Week 3 Reflection

What I really enjoyed about week 3 was getting to the point where I was able to map out the actions and activities I felt where needed to perform my research.  I have had a clear understand on my vision and goal, but actually putting the steps all together make it easier for me to see the big picture and exactly what I need to do. 

The templates that we viewed and were able to use are very helpful.  I would not have initially thought about including assessment instruments and monitoring processes.  These templates help us see each activity from beginning to end.

Really enjoyed week 3.  Got a little behind due to a conference I was sent to for work.  Planned on finding time to work while I was gone, but ended up getting really sick and spent every minute not in workshops in bed.  I am still trying to play the catchup game this week.  Hopefully by Monday I am back on track.

Blessings to all - have a wonderful week.

Week 3 - Action Research Plan

During week 3 I setup a draft of an action research plan.  My action research plan includes my goals and expected outcomes from my research, the activities I plan to do to achieve those outcomes, the resources I will need, a timeline, individuals who will be involved, the steps for monitoring that we are working towards achieving those goals and outcomes, and what assessment instruments will be used.

SCHOOL VISION:  Continue to grow and develop our campus in a way that is inviting to students, offers programs and activities that students and parents want, prepare students at a high achievement level, and maintain a high level of college readiness.

GOAL:  What influences a student to attend a magnet high school over a traditional high school and what effect and impact on knowledge and readiness does attending a magnet high school over a traditional high school within a public school system have on a student during and after high school?

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIMELINE	ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS TO EVALUATE	PROCESS FOR MONITORING ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Will help our campus continue to offer programs that work towards the goals our students want to achieve while in high school that applies to their future career goals	What career goals do students want to achieve while in high school?	1.  Online survey using our campus eclassroom website through English Department. 2.  Survey distributed to students at Holmes High School through the English Department.	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	September 2012	Review results, build spreadsheets to summarize results Share results with committee members and campus principal	Committee meeting prior to administering the survey to discuss procedures, meet with the English teachers to discuss the survey, meet with counselors to assist with completion of the survey Committee meeting to discuss results in October 2012
Compare the results on what students are looking for and what we currently offer and see if any changes should be and/or can be made it continue to offer activities that the students are looking for in a high school	What type of activities are the students looking for in a high school?	1.  Online survey using our campus eclassroom website through English Department. 2.  Survey distributed to students at Holmes High School through the English Department.	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	September 2012	Review results, build spreadsheets to summarize results Share results with committee members and campus principal	Committee meeting prior to administering the survey to discuss procedures, meet with the English teachers to discuss the survey, meet with counselors to assist with completion of the survey Committee meeting to discuss results in October 2012
We want to make sure we offer a save and positive environment for our students.  We also want to know what makes the students feel comfortable and what they are looking for that makes them feel comfortable and welcomed at a high school	What type of setting are the students looking for in a high school?	1.  Online survey using our campus eclassroom website through English Department. 2.  Survey distributed to students at Holmes High School through the English Department.	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	September 2012	Review results, build spreadsheets to summarize results Share results with committee members and campus principal	Committee meeting prior to administering the survey to discuss procedures, meet with the English teachers to discuss the survey, meet with counselors to assist with completion of the survey Committee meeting to discuss results in October 2012
Determine if we are offering up to date programs for our students	What type of college readiness programs are offered at the high schools in our district?	1.  Internet research 2.  High School Counselors	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	October 2012	Review results, build spreadsheets to summarize results Share results with committee members and campus principal	Committee meeting prior to beginning the survey to discuss specifics to look for while completing the research, assign each committee member a school to research Committee meeting to discuss results in October 2012
Compare % among other high schools to see where we fair with those around us.  This information can be used during recruiting trips.	What % of BCHS students are accepted and attending college after graduation? How does that % compare to that of the other NISD high schools?  (Both magnet and traditional)	During senior interviews with the counselors Work with counselors from other high schools to determine their % of graduating seniors that have been accepted to a university or plan to attend college after high school.	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	May 2013	Review results, build spreadsheets to summarize results Share results with committee members and campus principal	Committee meeting prior to beginning the survey to discuss specifics to look for while completing the research, assign each committee member a school to research Committee meeting to discuss results in May 2013
Can we adapt needed changes	The committee will compare the data collect on what students are wanting in a campus and what  our campus offers	Meet with campus administration and committee members to determine what we can change or have the means to change	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	May 2013	Spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations	Team meetings to share ideas, discuss changes, share results Put together a plan to implement changes approved
Can we adapt needed changes	Results will be shared with the campus principal	Meet with campus administration and committee members to determine what we can change or have the means to change	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	May 2013	Spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations	Team meetings to share ideas, discuss changes, share results Put together a plan to implement changes approved
Can we adapt needed changes	The committee will make recommendations towards campus improvement and additions to programs and organizations that are needed	Meet with campus administration and committee members to determine what we can change or have the means to change	Tanya Stivors Committee Members	May 2013	Spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations	Team meetings to share ideas, discuss changes, share results Put together a plan to implement changes approved

Week 2 Reflection

The activities that we worked on this week really helped me understand alot more about action research and how it benefits those that use it.  Towards the end of this week as I was visiting with my site supervisors I really began to see why I could apply action research into my campus and how it would benefit us.  When I think back to the creation of my internship plan and the actions that I put into my plan I view them a little differently.  I still look forward to this activities in my internship plan, but I have a better understand of how I will research these areas and how they can benefit our program.  The bigger picture is coming together and I am feeling comfortable and confident with my action research plans!

Have a great weekend everyone!  Hope everything is coming together for each of you as well.

Tanya

How might educational leaders use blogs?

As an educator I can see one using a blog to share ideas and lesson plans for classroom activities.  Coming up with new and unique projects that the students really enjoy working on it not always easy.  Getting ideas from other educators and sharing ideas is very helpful.

I can also see educators blogging about issues or concerns that they might need advice on.  I personally would not blog on issues that included specific details to an individual, but just general information that I might need support and advice on.

What I have learned about Auction Research??

Action research begins with identifying a problem or concern.  You then must collect data about the problem or concern, implement an action of change based on your research findings, observe the change in progress, gather new data after the change has occurred, and provide results on the impact of the new change.  Action research is a method that can be used to improve our administrative practices through following steps and collaboratively working together to solve the problem.

As an administrator is it important to notice problems within your campus and work towards creating change that will benefit your school and/or programs.  Using action research will provide you with the necessary information to arrive at a decision change that can benefit your school through the use of data and collaboration.  In alot of cases as we are researching the issue at hand we in turn learn more about our campus, our students, our faculty and what works best for everyone together.

I would feel very comfortable using action research because it does provide steps to researching the issue, creating change, evaluating the change, and then reflecting on the change. It a positive response has been created then we have created a successful change.  If not then we can go back and repeat the process until we have created that positive change.