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.
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