EDLD 5326 Reflection: School and Community Relations

In the initial phases of this course, School and Community Relations, I was very excited because it directly related to my action research plan.  Since I needed to learn more about how to involve parents with the school, it really opened my eyes to some federal mandates that our Title 1 school needed to address.  This course has really assisted in me in developing and collecting data for our little rural school and opened my eyes to some underlying issues that we have at hand.  After researching some of our data, I used it to create a program that could be implemented at our school to address the areas of low mathematical achievement.

The program I developed is called MAP, Mathematical Achievement Partnership.  This program's presentation can be viewed at: MAP for Success: Mathematics Achievement Partnership

Please feel free to take a look at the presentation and don't hesitate to tell me what you think!

The main impact that I have received from this class on my Action Research Plan was the ability to gather data, looking at federal mandates, and learning some strategies and mindsets to assist in building the parent/teacher/student community.

A Time for Reflection...

Write a reflection describing the highlights of this course.  It sounds simple enough and I could rattle on about how I was not comfortable about using a blog because I never had, or how I learned the steps to an action research plan, or even approach the idea that I have learned about my topic that I have chosen to make my research plan out of.  After pondering many of these ideas, I would simply like to reflect upon three main ideas that I feel stand out above the rest: what exactly is “action research,” how do I select something for an action research plan, and self-reflection.

To be completely honest, I was not excited about this class.  Any class that involves the word “research” makes me think of a lot of extra work that I do not have time for.  Fortunately, I attempt to start every new quest with an open mind and I am glad that I did.  From the first assigned reading of the Dana text pp 1-15, I realized the role of action researcher was not to be like a scientist, but rather a self-motivated learner who wanted to know if his/her actions were being successful or how to assess issues that may be happening at the school.  Once my mind grasped this concept, things started looking up for me in the class.  Action research was just that.  An inquiry that is to be studied to determine an ACTION.  Novel idea, I realize, that the definition is within the title, however, like many educators, I was over analyzing the situation.  Or I feel like I was until I learned exactly what the main concept is behind this type of research.  Needless to say, my mind became more at ease after week one. 

However, I was still apprehensive because of the idea that I had to have my own research plan and I had no idea what I WANTED to research.  There were many ideas that I COULD research, but nothing that engaged me.  After meeting with my site supervisors several times, blog comments, and discussion board writings, I finally narrowed down a few choices that interested me.  The next major concept that I really feel like I learned was how to analyze my options as to what would be the most beneficial to the school for student achievement. Through the constant review questions and supervisor interviews we needed to ponder and reflect upon, my inquiry got continuously refined and directed to something that I was not only interested in, but also felt was a benefit to my school.

So, through actually learning what the research plan was and what my role was supposed to be, this class developed into something I started to find useful.  While continuing on the journey of action research, I also learned a lot about myself.  One of the major concepts behind action research for the principal is self-reflection and making time for it (Dana, 2009).  I not only agree with this, but also believe it should be a major concept of any teacher.  Self-reflection is a difficult concept to grasp because you have to look within yourself.  So many times, people are to one extreme.  Either they completely ignore their actions and how they affect others, or they dwell on every single thing they do and still do not see their affects.  Self-reflection is a great way to keep anyone on target with their daily activities and I appreciate the opportunity through readings, discussions, and class assignments to have had the opportunity to build this skill.

Overall, the three most important things that I have learned set the foundation for my research plan to move forward.  All of the assignments, readings, colleague engagement, interviews, discussions, and blogs were useful and necessary for these to be aligned in my mind.  This is not one of those classes that would be everyone “hooting and hollering” in anticipation about.  Coming into this class with an open mind was the best decision I could make because now at its conclusion, I feel as if I know more about myself, and how to continue to be self-motivated to become the best school leader that I can be.  I may not have “hooted and hollered” in the beginning, but I will “sing the praises” of this class in the end. 

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

My Action Research Plan

Goals/ Objectives: Determine how parental involvement affects student achievement at Forestburg as compared to national and state data. Action Step(s) Person(s) Responsible Timeline: Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation Determine levels of student achievement and student subgroups. a.     Collect subgroup information from PEIMS reporting b.     Collect recorded data from transcripts and current test scores on standardized tests and benchmarks Myself Principal Super-intendent PEIMS recorder Teachers January, 2012 PEIMS Data Test Scores Transcripts Special Education data Use PEIMS data to evaluate subgroups such as economics, race, ethnicity, etc Use test scores and transcripts to determine student achievement levels Determine levels of parental involvement a.     Write letter to parents/guardians explaining the purpose of the this research and survey parents to determine their perceived level of involvement b.     Attend several different types of school events and record field notes on parents attendance c.     Survey superintendent, principal, and teachers to inquire about parents who are consistently in contact with the school for student success d.     Survey students to determine their perceived outlook on their parents’ involvement Myself Principal Super-intendent Teachers Parents January-April 2013 Willing Parents/ Guardians National/State data to determine survey structure and content Use information collected to establish sub groups to relate the involvement levels of the parents and student achievement Report and use findings a.     Compile information into final report to share with administration, staff, and parents b.     Use report to develop intervention plan if needed Myself Principal Super-intendent Teachers Parents May-August 2013 Research data If results of the study parallel those research findings of national and state reports, our data will need to be used to develop intervention plans to assist in an increase in parental involvement and possible after school programs.

What makes a good research plan and where do I start?

Good action research plans need to be focused on practical ideas for several reasons.  First, it will increase the interest in the idea and as well as increase the focus on accomplishing the research project.  The students will benefit from this on a much higher level.  Also, the research plan needs to be data driven.  Changes based on accurate data results should result in an increase in student learning which, ultimately, is an administrator’s goal.  The more practical the idea, the better the data, the increase in interest, and the stronger the focus implemented will increase the improvement of student learning and strengthen the academic efforts of the school. I did not realize how important it was to apply these principles to the idea of action research, but it makes sense.  As a future administrator, I feel these ideals behind action research could nothing but strengthen a school, its staff, and its students. 

In developing a place to begin an action research plan, an administrator should look in the areas of staff development, curriculum development, individual teacher, individual student, school culture and/or community, leadership, management, school performance, or social justice.  Developing an action research plan in one of these key areas will be beneficial to, not only the researcher, but also the entire school.  (Dana, pg 30)

How can an educational leader use blogs?

Blogs are a great tool for an educational leader to use to capture the "thinking" of people involved.  In action research, there may not be concrete "data" that one can use to assess the inquiry proposed.  Sometimes, simply acquiring people's thoughts and combining them into survey type results can be just as important.  A blog is an instant way for an educational leader to, not only get other people's ideas about what they have posted, but also as a journal of their own thoughts and progress through an inquiry. It can serve as a journal of ideas, thoughts, results, and opinions of anything the educational leader needs to address.

What exactly is action research?

Simply stated, administrative inquiry or action research refers to the process of a principal engaging in systematic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry (Dana, 2009) This is a great tool to use for self reflection, assessing problems, and vision establishment.  The ability for anyone to take charge of their actions and the results is an attribute that is not left for the weary.  Through action research, an administrator can take a holistic approach to bettering the areas they are responsible for.  Dedication to the issue, thoughtful planning, and effectiveness assessment are necessary for the completion of any action research plan.  The main difference between this type of research and, what most people see as a "normal" research plan, is the implementation of the "ACTION" facet.  A problem or inquiry is addressed so that something can be done as a result of the information gathered.  An administrator or educational leader can use the action research plan to develop ideas, assess program effectiveness, build colleague cohesion, and create a sense of ownership amongst everyone involved with the school.  It can also be used as a tool to determine administrative effectiveness, financial needs, and an alternative to professional development.  The opportunities opened by using an action research project are endless, limited only by the ability of the inquirer and the time and strategy put in place to accomplish the project.  

References: 
Dana, N. F. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.


Martin, G., Danzig, A., Wright, W., Flanary, R., and Brown, F. (2012). School Leader Internship Developing, Monitoring, and Evaluating Your Leadership Experience.  Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.