I met with my site supervisor this week. She has approved my Action Research Plan. She said it looked good and more important, it is workable. I may make additions to the action steps once school starts and I am working the plan.
All of my principals cautioned me to be realistic about my expectations. I will be tracking the top 10 ISS students from last year. Our new on-line documentation system may result in fewer office referrals and ISS placements, BUT, they cautioned, this may not include the top 10. I have to understand that the persistent problem students may require more intervention and motivation than our new plan provides. I understand this fact and know that our program is not a cure-all for classroom management. My hope is that the teaming, the real time posting of problems, and the increased communication will curb MOST of our minor classroom discipline problems.
My plan is posted below. I invite you to read the plan, pick it apart, and give me some feedback.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Week 3 - Action Research Plan
Action Research Plan
Goal: My goal is to increase the students’ accountability for their behavior and to decrease office referrals and time spent in ISS placements.
Outcome: As students spend more time in the classroom, their learning and retention will increase which result in their improved performance.
Inquiry Question: How will implementing a school-wide positive behavior and on-line documentation program affect the number of office referrals and students assigned to ISS?
Action Step (s) Person(s) Responsible Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation
1. Develop a positive behavior plan using a point system.
Cat Committee: April Sarpy, Lanell Dugan, Misti Knight, Tiffany Wilson, Catherine Hernandez
July 26 – August 13, 2010
List of positive behaviors, Wildcat Ways
Review plan, point system with Asst. Principals and Principal.
2. Create a points tracking spreadsheet in Google Docs.
April Sarpy, Lanell Dugan
July 26 – August 13, 2010
Computer
Review with Asst. Principals and Principal. Review
3. Rollout new behavior plan and point tracking spreadsheet. Misti Knight
April Sarpy, Lanell Dugan
August 16 – 19, 2010
Computer Lab
Teachers will complete short questionnaire / evaluation of presentation
4. Collect data from previous year discipline records.
Lanell Dugan
Sept. 6 – Oct. 29, 2010
Last years discipline records. Access to Chancery
Review with Asst. Principals
5. Conduct survey of teams to evaluate thoughts, concerns found during 1st 6 weeks.
Lanell Dugan
Oct. 5 – 8, 2010
Survey Monkey
Share survey results with Cat Committee and Principals.
6. Create list of top 10 ISS attendees from last year.
Lanell Dugan
Oct 5 – 8
Chancery, ISS spreadsheets
Asst. Prin over ISS placements.
7. Create a spreadsheet to gather data for my top 10.
Lanell Dugan
Oct 11 - 15
Data gathered earlier
Review list of names with Asst. Prin.
8. Revise spreadsheet/plan to address any concerns found in earlier survey.
Lanell Dugan, April Sarpy
Nov 1 – 5
Survey results computer
Discussion meeting with Committee
9. Evaluate use of on-line documentation, positive behavior points by teachers
Lanell Dugan, April Sarpy, Misti Knight
Jan. 4
Survey monkey
Use rubric to determine level of compliance and satisfaction
10. Continue to collect data regarding ISS placements, and office referrals
Lanell Dugan
Jan 4 – May 20
ISS records, Office referrals
Spreadsheet
11. Compare data from 2009 – 2010 with data for 2010 – 2011
Lanell Dugan
May 16 – 27
Access to discipline records
Analysis of data results
12. Compare results for top 10 identified earlier in year.
Lanell Dugan
May 16 – 27
Discipline records, on-line documentation
Analyze data prepare spreadsheet
13. Create end of year survey for teachers to determine their level of satisfaction Lanell Dugan
Misti Knight, April Sarpy
May 16 – 27
Survey Monkey
Prepare rubric and/or spreadsheet for analysis
14. Prepare report of action plan research
Lanell Dugan
May 31 – June 6
Completed rubrics and data gathered throughout the year Present to Site Supervisor for evaluation
Share with Cat Committee
Friday, July 23, 2010
Week 2 - Real Life Examples
This week we read about action research in action. The chapter was very helpful and I definitely have a better understanding of "wonderings." I have not had an opportunity to meet with my site supervisor but I have decided which of my three topics I want to research. I hope she agrees. I think I selected several topics that are relevant for our campus. I've listed the topics below and welcome any feedback. Does this blog seem an little redundant to anyone since we also discuss this on our Discussion Board? Just asking....
Topics of interest:
1. How does habitual tardiness affect students' academic performance? Is our tardy policy ineffective, on target, or just ignored by teachers and students?
2. How would implementing a school-wide online discipline documentation plan reduce office referrals and ISS placements?
3. Would block scheduling in the middle school increase student academic performance?
Topics of interest:
1. How does habitual tardiness affect students' academic performance? Is our tardy policy ineffective, on target, or just ignored by teachers and students?
2. How would implementing a school-wide online discipline documentation plan reduce office referrals and ISS placements?
3. Would block scheduling in the middle school increase student academic performance?
Friday, July 16, 2010
What is Action Research
Action research is a systematic way of collecting information and data. Harris, Edmonson, & Combs (2010), tells us that "Inquiry is examining data, asking questions, and requesting more information." It is based on logical reasoning. In education, it allows a more personal type of research. The administrator is posing questions, looking at the information, and reflecting on their findings. Through action research the administrator will be able to identify and reflect on specific areas of improvement at their school.
There are many benefits of action research. One that I particularly like is that it includes the people who work in the school on a daily basis and are invested in the school's progress. According to Dana (2009), the knowledge gained from action research is based on the reality of practice. As teachers become collaborators in the process they are more likely to understand the changes needed and to facilitate that change. Teachers can use this process with reflection to gain a better understanding of themselves and their teaching practices. Action research can be a powerful tool for school improvement.
Another way to look at action research is to consider a continual cycle. The first step would be to identify a practical problem that needs to be improved. Second, gather data and information to develop strategies and solutions to improve or resolve the problem. Third, the strategies would be implemented and evaluated to determine their effectiveness. This may complete the cycle, or it could identify additional problems or areas that need improvement. In that case, the cycle could begin again with new definitions of problems or improvement areas. Collecting as much information as possible from relevant sources allows for informed, logical decisions.
To Blog or Not to Blog
It really isn't a question anymore. We are teaching 21st Century learners. We need to be on-board and knowledgeable of Web 2.0 tools. There are many advantages to blogging. Teachers can use them to inform parents of their class projects, homework assignments, and achievements. It's a great way to share information and knowledge with others.
For an administrator, blogging can make them accessible. The administrator may spend 15 minutes creating a blog about school activities, explaining dress code guidelines, or discussing ideas for school improvement. Consider how many people have access to the blog. Teachers may not line up outside the door asking questions. Parents don't call the office asking the same questions all day long. It's a valuable tool when used correctly. It allows the sharing of information and ideas with parents, teachers, and students.
There are many benefits of action research. One that I particularly like is that it includes the people who work in the school on a daily basis and are invested in the school's progress. According to Dana (2009), the knowledge gained from action research is based on the reality of practice. As teachers become collaborators in the process they are more likely to understand the changes needed and to facilitate that change. Teachers can use this process with reflection to gain a better understanding of themselves and their teaching practices. Action research can be a powerful tool for school improvement.
Another way to look at action research is to consider a continual cycle. The first step would be to identify a practical problem that needs to be improved. Second, gather data and information to develop strategies and solutions to improve or resolve the problem. Third, the strategies would be implemented and evaluated to determine their effectiveness. This may complete the cycle, or it could identify additional problems or areas that need improvement. In that case, the cycle could begin again with new definitions of problems or improvement areas. Collecting as much information as possible from relevant sources allows for informed, logical decisions.
To Blog or Not to Blog
It really isn't a question anymore. We are teaching 21st Century learners. We need to be on-board and knowledgeable of Web 2.0 tools. There are many advantages to blogging. Teachers can use them to inform parents of their class projects, homework assignments, and achievements. It's a great way to share information and knowledge with others.
For an administrator, blogging can make them accessible. The administrator may spend 15 minutes creating a blog about school activities, explaining dress code guidelines, or discussing ideas for school improvement. Consider how many people have access to the blog. Teachers may not line up outside the door asking questions. Parents don't call the office asking the same questions all day long. It's a valuable tool when used correctly. It allows the sharing of information and ideas with parents, teachers, and students.
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