Action Research Template 1st Attempt

Action Planning Template
Goal: Increase the effectiveness of a tutoring class on reducing student anxiety levels regarding standardized science exams.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Review literature on specified topic	Jarrett Berry	January 2013-February 2013	-Library -Internet -Journals	Determine if topic can be used for research project
Conduct student surveys	Jarrett Berry	February 2013 and every month students are in tutoring program through December 2013.	Survey asking students to rate their anxiety regarding standardized science testing on a scale of 1 to 5, and to provide feedback and suggestions for the tutoring class.	Surveys will be conducted once every 4 weeks to monitor student anxiety levels.
Conduct teacher surveys	Jarrett Berry Science Teachers	May 2013 and December 2013	Survey asking teachers to rate perceived student anxiety levels on a scale of 1 to 5, and to provide feedback and suggestions for the tutoring class.	Surveys will be conducted at the end of the semesters to assess teacher perceptions of the tutoring program.
Develop a strategy for analyzing findings.	Jarrett Berry	February 2013- December 2013	-Survey results -Excel	The data will be used to evaluate the tutoring class.
Reflect on project, and consider further research and new questions.	Jarrett Berry	February 2013- December 2013	-Blog -Notes	How did the research evaluate the effectiveness of the tutoring class on reducing student anxiety regarding standardized science exams?
Develop a way to share findings with campus and district.	Jarrett Berry	January 2014	-Staff Development -email	Request feedback from colleagues.

There are at least 9 areas of major wonderings of school leaders:

1.    Staff development

2.    Curriculum development

3.    Individual teacher(s)

4.    Individual student(s)

5.    School culture/community

6.    Leadership

7.    Management

8.    School performance

9.    Social justice or equity issues

          Each of these areas are critical for a school to be successful. Action research should be done within each of these areas in a constant attempt to make the school the best it can be. Administrators should be looking for opportunities to improve and utilize the action research process.
           
          For my action research project I plan to evaluate the effects of a tutoring class on student attitudes and anxiety regarding standardized science exams, and how the tutoring class affects students' test scores. 

     Action research is the process by which administrators and teachers seek and implement ways to improve their practice for the good of the school. Inquiry goes hand-in-hand with action research. Inquiry is systematic investigation which consists of asking questions, gathering and examining data, and researching information. “Inquiry is the process of thinking and questioning that undergirds the Framework for Examining School Improvement”, (Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010). The ongoing process of action research includes the critical step of sharing findings. Action research allows educators to make more informed choices. Action research guides educators toward effective professional development.The cycle of action research leads to improved leadership and improved schools.
     There are many benefits to action research. Action research allows administrators and teachers to analyze their own practice and develop ways to improve. Motivation increases when one is uses the action research process. Action research is a way of improving learning both for the educators and the students. Data analysis skills are improved, and decisions are made based on evidence when action research is utilized. Action research is a cycle.
     Action research has many possible applications in education. I could use action research  to identify beneficial professional development opportunities, increase student performance, and improve faculty morale. In the immediate future, I hope to evaluate a mentoring program we will be implementing to improve behavior with a select group of students.  

     Blogs can be a valuable tool for educational leaders. Blogging allows colleagues to collaborate and support each other over long distances. Blogging allows for reflection and sharing of research.  Blogging makes connections that might not happen otherwise.