WEEK 4 REFLECTION

This week I learned that I can learn a lot from other people's inquiries.  Not only can I use some of their ideas in my school translating them to work on issues we are facing but I can use their ideas to facilitate mine.  I also learned about group techniques and how to minimize a discussion hog or to get the best solution rater tan the most popular.  I have had so much support and interest in my project at my school from people wanting to know how it turns out.

Week 3 Reflections

I was stuck at first.  Then as I began to read on and work with my plan I relized that this is similar to the Scientific Method that I teach my kids.  It then became pretty simple ( I hope it is as simple as I made it).  I think I am going to like this project because it gets me involved with 2 committees and communicating with the principal on the direction of the school.  I hope I still think this way after week 5.      

Action Research Plan

Background

            The first six weeks of the 2010 school year had the lowest Average Daily Attendance (ADA ) in some time.  This has become an issue of concern for the Site Based Committee, Attendance Committee, and the school administration specifically the High School Principal.  The Site Based Committee instituted a Attendance Award drawing at the end of each 6 weeks period.  The prizes range from one or two big prizes to several small prizes.  The principal saw an opportunity for an action research investigating the effectiveness of this program.

Question\Statement 

            Determine the effectiveness of use the Attendance Award Drawing implemented by the Site Based Committee which was implemented to address the recent student attendance concern at the high school.

Goals / Objectives

            1.  To determine the effectiveness of the Attendance Award Drawing on                   student attendance

            2.  To ensue the cost effectiveness of the program     

            3.  To advise changes to the program based on findings

Actions/Activities

            1.  Monitor student attendance data over the course of the year

                        Time line:

                                    November 2010 - June 2011

                                    Each six weeks following the previous 6 weeks drawing

                       

            2.  Meet with:

                        1.  Site Based Committee

                        Time line:

                                    November 2010 - June 2011

                                    Regular scheduled meetings

                        2.  Attendance Committee

                        Time line:

                                    November 2010 - June 2011

                                    Regular scheduled meetings

                        3.  Principal

                        Time line:

                                    November 2010 - June 2011

                                    Though out  the duration of the action plan

            3.  Survey Students

                        1.  Winners

                        2.  Student body

                        Time line:

                                    February 2011

Resources needed

            ADA for each 6 weeks

            Prizes awarded for each 6 weeks

            List of winners

            Survey for students

Time line

            November 2010 - June 2011

            *See activities section

Persons responsible

            Cody Gore

                        Assisted by:

                        Josie Hastings

                        Site Based Committee

                        Attendance Committee

                        Principal - Matt Garner

                        Counselor - Pam Garner

                        Special Ed Coordinator - Cara Dudley

                        Curriculum Director - Jerod Neff

Process for Monitoring the Achievement of the Goals/Objectives

            AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE for each 6 weeks

            Student survey results 

Assessment Instruments to Evaluate Effectiveness

            ADA vs 1st 6 weeks Baseline

            The prizes given for each term as well as the previous term.

Analyzing Data

            There will be several data gathering strategies used during the duration of this             project that include but are not limited to:

                        Quantitative Measures

                                    Attendance patterns will be analyzed based on ADA from each 6 weeks comparing to the 1st six weeks baseline.

                        Field Notes

                                    Notes will be made as the project goes from any other the activities or meetings.

                        Interviews

                                    Interviews may be conducted with the winners of the drawings as well as other students.  The principal will be interviewed extensively thought the plan. 

                        Documents

                                    Documents can include the ADA reports, discipline referrals for absences, and notes from any meetings.

                        Pictures

                                    Pictures may be taken of the prizes and the winners with the prizes.

                        Reflections

                                    Reflections may be blogged or written as well as collaboratively in committee meetings.

                        Surveys

                                    Students may be surveyed.  The surveys may be split into winners and the general population results.

                        Literature reviews

                                    Literature will be reviewed based on extrinsic rewards for students.  There may be some correlation between this study and one done previously.

Developing a Deeper Understanding

            The data secured will be used in committee meetings as well as meetings with the principal to get thoughts and collaborative revisions to the plan and the attendance   project itself.

Engaging in Self Reflection

            Personal reflection will take place.  Written reflections will be used frequently as well as web bloggs.

Exploring Problematic Patterns

            The use of each 6 weeks ADA will be plotted verses the baseline of the 1st 6 weeks.  The effectiveness will also consider the prized of the term and the   previous term.  The use of collaborative information for committees and conclusions from principal meetings will be used to effectively monitor progress.

Determining Direction

            The direction/objective seems to be clear and all resources adequately secured.  This project has already become a collaborative issue with 2 committees and the administration on board.  The timeline is adequate to the focus, resources, and the nature of the problem.  The plan to monitor and assess the success seems to be reasonable.  The plan will be revised periodically as needed through reflection and collaborative decision making.

Sustained Improvements

            The ideas generated for this inquiry will be used primarily to make the program more effective.  If there is some aspect of this project that can be transferred to other areas of interest then the inquiry has had a positive outcome.

           

Week 2 Reflection

Week Two was an enlightening week.  I have learned a lot about the use of action research and how it can be very effective to me as an administrator in a school setting.  I learned that although the research must be data driven one can use qualitative data to enhance or explain quantitative data.  This research must also be useful and relevant to some aspect of the school setting.  There must also be a beneficiary of this research for it to be worth the effort.  The research would be best served in an area of interest. This allows for more focused research because the outcome is important.  Doing research on something that is interesting to the researcher also enhances the commitment to the research as a study.  Upon studying the topics for research in school settings I found myself focusing on how I could help my teachers and my students because they should be the focus in the school setting.   At first I was having trouble while selecting my topic from my three choices.  I talked to other administrators and persons involved in the areas of my research.  The choice became very clear when factoring in importance, relevance, and beneficiaries of the topics.

How Can an Educational Leader Use Blogs

     Educational leaders can use blogs to express thoughts or feelings based on reflections.  Sometimes putting things into words is a great way to reflect.  Blogging also allows one to read others thoughts and feelings and  reflect on those base on personal situations or feelings.  Working with a blog also creates an easy reference that later could aid in ones long term reflection or act as a resource when dealing with an issue.

What I Have Learned About Action Research

            Action research is a way that I as an educator or administrator can become more comfortable with the day to day task that might arise in the school or educational setting.  Not only can I learn from reading or viewing research done by someone else on a particular topic, I can draw on my own experiences or past actions to take actions or make decisions.  Action research uses reflection that can help the mental health of an educator in many ways.  It allows one to relax at some point during the crazy life that is the daily schedule of an administrator.  Reflection also give you the chance to sit back and think about your actions or the situation at hand.  By doing this, you can clearly look at things with out being clouded by the activities surrounding the situation.  Things may seem less complicated this way.  If a issue requires more thought, the one can look beyond their own experiences and learn from someone who has had a similar experience and make parallels or correlations that may help in their unique situation.  Action research also takes the control and gives it back to the administrator.  I can make policy changes or routine adaptations with my situation in mind.  This is in opposition to the traditional model in which ideas were generated by scholarly research by someone who has never been in my school, met me, or my staff.