Action Research Project process overview

ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT

PROCESS OVERVIEW

Campus Culture the same as our student population?

1. SETTING THE FOUNDATION –

After speaking with campus administrators, identify the key problems that we think our campus has as a campus culture that may not reflect our student population.  Once the key issues have been identified, they will be presented to the site-based decision making committee for discussion.

2. ANALYZING DATA –

Analyze the most recent AEIS report and identify the diversity among students on our campus. Use this data to assemble a focus group that will reflect the diversity within the campus.  Once the focus group has met, take the data accumulated from the focus group and analyze what actions we might need to take to develop a better culture for our students.

3. DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING –

Once the focus group of students has completed their meeting, the information that has been attained from those students will be considered in developing a survey to give to other stakeholders of our campus.  This can be through mail or a survey can be developed and placed on the school website.  Once the survey data has been collected, I will do internet searches to see what resources and ideas I can get for strategies to improve the campus culture. 

4. ENGAGE IN SELF-REFLECTION –

Self-Reflection questions might include:

• Will the campus leadership allow me the time and accessibility to the students who are in the focus group?

• How will the stakeholders respond to the asking of questions about their culture and what improvements might they suggest for the campus?

• Can I gather the data in a timely manner in order to get this action research plan into action so I can try making improvements to the campus?

• Can I develop a survey that is concise but thorough enough for the stakeholders to give beneficial information?  

5. EXPLORING PROGRAMMATIC PATTERNS –

After speaking with my site-supervisor about the action research plan that I am planning on doing, he suggested that I communicate with parents of the students who are part of the focus group.  He also suggested that I do some research into what type of thought provoking questions to ask the students in the focus group.  He said that the questions need to be very open-ended in order to get really thoughtful information.

6. DETERMINING DIRECTION –

-          I’m trying to determine if our campus’ culture promotes our student’s culture.

-          For this action research project to be a success, I must be able to communicate with the focus group and stakeholders of our campus.  Administration has said I can use the enrichment period to speak with my focus group and I have developed a survey on the internet before.

-          Campus administration always knows what is going on when I’m working on some sort of project.  They do give me a lot of freedom, which is why I make sure they are very informed.  When I have issues, I do speak with them to see if they have advice.

-          My timelines are very realistic.  I make sure to give myself a little extra time to make sure I meet my deadlines.  

-          Monitoring this plan will be through active monitoring.  A checklist will be developed to determine if thing are being done properly.  As I monitor things that involve the project, I will use the checklist to determine if it is being done properly.

-          To determine that my plan is a success, I will see how many students are participating with the plan.  If stakeholders get involved in the plan and seem to enjoy it, I would consider it a success.

-          Through active monitoring and stakeholder involvement, I can reflect on what might need to be improved to make the plan more effective.  Once I have developed improvements, I will present them to campus administration.  

7. TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

Once the plan has been developed, I can begin to take action.  I have come up with several ideas to increase the knowledge of the school culture throughout our campus.  This will include a culture night where students will get to know about different cultures that make up our student’s population.  Another possible action is the development of cultural clubs to help students understand their culture and other cultures.  I also think that having cultural food available for students to eat during lunch will benefit our student’s culture.

8. SUSTAIN IMPROVEMENT

 

Throughout the action research project, I will evaluate the project and reflect back on how I can make improvements to the project as my leadership develops.  As I have success with the project, I am going to share the success with colleagues on-line and at school.  When I have a failure, I am going to share that as well and collaborate with campus leadership to see what I might need to modify for possible success next time.