Here's the Plan

Action Research Study Plan:
Effectiveness of Staff Development on Student Achievement
By: Lamar Schrei

1. Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation
The purpose of my action research study is to determine the impact of staff development trainings on student achievement. This is a significant action research study because it would help administrators to decide if these trainings are actually impacting student achievement and worth the cost to continue such trainings in the future. While administrators would benefit from this study, the main benefactor would be the students. Better trained teachers equals higher achievement for students.
2. Activities designed to achieve the objectives
Survey teachers after each staff development training to determine the perceived relevance of the training to daily classroom activities.
Survey students to determine if training techniques and strategies are being implemented in the classroom regularly
Interview teachers periodically throughout the school year to determine the level of training techniques and strategies that are being used in the classroom on a regular basis
Survey teachers periodically throughout the school year to determine the practical application of training related techniques and strategies as well as perceived effectiveness on increasing student achievement.
3. Resources and research tools needed for data gathering
survey monkey- to create surveys and distribute and collect data in a efficient manner

4. Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities
Aug. 16th -19th: Survey staff after each day's training and compile data. Select staff members to participate in focus group
Aug. 20th: Meet with focus group to discuss the weeks trainings and perceived effectiveness. Discuss results from surveys
Sept. 6th: Survey staff to determine level of techniques/strategies used during first 2 weeks of school
Oct. 4th: Survey staff/students to determine level of techniques/strategies used during first 6 weeks of school.
Oct. 11th : Set up interviews with staff members.
Nov. 15th: Survey staff/students to determine level of techniques/strategies used during second 6 weeks of school.
Dec. 6th: Set up interviews with staff members.
Jan. 18th: Survey staff/students to determine level of techniques/strategies used during the first semester of school.
Jan. 24th: Meet with focus group to discuss the weeks trainings and perceived effectiveness. Discuss results from surveys
Feb. 28th: Survey staff/students to determine level of techniques/strategies used during fourth 6 weeks of school.
March 7th: Set up interviews with staff members. April 18th: Survey staff/students to determine level of techniques/strategies used during fifth 6 weeks of school.
May 2nd: Look at TAKS scores for Exit level and compare to previous 2 school years. Meet with Leadership Team to discuss results.
May 23rd : Survey staff/students to determine level of techniques/strategies used during second semester of school.
May 30th: Compile data and meet with focus group to discuss the weeks trainings and perceived effectiveness. Discuss results from surveys.
May 3rd: Engage in self reflection, analyze data, summarize findings, and conclude action research study.
June 6th: Meet with Campus Leadership Team to present results and suggest future staff development trainings.
5. Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan
This action research study will mainly be implemented by Lamar Schrei with support from the campus leadership team.
6. Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives
The goals and objectives for this action research study will be monitored by period surveys that are sent out to students and staff. The main goal will be completed once 2010-2011 TAKS results are released to the school.
7. Assessment instrument(s) to evaluate the effectiveness of the action research study
To asses the effectiveness of the action research study the results will be presented to the Campus Leadership Team and they will determine if further action is necessary and evaluate the findings.

Using Blogs for Educational Leaders

There are several different ways that educational leaders may use blogs. Blogs can be used as a collaboration forum, feedback tool, discussion board, update staff on important information, tool for staff development. There is no limit to the things that can be accomplished using blogs.
WARNING: Be sure to check with the technical support at your campus to be sure that the blog you are suing is not blocked by the firewall!

Important things about Action Research

Action research is the systematic process for examining one's own practices and then taking action based on the results of the inquiry. So in practice this would be a self examination of how you dealt with the day's, week's, or maybe even the month's events. Take a deep look at what happened, how you handled it, how you could handle it differently, how your actions impacted the school, etc... Once you have thought about all these things, then take a look at what you can do in the future to have a better outcome. What action needs to be taken by you, your staff, students, or others to make the events or situation better for the school and/or community as a whole. Action research differs from traditional educational research because it requires those involved to engage in reflective action. Action research makes the practitioner the storyteller, unlike traditional research where the practitioner is merely the technician or a character in the story. This process is cyclical in stead of linear or discursive. Also, action research places the researcher as an insider instead of an outsider like traditional research methods. Action research is focused on providing insight to the administrator's own practices instead of focusing on control, predictions, impacts, or explaining a process or phenomenon. There are several benefits of conducting action research besides just providing a meaningful way for the administrator to grow professionally. The first benefit is that action research will change the school's norm of isolation. Action research will force teachers as well as administrators out of isolation and into collaborative groups. Another benefit is that principals become role models for both teachers and students. A third benefit is that action research helps best practices to flourish with in a school. A final benefit of this type of inquiry is that it slows down the harried pace of the work place. All the benefits have a huge impact on the culture of the school and will help to improve the overall school culture. I believe that action research is a key tool to implementing change in schools nad improving school culture and climate.