Personal Lessons in Action Research

As a result of this first week in EDLD 5301, I have learned that action research  is a valuable tool for school improvement. Action research provides administrators with an opportunity to systematically research an issue facing their campus. Administrators choose an issue, read literature on the issue, conduct surveys and interviews, and perform self-reflection. The administrator can develop leadership teams or Professional Learning Communities to collaborate on the issue. The administrator and his or her team can come up with a plan to implement changes focused on that issue. However, the research plan does not stop with the plan of action. The administrator must reflect on the changes to determine the effectiveness and must make needed revisions. This ability to constantly reflect and revise is the reason action research proves to be so successful in school improvement.

I have also learned the difference between systematic action research and problem-solving on the fly. In Leading With Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as an Action Rearcher, Nany Fitchman Dana cites the work of Hargreaves and Fullan, in which they refer to some principals as “projectites” moving from one uncompleted task to the next. Without action research and the self-reflection it entails, I can see how many principals can fall into this pattern of dealing with unresolved issues repeatedly. By using action research, as a proactive approach to problem solving, a principal can be much more effective on a daily basis.

I will be able to use action research to study the ways in which a campus-wide Positive Behavior Initiative Plan can decrease behavior problems and increase student achievement.  I would like to revise the current stagnated plan on our campus. I can use action research to determine improvements that can be made to the plan to increase the effectiveness in decreasing behavior problems. I can survey staff members and students, reflect on reasons the current plan failed, and read literature on effective Positive Behavior Plans.

As an administrator I would encourage my staff to utilize action research as a most valuable staff development tool. I would have them self-reflect on areas in which they could improve in their classrooms. They can survey students, read literature on their chosen topic, and interview their peers in development of their research. By participating in action research myself, I will serve as an example to the staff. Hopefully they will see the value in action research in school improvement.