So Many Opportunities

After completing this week's assignment regarding action research topics, I realized that there are many opportunities for utilizing action research on my own campus. So many in fact, it almost seems overwhelming. It was challenging to decide on one specific topic in which to engage in the action research process. Ultimately, I chose the one in which I was the most passionate about, the one that would address the most issues stated in the campus improvement plan, and hopefully, the one that would have the most beneficial impact on my students. I am looking forward to move past the introduction stage to the action research process and actually begin conducting the research on school/family/community partnerships. I know that the family/school/community partnership action research process will be challenging, time consuming but most of all enlightening and that fuels my flame for learning. I am also excited about the opportunity to share the action research process with other teachers and administrators on my campus and in my district so that we can all benefit from the process.

Blogging for Educational Benefits

Blogging has opened up the door for collaboration for students, teachers and administrators alike. With the use of blogging, professional development opportunities know no boundaries. Professional Learning Communities can discuss relevant articles, campus policies, study reflective learning and teaching strategies, and share practices that are working without taking time out of the workday to meet.

Blogging will also increase the benefits of action research. Principals will be able to share their finding from their research with other principals from various geographic locations. This will allow principals to learn from each other without leaving their campus or district. Blogging also has the potential to decrease the feeling of isolation among principals because they will be able to share their practices, frustrations and finding so as to benefit others.

Action Research: What is it?

Action research is a cyclical process that focuses on providing insight into an administrator’s own practice in an effort to make change and improve their school. Therefore, action research places the burden on the individual involved in the research to clarify and diagnose a practical situation or problem on their campus that needs to be improved or resolved. This causes the principal, administrator or educational leaders to play an integral role in the research process by collecting and interpreting data to formulate the action strategies to address the necessary changes. In addition, action research forces those involved to take ownership of what is occurring on their campus and the practices and processes that need to be adjusted. No longer are the campus leaders disseminating data and programs that "outsiders" have told them but rather they are making decisions for their campus based on their campus data.

I am looking forward to utilizing action research to discover why there is a lack of parental/family involvement at the high school level. Research shows that positive parent/family/community/school partnerships increase student achievement. If this is the case, then why are these relationships lacking at high school? What are the barriers that keep these individuals from volunteering and participating in school activities? How do the teachers feel towards these partnerships? Why is the high school administration not reaching out to the families and the community to create and nourish these partnerships? The high school students of today and the future desperately need every opportunity to be successful both in and out of the classroom. As administrators, it is our responsibility to facilitate these opportunities for their success.