Reflections of 5301

Perhaps one of the most important things I learned during this course was that action research will empower me to effect real and positive change in my education and the education of many others. While I have come to terms with the idea that the demands on my time as a principal will be staggering I now know that “inquiry is one tool that can be used by principals to untangle the intricate web of demands in which they become entangled each day, take change of their own professional development, and become the “head learner” of their school.” (Dana, 2009) Conducting action research will enable me to better myself while taking action based on what I have learned. In truth, any good practictioner conducts research of one sort or another if they feel there is something “missing” or a wondering that they feel is important to follow up with. If a teacher truly desires to have successful, well prepared students, then research is a key componet in the educational process. Without acknowledging it I have been conducting action research of one form or another since I began teaching in 1994. Although I did not formalize it I examined learning styles, methodology, and literature in order to create what “works” with my students.
Collaboration is the cornerstone of my craft. During this class, and many others previously, I have relied on the wisdom and knowledge of my colleagues. Without collaboration I would not be the practitioner I am nor will I be the administrator I hope to be. Through the use of blogs and the weekly discussion I formed an idea for my action research. My colleagues, whether they knew it or not, helped me form my inquiry and basis for action through something as little as a comment detailing their experiences. As a future administrator I will utilize blogging as a source of support and information. Blogging is a practical tool for busy professionals who want to form collegial relationships with people in their situation. Classroom teachers all over my district use blogs as an avenue of communication with their parents and other teachers. I hope to blog with my students this year as way to generate interest in Texas History. That being said the only way that a blog is useful is if people respond and provide relevant, useful feedback. One of the frustrating aspects of the course was that there were times when there were too few comments but on the whole I found it to be a useful practice.
The textbooks, the Dana and Harris alike, provided sage, relevant advice for any person wishing to conduct research. I found myself referring to the Dana text more often simply because the jargon and vernacular appealed to me. At one point I found myself reading page 67 of the Dana textbook several times over as I was contemplating my inquiry. “Be sure your question is: clear, concise, and specific; one whose answer you do not already know; free of judgemental language; phrased as an open-ended rather than dichotomous question; and “doable”.” (Dana, 2009) As I readied myself to begin the research process I thought questions over several times before settling on my topic.
In conclusion, this class was a confirmation that learning never stops, even after our degrees are conferred. Action research is a tool we can implement any time we feel that we need to stretch our mind or improve the quality of education on our campus. After all “The ultimate test of practical leadership is the realization of intended, real change that meets people’s enduring needs.” (benShea, 2000) – James MacGregor Burns.


Works Cited
benShea, Noah (2000). What Every Principal Would Like to Say…and What to Say Next Time. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press
Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading With Passion and Knowledge. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press

Action Agreed, Research Needed

One of the topics I discussed with my site supervisor was campus discipline. We both indicated it would be a terrific action research to identify the most common discipline infraction (with the exception of tardies), what consequences were assigned for this infraction and who seemed to repeat the infraction the most. Since then, another more pressing discipline issue has arisen. We have had several students repeatedly visit the AP’s office and exhausted our discipline consequences such as ISS, OSS, and DAEP. The question is how to intervene early in the process before a student is assigned to an alternative campus.
Another topic that I discussed with my site supervisor was teaming. Teaming was new to our campus last year. We are interested in finding out the effectiveness of teaming on the overall campus culture. Another area we were interested in was the effect teaming had on student interventions and success.
Although both topics were quite interesting we decided that the discipline study was a more pressing issue that needed action. One of the negative issues that my district must confront is our high rate of minority students assigned to DAEP or JJAEP. My campus principal wants me to study discipline referrals across the board, disaggregate the data based on certain indicators such as race, gender, SES, Education status, and grade level. What we are hoping to find is some sort of common denominator that we can isolate and design an intervention to head off consequences that involve exclusion from instruction. Any time a student misses instruction is lost knowledge and skills. So, I have my "marching orders" and I am off to the campus on Monday to gather initial data.