Action Research Plan - The Revisions

My site supervisor was unable to meet with me this week to review my action research plan. Therefore, I am not able to reach a consensus on a plan in its entirety. However, I have reviewed the first two drafts of my action research plan, and have identified recommended changes, revisions, and additions that need to be made.

Some of the revisions I am making involve the questionnaire portion of my action research plan. I will be developing open-ended surveys that will allow me to determine perceptions about mandatory school uniforms, the understanding of why a dress code exists, the feelings about a mandatory school uniform policy, and the positive and negative impacts this policy has on campus culture.

I am also considering developing an online discussion board or forum where stakeholders can share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the development and enforcement of mandatory school uniforms. This online resource will be both user-friendly and confidential, as to encourage honest and open dialogue.

Another revision to my action research plan will involve visiting contrasting campuses where some school uniforms are required, and other campuses where no school uniforms are required. I feel that this will give me a better understanding, and more accurate collection of data regarding this controversial topic. As I have learned in this class, it is important that we research from all angles and viewpoints. This holistic approach to researching specific topics allows for the most accurate accumulation of data, and leads way to the most accurate interpretation of that data.

Action Research Plan

Nine Areas of Major Wonderings

To be human, means to be driven by passion. Passion leads us to do things. Sometimes those things are good, and sometimes not so good. Either way, passion is an emotion that inspires us to move.

When teaching is your passion, you desire to be your best at it. You constantly seek out and implement instructional strategies that will make you a most effective educator. In the book, Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher, author Dana suggests that educational leaders both inquire and investigate based on their areas of passion. When discussing school leaders, she lists the following nine areas of major wonderings:

1. Staff development
2. Curriculum development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School performance
9. Social justice

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: the principal as an action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

I'm Trying To Decide... What To Wear?

Regarding our action research topic, I am considering selecting the policy of mandatory school uniforms for students. This is an issue that stirs up mumbles and rumbles at my campus (from students and parents - and even some teachers), and I want to know more about this. I know it's district policy as well, but I want to research the effects (both positive and negative) it has on campus culture and student achievement. Since I work in a Title I school, I have heard arguments for both the pros and cons of mandatory school uniforms, but I'd personally like to put some action research to it, with my specific campus in mind.

How Might Educational Leaders Use Blogs?

Journaling is an excellent way to record and reflect on our individual and unique thoughts. A blog enhances the act of journaling through features like reverse chronological order, the ability to combine text, images, and links to other sites. Another great feature is the ability for readers to provide comments and feedback. This aspect alone takes journaling to the next level by providing an opportunity for online dialogue. This can prove to be a huge leadership and administrator inquiry asset, as action researchers collaborate online to discuss, debate, and deliberate.

Action Research: What I've Learned So Far...

Based on the assigned readings, administrative inquiry is the engaging action of a principal, in an intentional and systematic study process. "Inquiring professionals seek out change and reflect on their practice by posing questions or "wonderings," collecting data to gain insights into their wonderings, analyzing the data along with reading relevant literature, making changes in practice based on new understandings developed during inquiry, and sharing findings with others," (Dana, 2009). He/she breaks down his/her administrative practice, taking a detailed look at all of it’s aspects, and deciding what action to take regarding the findings. In an attempt to be a learning leaders, these inquring professionals answer questions about their practice by collecting and analyzing content specific data, reading articles, and adapting their practice to the new ideals they have come to understand. This is considered a powerful and personal transformation that benefits the leader and improves the school. It is an opportunity for leaders to learn and understand why they behave the way they do, and then bring about positive change that allows them to behave in ways that are more effective. Honestly, this is a process that should occur quite frequently in the life of a leader. For a principal, it is imperative that administrator action research is revisited and applied to his/her practice. This too involves effective qualities like continuous, relevant, job-embedded, planned, focused, and reflective elements.

I will be able to implement the many benefits of action research into my professional endeavors, is it does more than just provide principals with an opportunity to grow professionally. In addition to this key advantage, there exist many other benefits regarding action research. Principals who conduct administrator inquiry are directly responsible, and are forced to take the initiative for decision making. They determine the issues and problems to be researched, and they develop and implement the inquiry. Leaders gain a greater understanding of their own practice, and are able to make informed decisions, ask more specific questions, and systematically find the answers.

Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.