Week 4 Reflection

This week I learned several ways to sustain my improvment.  I think that all three methods will be useful to me for this project and future endeavors.  During my analysis using the CARE model I was able to recognize areas I need to improve for my research and areas that are beneficial.  By identifying these areas it helped with my research but it also helped me realize that when I am an administrator if my school does not already have these items in place then it would benefit me to start these programs.  I really appreciated all of the feedback from my colleagues, classmates and site supervisor.  I was able to further develop my research and make it more realistic.

Action Research Plan

SCHOOL VISION:

The faculty, staff, and community of ____ ____ High School are committed to providing all students educational opportunities and skills to promote academic achievement and responsible citizenship in a safe and nurturing environment dedicated to the promotion of life-long learning.
 
GOAL: 

• To provide quantitative data to the stakeholders that proves that fine arts is more than an extra curricular course and is beneficial to student learning.
• To provide quantitative data to the stakeholders that shows that students who are involved in fine arts programs provide less distractions through discipline problems and the overall academic success of students than those not involved.
• To address the benefits and purpose of a successful fine arts program to the stakeholders by educating them on the ways fine arts programs can be used as an addition to the core curriculum to further students’ education.
• To provide the necessary tools to the district in order to justify building the fine arts programs through funding and support.

PLAN:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AlD0ZR_QLQOwdC1uOWJoNjdmdkhIdUZVSDdvSzZfWGc&single=true&gid=0&output=html

REFLECTION:
During the process of developing my action research plan I was able to refine my ideas for researching the inquiry.  This also helped me decide on actions to be taken for the future improvement for my school.

Week 2 Reflection:

During this weeks assignment I found it very inspiring to listen to administrators from other districts discuss their ideas on action research.  I learned that I do not have to start all over every time I observe a problem I can research and review others’ ideas on the topic and use their work in guiding my own improvements.  By watching Dr. Chargois I learned that it will be important for me as an administrator to be data trained so that I can pass that information onto my staff.  Through reading about the nine passions identified in the Dana text I was able to look to my own campus to gain more information on action research actually taking place in an educational setting.  I have found that I am really gaining knowledge by getting out of my classroom and observing my administrators working as well as asking them for advice and inquiring what they do on a daily basis.  My action research topic is my inquiry into the correlation between student success and their involvement in a fine arts program.  I am interested to review the findings and be able to help students and parents make decisions about their future education.  

Analysis of how educational leaders might use blogs.

Educational leaders can use blogs as a way to reflect on their current practices and assess any problems or areas for further inquiry.  Blogs are useful in sharing information with others and in turn reading what others have to say about problems occurring in their schools.  By reading other’s interpretations of problems and solutions it gives the leader more insight into how to better address any concerns. 

A description of what I learned about action research and how I might use it.

Action research is a process for administrators to systematically inquire about their own educational practice and to make changes for improvement based on the inquiries (Dana, 2009, p.2).  By collecting and analyzing data that includes relevant readings and reflecting on my own practices (Dana, 2009, p.2), I will be able to develop solutions to problems occurring that hinder student achievement and aid in preventing future issues.  Examining current practices and success rates will help me identify the positive aspects of any department as well as the negative and possibly harmful aspects.  I will be able to make the changes necessary to have a more successful school learning environment.   Once an improvement has been made then I will start the process all over again as action research should be ongoing inquiries.  I will be able to lead the professional learning communities of teachers through their own action research, which will aid in their professional growth and further benefit the students by “strengthening teachers’ self-confidence and self-efficacy” (Ringler, 2007).  Action research will aid me in my professional growth so that I will gain confidence as a leader and will guide me on my way to becoming an expert leader.   Self-reflection is a great tool for leaders; however, by using action research you will be able to share with others your experiences as well as benefit from their involvement with the inquiry (Martin, Wright, Danzig, Flanary, and Brown, 2005, p.105).  Some issues that could be researched and analyzed using the action research process are student success rates, correlations between extracurricular activities and success/failure, teacher motivation, and the need for technology development.