Action Research Topic

This week we continued to learn about the process of action research.  Namely we discussed how to develop a research question from a wondering.  This helped me to narrow down my topic for my action research project.  I will be at a new school in the fall, so things can always change/be adjusted, but here is what I have so far….

Action Research Topic/Question:

To what degree can the use of quantitative assessment data collection and analysis to guide instruction increase Biology EOC scores?

Explanation:

This action research project will focus on the use of assessment data collection and analysis to guide instruction.  With the implementation of the EOC last school year, my previous school utilized assessment data collection and analysis and we saw great success on the Biology EOC.  With this being the second year of the EOC implementation, I feel we have more knowledge of the test and with the use of data collection and analysis, the scores at my new school (although not bad) can be improved.  I plan on working with my department team to implement the use of assessment data collection and analysis.  We will utilize this data for a variety of purposes including:  1) determine which TEKS/concepts our students are struggling with, 2) identify individual students who are struggling to provide early intervention, 3) implementation of interventions such as review days to spiral back to previous concepts and 4) guide review days prior to the EOCs.  It is my goal that these practices improve EOC scores and the practice of assessment data collection and analysis to guide instruction will be a campus wide practice in the future. 

Action Research - What I Have Learned So Far...

As I begin my study of Action Research, I feel it is important to stop and reflect upon what I have learned so far.  For a brief definition, Dana (2009) tells us that action research is a process which is “intended to bring about change” (p. 6).  In my own words, action research, or action inquiry, provides a framework for educators to reflect upon their own practice, ask a question, design a study, collect and analyze data and reflect on the results.  The goal is to have an evidence based change to implement which fixes the problem or issue which prompted the original question.  What I have found most interesting about action research is that it is performed from the inside.  In the action research process, educational leaders pose a question that is directly affecting their students at their campus.  This allows the research and the outcome to be detailed and focused to a particular population.  The engagement at the campus level also helps to ensure that the change resulting from the research outcome will be implemented with little to no resistance from faculty and staff (Dana, 2009, p. 5).  I hope to implement the action research process during my educational administration internship.  For my action research project, I plan to focus on the use of data collection and analysis to drive instructional alignment and instructional practices for increased achievement on state assessments. 

Blog use for Educational Leaders

Blogs can serve as an excellent tool for educational leaders.  Blogs provide avenues for principals, teachers and other educational leaders to collaborate even though they might be hundreds of miles apart.  Leaders can also post about the progress and results of their action research projects to allow others to implement the findings if they are experiencing similar issues and/or problems.  Blogs also provide a means to post instructional and curriculum documents that can be shared with others.  In addition, educators can collaborate and discuss the latest instructional strategies they are finding successful in their classrooms or at their campus.