Action Research Plan

Danielle Tomas’ Action Research Plan Template Will building relationships with someone that is not a family member or their teacher in an after school program have enough of a positive impact to affect students with behavior issues as well as academics? Action Research Plan Goal: I will organize a group of students with behavior issues that teachers feel will benefit from positive adult reinforcement.  I will show the relationship affects the behavior. Action Step(s): Person(s) Responsible: Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation Discuss action research topics with site supervisor. Danielle Toma & Vanessa Stuart (Vice Principal) February 2012 Intern plan, Brainstorming list of topics Assessed topics and action research questions Decide on action research topic Danielle Toma Vanessa Stuart March 2012 List of topics Assessment of which research topic would be the most beneficial from the principal Establish Criteria for students to be in club. Danielle Toma Vanessa Stuart (Vice Principal) Sherry Betts (Principal) May 2012 Action Research Plan, Program Layout Feedback from teachers and administrators Research similar programs and performance outcomes in other surrounding districts Danielle Toma May-June 2012 Professional Websites, Communication with teachers in other districts Findings from websites, professional journals, articles Establish goals of the club Danielle Toma Vanessa Stuart Sherry Betts July 2012 Campus goals Acquire a list of students to participate in the study Danielle Toma Vanessa Stuart May 2012- September 2012 Office Referral List Talk with teachers of students Danielle Toma September 2012 Select teachers questionaire results Get permission from parents Danielle Toma September 2012 Survey/questionnaire of parents and permission slips interview results Implement school program Danielle Toma September 2012  schedule of  activities Notes and  observations Observe and evaluate performance in the classroom Danielle Toma, selected teachers September –November 2012 Performance in classroom/behavior chart Test scores, daily grades, behavior reports, office referrals Post Interview with teachers Danielle Toma, selected teachers November 2012 Survey survey results Reflect and Evaluate the program; the interviews of the teachers; make changes as needed Danielle Toma December 2012 Data collected, interviews and surveys Students’ progress Create report and disseminate information Danielle Toma Danielle 2012 All data collected, internet, computer Written report and recommendation Implement plan of action Danielle Toma Vanessa Stuart December 2012- Ongoing Participants, Action plan Based on student performance and results, continue with program or revamp and continue searching for solutions Format from Tool 7.1: Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, Julie Combs, 2010.

thoughts on action research

What I have learned about action research:

When I first heard I was going to be taking an action research course, honestly, my stomach cringed at the thought.  Flashbacks of countless hours in the library studying, researching and writing a paper which in the end was just something I put down to pass the course.  However, as I've learned, Action research is a process in which administrators and teachers examine their own practices, evaluate the changes that need to be made and reflect on the progress.  It asks the question "how can we do things better", which as a professional is something I ask myself after almost every lesson.

It forces open-ended questions that are concise, meaningful, and do not generally have a specific answer.  This requires administrators and teachers to search for solutions for improvement, possible changes that should be made, and think on a higher level.  Action research encourages communication and input from those who are directly involved as well as the analysis and solutions from such input.  Reflection must be incorporated as a vital part of action research in order for administrators and colleagues to continue to improve. 

Action research differs from traditional research, but if implemented correctly, it can provide endless results for improvement and success.  

So I'm going to put away the pink bottle for my stomach.  I'm going to enjoy my action research course and what it can teach me!