Action Research Plan - Review of school-wide book study

Action Planning Template
Goal:  To understand how a recent school-wide book study on Ruby Payne’s A Framework for Understanding Poverty contributed to how we create change, as a school and as individuals, and work toward breaking the cycle of poverty?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Create a survey for the teachers in the school that participated in the book study in the previous school year (2011-2012).	J. Milne	October 2012	Ruby Payne’s book: A Framework for Understanding Poverty; computer; paper.	Sample surveys; reference texts.
Have the survey approved by the principal or assistant principal.	J. Milne	October 2012	E-mail; hard copy of survey.	Principal approval.
Find out number or teachers that will receive the survey, and make copies of the survey.	J. Milne	October 2012	List of current faculty/staff at the school; paper; copier.	N/A
Distribute the survey.  Include date in which to respond by.	J. Milne	October 2012	(Mail room)	N/A
Collect surveys.	J. Milne	October 2012	(Mail room)	Compare number of distributed surveys to number of collected surveys.
Collect late surveys.	J. Milne	October-November 2012	(Mail room)	Compare number of distributed surveys to number of collected surveys.
Analyze responses of collected surveys, noting patterns and discrepancies.	J. Milne	November 2012	Collected surveys; Excel spreadsheet if needed.	Excel spreadsheet if needed.
Reflect upon findings and draw conclusions; discuss with principal and assistant principals.	J. Milne	November 2012 or by appointment with principal and assistant principals.	Collected surveys; Excel spreadsheet if needed.	Excel spreadsheet if needed; final report if needed; discussion with principal and assistant principals.
Sustain improvement  (learn to use the tools of action research as an on-going process for professional development and school improvement);	J. Milne; principal and assistant principals.	November 2012 or by appointment with principal and assistant principals.	N/A	After discussion with principal and vice principals, decide what actions need to be taken next in order to make full use of the school-wide book study and research project.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Week One 5301

            From what I have learned so far, I am in support of engaging in action research.  It provides a more personal experience, and in turn, provides more meaningful and probable change for both individuals and organizations. By applying this type of research to one's school or district, the practitioner invests something more substantial into the research, rather than approach "outsider" findings as hypothetical and easily dismissive.  Having the opportunity to identify and analyze issues that are current and relevant, and then being able to propose, implement, and analyze solutions is a gift in itself.  It is wonderful to learn via examples, but the learning experience is richer when the learner is involved directly.     

            Of all the pertinent and thought-provoking information I have reviewed thus far, one point really resonated with me, and I cannot help but continue to think about it.  The Dana text addressed the issue of finding or making the time to engage in inquiry.  I have found that balance and time management can be very difficult for me to employ effectively.  In the text, it says that one has to make a point to stop and take a breath, and really give attention to this process.  I definitely think this is an area that I will struggle with, but I am also eager to dive in, as I know it will be productive both personally and professionally.

 

             Educational leaders might very well benefit from blogging.  If they are so inclined, they may share their blogs with others, or keep more private, like a personal diary.  Regardless of how much they share, a great point was brought up in the Dana text (pp. 87-89):  we sometimes forget how valuable our own reflections are as data.  If nothing else, educational leaders might utilize blogging as a record of documentation and a timeline.