Action Research Plan

Reflection on Action Research Topic

This week's assignments were all leading up to selecting a topic for action research. The interviews of the three scholars helped me to understand what real action research is all about. I know now that the best research has a specific purpose and that the significance of action research should be to improve student achievement. In the second part of the assignment, we explored the different areas of action research that can take place in school settings. This activity enabled me to broaden my perception of the different areas of action research that can take place in schools. After exploring all of the different types of action research, I was able to confirm the topic that would have significance on my campus. I was able to meet discuss with my site supervisor about three different topics that I was considering, and then decide on the one that would most benefit my specific campus. My action research will deal with the effectiveness of TAKS classes on my campus for 9th grade at-risk students. I want to know if there are immediate or long term benefits from the class, and if these students are experiencing an increase in achievement.

Blogs for Educational Leaders

Educational leaders can use blogs as a journal for data collection. It is important to collect thoughts in an organized form so that those thoughts can be revisited and edited when necessary. This capturing of thinking can become invaluable when used in the process of action research. Another important aspect of blogging is the possibility of posting information for a large audience. This produces the possibility of widespread idea sharing, as well as, recieving feedback from other interested parties on your topic. Sharing an inquiry with others can help facilitate the research process.

Learning about Action Research

Action research is simply stated as a systemic approach to investigating a "wondering". This wondering can be anything that is occurring in an educational setting that could use improvement or just further study. Dana (2009) describes administrative inquiry as the process of a principal engaging in a systemic, intentional study of his/her own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of inquiry. This systemic practice of inquiry involves posing questions, collecting data, analyzing data, reading literature, making changes based on new understandings, and sharing your findings with others. The ultimate goal of inquiry is school improvement.

Action research can be practiced by administrators and teachers alike, and there are numerous benefits to participating in this type of inquiry. One is that it increases the collegiality and peer support while reducing the isolation of administrators and teachers. Another benefit is the example of active life-long learning that can be set for teachers and students. Inquiry can also facilitate best practices on a campus, as well as encourage school improvement.

There are many ways that administrators or teachers can actively engage in action research. Action research can serve as professional development, or it can be facilitated through professional learning communities. Administrative inquiry can occur through university coursework, district meetings, or through campus leadership teams. These are some of the areas that action research can be used to focus on learning. As a future leader, I am learning the importance and the possibilities of practicing action reasearch as an administrator


Dana Fichman, Nancy (2009). leading with passion and knowledge; The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.