Developing My Action Research Plan

School Culture

In what ways can our school develop a collaborative culture characterized by teachers from different grade levels communicating, understanding, and sharing expectations for all of our students? Teaching staff may not have a clear understanding of the expectations of students in consecutive grade levels. Cultivating a culture on campus where teachers can collaborate collectively about student progress and achievement is the goal.

Setting the Foundation – A learning organization has a common purpose and focus, a commitment to a clear vision, and collaboration on the issues regarding improvement. Collaboration represents a systematic process in which teachers, support staff, and administrators work interdependently in order to impact their classroom or school practice in ways that lead to better results for their students, team and school.

Analyzing Data – There will be three focused collections of data that include student assessment measures and scores, teacher interviews as well as administrative interviews, and a collection of student work and artifacts.

Developing Deeper Understanding – The instructional team will work as an effective professional learning community grounded by a culture of best practices.

Engaging in Self-Reflection – Some reflective questions to ask are: Do I possess the skills needed to conduct a successful action research project that reflects my selected solution? What are some ways to enhance the quality of my action research project? How will this action research project affect the teaching and leading at my school?

Exploring Programmatic Patterns – Ensuring all teaching staff and students get the resources they need to be successful.

Determining Direction – First the administrative staff will need to determine set priorities and standards of gathering information. Then the administrative staff will need to gather resources and accommodate for the teaching staff. As a whole, set an agenda for the school year on topics that will be discussed throughout the collaboration meetings, urgent and necessary issues.

Taking Action for School Improvement – Organizing committees or groups is vital; the enrichment team, specialists, etc. Monitoring improvement actions, do any of the activities need to be altered? Have any of the timelines, resources, or persons responsible changed?

Sustaining Improvement – Use of the CARE Model (concerns, affirmations, recommendations, and evaluation) will help examine and improve this project throughout the years.