Action Research Plan

After days of trying to wrap my head around this action research, it finally clicked for me! Hallelujah! Here is my plan and I am even more excited to see its results. Please make comments and suggestions and I will return the favor (after some much needed rest!) ;)


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Action Research Plan
Goal:  “What can we do to close the achievement gap and improve our teaching methods towards our English language learners.” Objectives/Outcomes of Research: 1)    Provide teacher’s with the resources and training to accommodate ELLs 2)    Enhance teaching methods 3)    Increase vocabulary retention and deeper understanding of content in ELLs 4)    Close achievement gap
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Research Effective Teaching Methods and Strategies	Andrea Jones Site Supervisor	Mid March – Mid April	SIOP, Marzano, Whole Brain Teaching, ELL Literature (Collier & Thomas)	Research must meet the two standards below: 1. Methods researched meet the needs of our current demographics 2. Methods research based
Structure and Implement Monthly Trainings	Andrea Jones Site Supervisor ESL Coordinator Curriculum Coordinator	Mid April- May (Structure) May- October	Meeting Room, Interactive, Whiteboard, Computer, Training Materials	Provide monthly, possibly bi-monthly, trainings for teachers in vocabulary development and content understanding for ELLs that teachers can implement right away into classroom. After each training, provide opportunities for teachers to give feedback through surveys over training.
Monitor Implementation of strategies by teachers	Andrea Jones Site Supervisor Curriculum Coordinator	May- October	Observation journal	While teachers are receiving trainings, we will conduct bi-weekly walkthroughs to see if teachers are using methods
Collect Teacher Feedback	Andrea Jones Site Supervisor	May- November	Teacher Survey and Interviews	Conduct teacher interviews and give surveys to see if teachers felt new methods were easy to implement, if they felt they were valuable, and receive over all feedback
Data Assessment	Andrea Jones Site Supervisor Curriculum Coordinator	May- November -Collect Monthly Data, use CBA data	Eduphoria Classroom work Teacher feedback	Monitor feedback to see if trainings are improving test scores within the LEP sub group, discuss with teachers if they feel improvement has taken place in the classroom during lessons and class work
Follow-up	Andrea Jones Site Supervisor	December-January 2014	Eduphoria Teacher Interviews and Surveys	Continue monitoring data and discuss with teachers if they are still utilizing some of the strategies they learned about in trainings.
Results Sharing	Andrea Jones	January 2014	Blogger Campus Ning	Post results on blog and within campus communication so teachers can review results, track ELLs progress, read teacher feedback, and also discuss and share information with each other

Week 2 Reflection- Action Research Development

This week was exciting and frustrating all at the same time, picking the perfect action research topic. This week's readings was very informative and provided all the assistance needed. The text outlined nine specific areas to conduct an action research plan in. Simply stated as "Passions that Drive Your Journey." Each area contains its own special flame for different individuals. The plan I decided to go with went under the category of "Social Justice." I am wanting to create an action research plan that will analyze the effectiveness of teaching methods that closes the achievement gap and improves teaching methods towards English language learners. I am excited to see the development of my plan and the direction my research will take.

Blogging for Professional Development

        One way an educational leader could use a blog is to create an online professional learning community with staff. You might do a book study for professional development with your staff and use the blog to facilitate discussion of the book and implementation of key ideas. This way everyone is able to read and discuss the book on their own time.

Action Research Discoveries

Action research is one of the most comprehensive and informative ways to initiate and make change within a school. Often times implementing new programs or ideas in a school can be viewed as a quick fix or a way to make a school “look good.” However, implementing effective change is not that simple and should not be taken lightly. This is why action research is so important and beneficial. You are taking a problem and researching why it is there and the best method for improvement. 

During action research you are looking at the issue quantitatively, through data, and qualitatively through interviews and discussion with staff, parents, students etc. Only through this data analysis are you making a decision. Allowing you to view multiple facets of the issue and multiple ways to improve. This way you have a in depth look at the root of an issue and know that the program or idea you are implementing has the highest chance of success. This differs from traditional educational research in that before issues were looked at more linearly, along with only collecting qualitative data.

Action research does not stop here. It requires follow up and more data collection. Follow up ensures your plan is being implemented correctly and the results are as anticipated. Administrators must realize that this is an in depth process that yields results over time and requires commitment, effort, and data analysis. Follow up allows for proper reflection. It is to me one one the most crucial components of action research. Without proper reflection, you are never analyzing the effectiveness of your inquiry solution or how it could have been better. Reflection not only allows you to see areas that require improvement, but also areas that were effective.