Action Reseach Plan Template

Action Research Plan
Goal: Research and evaluate how the number of days that students miss from extracurricular activities correlate or affect their grade average and test scores.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Get together with site supervisor and see if I need to incorporate the Sophmore and Junior classes in the research or the whole high school.	Tony Bushong (Principal)	August 26th-30th	Class rosters	See if the number of Sophmore and and Junior class students involved in extracurricular activities  is enough to do research or do I need to incorporate the Freshman and Senior classes?
Do grades and test scores from students involved in extracurricular activities during the “10-day” rule improve, stay the same or drop versus the 2012-2013 school year?	Tony Bushong Glenda Horton (Office clerk)	Sept. 1-Oct. 1 (2013)	Grades and test scores from previous school years	Compare student scores involved in extracurricular activities during the 10-day rule  versus scores from the 2012-2013 school year.
I will interview teachers in the core subjects (English, Math, Science and History) and see how they feel about student performance in the classroom when students miss class time due to extracurricular activities. I will also interview extracurricular teachers and sponsors on how they feel about unlimited absences on extracurricular activities and how grades are affected.	Mrs. Rinewalt, Mrs. Bushong, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Skiles Chris Roberts, Chad Fouts, Mrs. McLaren, Mr. Gregory	Oct.1st-Nov. 1st (2013)	Interview, Blogs and Surveys	Compare the interview among the core teachers to see their attitude on extracurricular activities. What are the disadvantages of missed class time? Do students who are not in extracurricular activities or less extracurricular activities excel in their classroom versus the students who miss an abundance of class time? What was the difference during the 10-day rule on student scores versus scores on unlimited absences? I will check test and grades on students to check performance with their core teachers.
I will interview students who are involved in extracurricular activities and see how they feel about the absences and missed instruction time.	Sophmore and Junior Class students	Nov 1st- Feb-1st (2013)	Surveys, interviews, weblogs, notebook	I will compare student responses to surveys and interviews to see how absences from extracurricular activities affect their scores and grades? Do they struggle and feel stressed from lost instruction time? What are some of the stresses put on them? What can be done to help with scores and grade if they need help?_

Week 2 Reflection

I look back on week 2 and think about the many topics I can choose for my Action Research. From staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, individual students, school culture/community, leadership, management and school performance. The topics are unlimited. I want to pick a topic that I will be interested in but also will maybe benefit the school that I am employed at. I work at a very small school district out in the country away from city life. I worked at a large 3A Title 1 school for 12 years and saw the achievement and frustration that comes along with being at a Title 1 school. Coming from a big school of about 290 to 310 students in the high school to 58 students in the high school is a drastic change. My prayer is that my Action Research will be a tool I can use when I do get into administration and become the leader of the school I am working at.

Action Research Topic: Do the number of days that students miss school from extracurricular activities correlate or affect their grade average or test scores?

I work in a vey small school district with an average of about 58 students in high school. Everybody is involved in many extracurricular activities from athletics, to FFA, One-Act Play, Cheerleading to UIL Academics. The state's old policy numbered the days that students could miss due to extracurricular activities. The rule changed leaving the number of days up to the school district and school board. Our school district/board has given our students an unlimited number of absences from extracurricular activities and it has affected some students grades and test scores. I want to know the difference of students' grades/scores when absences were numbered versus grade/scores with unlimited absences in our school district. How does a small school district compare to a larger school district on absences from extracurricular activities? What is the attitude of teachers who are accountable for student's test scores when they are missing valuable classroom time? How do extracurricular activity teachers or coordinators such as coaches, Ag teachers, UIL teachers, Drama teachers feel about the unlimited absences? Do students who participate in extracurricular activities feel pressure or struggle with falling behind in the classroom or with homework? These are just a few questions I ask myself on this particular Research Topic. I am excited to dive into the research.

The Use of Blogs From Educational Leaders

Blogging or blogs is a great way to share ideas, concerns,  and goals within a community of professionals in your field. Blogging is a great tool to gain ideas and insight on how to handle certain situations that may be occurring at your school. Principals can use blogging as a reference tool. A reference tool to share information, see the strengths and weaknesses of certain ideas along with sharing opinions on the rigorous schedule and demands of a school principal.

What is Action Research?

Action Research is a tool used to push educational professionals such as Principals to improve their campuses. Principals are forced to look at the weaknesses of their school. The weakness may be in curriculum, improving student test scores, faculty motivation, parent involvement, extracurricular activities, etc. I believe that Action Research is a way for principals to step out of his/her comfort zone and look at their campus from the inside out. Action Research is a collaboration of different aspects added to find a solution to the weakness or problem. A collaboration of data research, surveys from students, faculty and parents along with blogging and sharing ideas with colleagues. One of the most important aspects of Action Research is that it provides growth. The only way to grow as an individual is to be able to think outside the box. The education field is an area of constant change. A change in curriculum, testing standards, socio-economics, parental involvement and student commitment to an education. Principals must look at all these aspects to see what areas need improvement so that all students and faculty are pushed to a higher standard. As a teacher and coach of 14 years, I am always looking to improve my coaching style and strategies. I must adapt to our athletes athletic ability, strength of schedule, offseason program and practice schedule to see if our program is improving. I am constantly asking myself. "What can I do better or differently?" The same goes of Action Research. The principal of a school must ask himself/herself the same question. "What can I do better or differently to improve our school and school district?" Through Action Research, that question can be answered. You not only come up with your Action Research but you use professional literature and collaboration to find the answer or come up with an action plan. Action Research is a great avenue to improve your weaknesses and make them your strengths.