I am posting my action research plan template below. I have had a difficult time in deciding exactly what project to pursue but I have decided on the research problem below due to the importance of Science TAKS scores as well as my close connection to the science department. The most difficult part of the planning process has been trying to determine how to define a successful TAKS Science Lab. Evaluation of research and data and drawing conclusions is something that requires careful consideration when considering action research projects.
Please do not hesitate to comment on any aspect of this research project. I welcome any suggestions or advice that you may have!
Talk to you soon!
Action Planning Template 7.1
Goal: How effective are the Science TAKS Lab Classes at Weimar High School in addressing student needs related to improved learning and successfully passing the Science TAKS Test.
Action Step #1
Document all TAKS Science Lab students grades from the last science class that they were enrolled in.
Person Responsible:
Vincent Brown
Timeline:
August 15th-August 30th
Needed Resources:
Science grade reports from 2009-2010 for all students enrolled in TAKS Science Labs in 2010-2011.
Evaluation:
I will have all science grades for 2009-2010 school year documented for all students enrolled in TAKS Science Labs for 2010-2011 school year. Data will be placed in folder.
Action Step #2:
Document Science TAKS scores for those students who have failed the Science TAKS test previously.
Person Responsible:
Vincent Brown
Timeline:
August 15th-August 30th
Needed Resources:
Science TAKS Data for those students who have previously failed the Science TAKS Test.
Evaluation:
Science TAKS Scores for those students who have previously failed the Science TAKS Test will be collected and placed in folder and secured in locked cabinet in office.
Action Step #3:
Administer Science Pre-Test to all TAKS Science Lab Classes
Person Responsible:
Vincent Brown/Rebecca Moreno
Timeline:
August 20th-29th 2010
Needed Resources:
Standardized Science Pre-Test
Evaluation:
Science Pre-Tests will be graded and data recorded in notebook for each student.
Action Step #4:
Administer Science Post Test to all TAKS Science Lab students
Person Responsible:
Vincent Brown/Rebecca Moreno
Timeline:
May 15th-25th 2011
Needed Resources:
Standardized Science Post-Test
Evaluation:
Science Post-Tests will be graded and data placed in notebook
Action-Step #5:
Collect Science TAKS results for those students who took the Science TAKS Test during the 2010-2011 school year.
Person Responsible:
Vincent Brown/Rebecca Moreno/Mr. Darrin Bickham
Timeline:
May 15th-30th 2011
Needed Resources:
2010-2011 TAKS Science Test Results for those students in Science TAKS Labs
Evaluation:
Science TAKS data will be documented and placed in folder in locked office
Action-Step #6:
Analyze collective data from action steps #1-5 and record results in folder that is secured in locked office.
Person Responsible:
Vincent Brown
Timeline:
June 5th-June 30th 2011
Needed Resources:
All data from action steps #1-5
Evaluation:
A written report will be composed utilizing charts and tables to show student data comparisons from action steps #1-5.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Still Learning!
In continuing my quest for an action research project I have come up with many possible areas in which research would benefit my school. The reading from Nancy Dana's "Leading with Passion and Knowledge" has been a great help in brainstorming important areas that can be used for action research.
One of the hurdles that I have found that I must address is being able to narrow down my research question and focus on one specific aspect. I have found that I also must be able to come up with research data to support or refute my action research questions. Sometimes it is hard to be able to come up with answers to questions due to a large number of variables. We must always make sure that our research is accurate and actually answers the question that we are trying to answer.
So in conclusion I am learning that my action research questions and topics must be analyzed beforehand to make sure that this is a question that can be answered and that I will be able to collect research data on. I must have the tools and ability to conduct the action research project that I have chosen.
Have a great week and I will talk to you soon!
One of the hurdles that I have found that I must address is being able to narrow down my research question and focus on one specific aspect. I have found that I also must be able to come up with research data to support or refute my action research questions. Sometimes it is hard to be able to come up with answers to questions due to a large number of variables. We must always make sure that our research is accurate and actually answers the question that we are trying to answer.
So in conclusion I am learning that my action research questions and topics must be analyzed beforehand to make sure that this is a question that can be answered and that I will be able to collect research data on. I must have the tools and ability to conduct the action research project that I have chosen.
Have a great week and I will talk to you soon!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
How Can Educators Use Blogs/Journals
I am new to the "blogging" scene so I am still in the process of learning how and why blogging can be beneficial to me as an administrator. I am familiar with the using journals to record our thoughts and ideas but I must admit that I have never been one to record my thoughts personally.
In researching Journals and weblogs I have used Nancy Dana's book titled "Leading with passion and knowledge". Dana states that using journals and weblogs is one way that principal-researchers can capture their thinking as an inquiry unfolds (p.87). Weblogs are easy to create and publish as is evidenced by the fact that I have been able to do it pretty easy!
Blogging allows us to also add images and links to our text which we are unable to do in journals.
Dana also states that "capturing your own thinking over time can lead to critical insights into your administrative practice, insights that may only occur when you revisit a thought or when you string a number of thoughts together that have come to you intermittently over a longer period of time"(Leading with passion and knowlege, p.88).
I believe that using a blog is also beneficial in that we can easily share our thoughts with others if we so desire. I know that blogging has become more popular in recent years and I am just a little behind the times in catching on but I have a feeling that "blogging" is going to be a regular part of my daily routine before long!
Have a great day and I'll be back real soon!
In researching Journals and weblogs I have used Nancy Dana's book titled "Leading with passion and knowledge". Dana states that using journals and weblogs is one way that principal-researchers can capture their thinking as an inquiry unfolds (p.87). Weblogs are easy to create and publish as is evidenced by the fact that I have been able to do it pretty easy!
Blogging allows us to also add images and links to our text which we are unable to do in journals.
Dana also states that "capturing your own thinking over time can lead to critical insights into your administrative practice, insights that may only occur when you revisit a thought or when you string a number of thoughts together that have come to you intermittently over a longer period of time"(Leading with passion and knowlege, p.88).
I believe that using a blog is also beneficial in that we can easily share our thoughts with others if we so desire. I know that blogging has become more popular in recent years and I am just a little behind the times in catching on but I have a feeling that "blogging" is going to be a regular part of my daily routine before long!
Have a great day and I'll be back real soon!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Action Research from my Perspective
This has been the first time that I have dealt with the term "action research" in my educational career. My experiences have always been with the traditional research models that have been used throughout the years. Usually I have received information concerning research that has been conducted by someone that I have never heard of in an inservice meeting and then I have been asked to implement some type of program that the school believes will help our students in some way. Throughout my 16 years in public education I have been a part of implementing so many new programs that I cannot begin to count them all. The sad thing is that most of the programs did not last more than one year before they were replaced by yet another new educational fad. I have always accepted that this is the way that things were done in education and I have always tried to be faithful and do whatever was asked of me without questioning the relevance or logic of many of the programs.
In the last week I have learned much about "action research" and how it can help me as a professional to grow as well as how it can benefit our teachers and students. I believe that action research can be much more productive than traditional research in that the principal is directly involved in the research and things can be done at the campus level. With "action research" you can address immediate concerns that are impacting your schools. I like the fact that "action research" is done by someone that is an actual stakeholder and not someone that is at the university level and has no direct link to the school.
I believe that administrator inquiry or action research will be of great benefit to me in analyzing and addressing concerns that are specific to my school. I also believe that this type of research may help me be more involved and "connected" with my faculty. I would personally like to use my leadership teams on campus as a "learning organization" when I become an administrator.
These are just some of my recent experiences and views on "Action Research"!
In the last week I have learned much about "action research" and how it can help me as a professional to grow as well as how it can benefit our teachers and students. I believe that action research can be much more productive than traditional research in that the principal is directly involved in the research and things can be done at the campus level. With "action research" you can address immediate concerns that are impacting your schools. I like the fact that "action research" is done by someone that is an actual stakeholder and not someone that is at the university level and has no direct link to the school.
I believe that administrator inquiry or action research will be of great benefit to me in analyzing and addressing concerns that are specific to my school. I also believe that this type of research may help me be more involved and "connected" with my faculty. I would personally like to use my leadership teams on campus as a "learning organization" when I become an administrator.
These are just some of my recent experiences and views on "Action Research"!
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