scheduling monthly meetings during the last two school years and calling them PLC's. However, my observation is that the members of these teams are not really sure what the purpose is, what the discussion should entail, and what the outcome should be. Offering training on the possible uses and allowing members to be part of the brainstorming for customizing PLC's for our campus will help members be more effective and have a positive experience on their teams; 2) Parental/Central Admin. Involvement: how can our campus encourage more involvement in the educational process from parents and central admin.? How can we encourage parents to be more than chaperones and party helpers? How can we involve central admin on a deeper level than just hall monitors during TAKS week?; 3) Students - emphasis on struggling readers and students in Resource: how can our campus ensure that interventions are meeting the needs of struggling readers and students in reading Resource? How would inclusion vs co-teaching affect all students in the general education classroom?

The ideal goal and desired outcome for any one of these topics of research is to improve student achievement.

The use of blogs in education leadership

There seems to be a blog today for anything you desire to read about. At one point in my life I was intimidated and reluctant in putting blogs to use. However, with technological advancements and the more user friendly avenues for electronic communication, I find it easier to "blog" today.

With that said, why shouldn't principals be using blogs as a form of communication? Not only is one writing out information, but it is an easy and far reaching way to solicit feedback and responses. Blogs would be beneficial in ways such as communicating with staff during summer months, while on long holiday breaks, or in case of school closures due to natural disasters (such as Houston experienced during Hurricane Ike). Additionally, a blog could be set up specifically for communications with students. Many teachers today maintain a blog for posting homework assignments and other items. Similarly, principals could communicate positive feedback to students, as well as solicit their concerns and input into the school improvement process. Parents would benefit from being able to provide feedback via use of a blog site. This would facilitate communication with parents who may not be able to travel to the campus for face-to-face meetings. Finally, a blog would provide access to information by, and a way of providing feedback from community members. Blogs could literally open the electronic door for all shareholders to gain access to the school improvement process, while providing valuable information through two-way communication.

Action Research - Note #1

The current class I am entering is leading me into yet another realm that I did not know existed. The typical approach to making change in the schools has been the process-product approach as discussed by Nancy Dana in the first chapter of her book (Dana, 2009). However, the action research approach make much more sense. It allows the principal to make a self-examen of sorts by researching into issues that need improving, or change, from the inside out. Rather than seeking outside eyes to take a look and make recommendations of the latest method, the principal and their staff collaborate from the participants' perspectives. From industrial manufacturing plants to any number of other professions, it has been proven time and again that the best people to ask about an issue that needs improving or change is the person who is doing the work surrounding that issue. For example, if an assembly line is not meeting its anticipated output, the best person to ask is not the Operations Manager; rather it is the line worker who uses the machinery, inspects the product, observes daily how the line works.

This research method would be an ideal tool for the school principal and their staff. It lends itself to the idea of continuous improvement --- one doesn't simply research an issue for current ways that are being developed, but taking the research of others a step further and "customizing" solutions for your school. Additionally, once the issue has been resolved, the process does not stop there. You move on to the next item for research. This research is not for merely putting together a report on the subject. It is to induce positive change in the school (whether it be the climate, culture or instruction process), which in turn should lead to improvement in student achievement. This form of problem solving goes hand-in-hand with other collaboration efforts such as use of PLC and developing diverse teams.
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Dana, N.F. (2009), Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.