Action Research Update

For my action steps I have started to collect and analyze data.  I have received some data from teachers. This includes student referrals and teacher observations.   The student’s referrals that deal with classroom behavioral issues are the ones that I concentrated on.  I have been able to enlist several teachers and one of our administrators to help with the Action Research project.   I have begun to compare the data that deal with the discipline issues.  After receiving feedback I have decided to take my action research in a different direction.  Although, my action research plan deal with discipline issues thorough out all grade levels while increasing positive behavior I found that it would be more realistic to change my wondering to “What percent of discipline issues are referred to ISS (In School Suspension) throughout each grade level?” and “What percent are repeats?” and What percent are non-repeaters due to positive behavior?”  I have started to collect data and work with the teachers and students to get clear picture of what is going on with my action research. I have started to put together some data projects that would track the comings and goings of students that had been referred to ISS.  The teachers that I am working with forward their information to me via email. I also, receive data from the ISSS office.  I am still using most of my research strategies needed to implement positive student behavior. I meet with my campus supervisor to run ideas by him and to ensure that I am on point with my research.  

Action Plan Template

Tools 7.1 Action Planning Template
Goal: What percent of discipline issues are referred to ISS (In School Suspension) through out each grade level and What percent are repeats?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Decrease discipline while increasing good behavior throughout all grade levels.	Jeffery Duffey, 3 Selected classroom teachers	8/2013 – 5/2014	Discipline referrals, students, tracking data	Teacher observations, ISS Supervisor feedback, teacher feedback and administration feedback.
2. Record, collect and analyze data: teacher observations, student referrals, tracking data.	Jeffery Duffey, 3 Selected classroom teachers	10/2013 – 3/2014	Student referrals, Teacher feedback, Administration feedback, ISS supervisor data	Evaluate and analyze all collected data, teacher observations, referrals, and feedback.
3. Analyze the behavioral referrals and other classroom low performing classroom scores.	Jeffery Duffey, 3 Selected teachers, 2 administrators	10/2013 – 3/2014	Time, referrals, students’ questionnaire, teacher observation.	Comparison data of referrals, students’ questionnaire, sample work and low scores.
4. Research strategies needed to implement positive student behavior, feedback and evaluate teacher’s knowledge of their student negative behavior patterns.Perform final evaluations and findings and share findings.	Jeffery Duffey Samuel Blocklyn Mr. Weaver Mr. Shepard	3/2013 – 5/2014	Data collections, feedback sheets, reflections on previous research studies.	Compare all strategies with data analysis and observations. Make Changes if necessary. Find out what was effective and if the action research was effective.

Week 2 Assignment Reflection

All of the scholars had a wealth of knowledge and spoke not only with their minds but also with their hearts. They are devoted to not only developing the student but the teacher as well. They have opened my eyes in more ways than one and I do feel that I have taken away valuable lessons from this week’s assignment. I learned that if I am going to go to my principal with a problem I must have the research data to show what the problem is. It is also important to know how the action research I want to conduct will improve the students. It truly is important to become better at my job and to be able to reach a higher quantity of kids.  To do these things I must develop myself first. I must become a better teacher, researcher, developer and scholar.  

Blogs

Action research is sharing the findings of one’s work. Educators have very busy and jam packed days, having an easy-to-use  feedback tool would be very beneficial to any educator. Blogs ideally fill this need. Principals can use blogs to communicate school and professional information, while also keeping their colleagues informed. Blogs can be used to clarify and accurately express the action research process, and through the feedback provided by discussion postings to the blog, new questions or unanticipated solutions may arise.

Action Research

During the first week of this Research course, I have learned to identify several key factors that differentiate action research from research in general. Action research can be best characterized as practitioner inquiry; unlike traditional academic research performed by outsiders to the subject or scenario, action research is performed by insiders, educators and administrators who are themselves. Traditional research in contrast is generally more scientific in nature, conducted by researchers (“outsiders” to the school) in a controlled and objective setting.

Action research is also different from traditional research in that it answers a relevant and pressing question or need in the administrator’s specific school or setting, whereas scholarly research, while it may answer a question, it is more broad in nature .There are numerous benefits to conducting action research.  Action research allows an educator to examine their students learning and how it is connected to their own teaching.  This practice allows a teacher to reflect on their teaching methods/lessons and differentiate so that improvements can be made.  Improving the teacher can improve the student.  


Action research provides meaningful ownership to my learning.  It allows me to engage in a learning process that will best aid me in my teaching profession.  I have already thought of ways that action research could benefit my school. Attendance is a problem at my school and I feel we have a poor way of recognizing students for attending school.I feel that if we research and revamp or attendance program more students would have a better attendance. Reaching out to the parents would also be very important so that they become more aware of the importance of attendance on their child's education.