Action Research Reflection - Week 1

Within the district I have worked for the last 6 years, I have participated in and observed action research. However, I had no idea that it was called action research. "Practitioner inquiry [or action research] is defined as systematic, intentional study of one's own professional practice." (Dana, 2009, p 9) In my district I simply knew that we often worked in small groups with our administrators focusing on specific goals or concerns, analyzing data, reviewing and discussing current research, making recommendations based on the data, and then creating a plan based on those recommendations. The collaboration piece of this process was instrumental to the success of the whole process. It allowed teachers and specialists working with administrators to voice concerns together and have time for productive discussions. This process allowed us to survey our grade level teams or entire campuses if needed to determine patterns and common needs. Together, as a community of invested learners, we could tease apart the data and determine the best course of action for our campus.

The ability to study what is working and what is not working creates the opportunity to make small and large changes that have dramatic and real effects in student and campus success. I have learned that what sets action research apart from simple collaboration is that it is 1) focused around a specific question or concern, 2) it involves relevant data collection and review of current literature to help interpret the data findings and guide the recommendations, and 3) the research team uses their own valuable experiences and knowledge of the subject matter, the campus culture, and the students to design a plan that is supported by the research. Through this process a cohesive and invested group of campus leaders work towards a common goal of improving themselves and their campus.

Administrators that couple the action research process with on-going grade level meetings, campus improvement meetings, instructional team meetings, etc will make enormous strides toward campus success. Combining action research with these on-going meetings will eliminate off task and unproductive meetings while reframing the context and purpose of those attending the meetings. The benefits of action research that extend beyond student success are greater professional growth, more collegiality, and enhanced team cohesiveness.