Week 5 Post

  I feel that the blog I created will be beneficial throughout my program because I will be getting feedback from people in the same program that I am in. This is beneficial because it will be feedback that is based on what is expected to be done not based off of someone’s opinion about what they think should be done. I have received feedback from many different colleagues so far that has made me tweak my action research plan. This is beneficial because my project is becoming well rounded instead of being a little vague, which I feel is very important.

After this week's assignment I do not have any changes to make to my action research plan. The one thing I am considering implementing to my plan is after the surveys are completed to email everyone to make sure they do not need to make any changes to their answers. This would allow me to get valid and potentially in depth answers, so that I make the appropriate interpretations.

Goal of my Research:

To research if going from a block schedule (hour and a half classes) to a rotating schedule (fifty-five minute classes) will increase student achievement on the STAAR.

Supporting Questions for understanding:

·       What are the concerns or thoughts that staff members have about the switch in schedules?   Beginning of school

·       How has the switch in schedules helped/hurt you? End of first six weeks: staff/students

·       What do you like/dislike about the change? End of semester: staff/6^th grade students

End of Year Questions

·       What was the best attribute for you in the schedule change?

·       What was the worst attribute for you in the schedule change?

·       Based on the STAAR results did we see a positive, negative or no impact?

                                    Person(s)               Timeline:                Needed

   Action Steps         Responsible            Start/End              Resources                Evaluation

1) Survey staff on their concerns or thoughts about the switch in schedules.	·   Site Supervisor ·   Staff members ·   Roger McNeel	Start date: August 26th End date: September 3rd	· Online Survey created by Roger McNeel · Use of computer lab (potentially) · Staff members	Data will be collected and analyzed from the survey and included as part of the final project results.
2) Survey staff about how the switch in schedules have helped/hurt them as far as teaching their content?	·   Site Supervisor ·   Staff members ·   Roger McNeel	Start: End of first six weeks End: Second week of the second six weeks	· Online Survey created by Roger McNeel · Use of computer lab (potentially) · Staff members	Data will be collected and analyzed from the survey and included as part of the final project results.
3) Survey staff and student on what they like or dislike about the change?	·   Site Supervisor ·   Staff members ·   Students ·   Roger McNeel	Start: End of first semester End: two weeks into second semester	· Online Survey created by Roger McNeel · Use of computer lab (potentially) · Staff and students	Data will be collected and analyzed from the survey and included as part of the final project results.
4) Survey staff on what was the best attribute you gained from the schedule change?	·   Site Supervisor ·   Staff members ·   Roger McNeel	Start: May End: June	· Online Survey created by Roger McNeel · Use of computer lab (potentially) · Staff	Data will be collected and analyzed from the survey and included as part of the final project results.
5) Survey staff on what was the worst attribute you gained from the schedule change?	·   Site Supervisor ·   Staff members ·   Roger McNeel	Start: May End: June	· Online Survey created by Roger McNeel · Use of computer lab (potentially) · Staff	Data will be collected and analyzed from the survey and included as part of the final project results.
6) Based on the STAAR results did the change have a positive, negative or no impact?	·   Site Supervisor ·   Assistant Principals ·   Roger McNeel	Start: June End: June	· STAAR results from this year and last year	Data will be analyzed from the results and included as part of the final project results.
7) Analyze and self-reflect on the data from last years STAAR test.	·   Roger McNeel	Start: September and this will be an ongoing process.	· Time to analyze last year’s data. · Time to reflect on my findings and adjust my project accordingly.	I will keep a journal of my reflections and will provide a copy of that with my final project.
8) Review research done by others over the same topic and analyze their outcomes.	·   Roger McNeel ·   Campus Administrators	This will be an ongoing process throughout my project, so that I can compare my findings with theirs.	· Online searches for information on my topic. · Consulting with the administrators on my campus to see if they have researched this topic.	A copy of my journal notes will be included with my final research project.
9) Meet with the administration that was in charge of reviewing and changing our schedule.	·   Roger McNeel ·   All administration involved with the process	This is a meeting that will have to be set up at a time that is beneficial for everyone involved so it could be as late as mid spring.	· Copies of data used to help make this determination · Time to share my research project with everyone	I will keep a journal of notes at the meeting and provide a copy of the notes with my final project.

This week I have realized that there can be be an action research done over any aspect of the school. I guess I did not reflect as much as I should have in week one about action research because I feel as though I should have realized that last week. My action research topic is “Will going from a blocked schedule to a bell schedule increase student achievement? Will implementing ERI (enrichment) classes increase student achievement?”. I am actually looking forward to finishing this action research because it has the potential to affect me in many ways.

Educational leaders could use blogs to collaborate with teachers without having to be face to face to collaborate effectively. This would definitely be a good tool to use during the summer because many situations or circumstances arise, which makes face to face meetings nearly impossible. This would also be an effective way to communicate with parents who do not have the opportunity to voice their opinions or suggestions in person.

Action research is a process in where questions are formed, data is collected, and sources are used to aide in the process of change. The processes involved in this type of research requires the input of stakeholders, collaboration, and self-reflection are key to help gain insight and deeper understanding of problems and their solutions. Results may answer the first question but the results usually lead to many more questions. This is why it is important to help make sure the research has depth and is carried out fully. I realized why Dr. Abshire said in the web conference that the action research could not just be a yes or no question.

 

I have been doing action research since I started teaching, because I adapt my teaching based off the data and collaboration with my students and teachers. I constantly reflect on my lessons and look at the possibility of changing it for the next or for the next year. The readings from this week made me realize why reflecting is so important if you want to meet the needs of every student.