Action Research Project Summary

So far I have completed the action research plan and outlined activities to complete the research. I have become more actively involved as a leader on my campus and the principal has offered professional development opportunities as well as the opportunity to oversee the CTE (career and technology education) curriculum for the Magnet Program. I have completed quite a few hours; however, there is still much left to be done for my action research plan. I have not completed all the domains on the internship plan. Nevertheless, on the action research plan I have successfully built consensus on the assessment of the current medical magnet program outcomes and areas for improvement as well as developed a two year pilot program curriculum for implementation in grades 6,7,8. In addition, meetings were coordinated for textbook selection and the process and evaluative criteria for textbook selection was implemented and books ordered for the health science program. I am currently in the process of securing sponsors and affiliations and preparing to implement an integrated accountability plan for community partners, including parents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions. It is nearing the end of the first six weeks so I am also preparing to send out student surveys to evaluate student perception of the magnet program. The data from six weeks test must be analyzed and strategies implement to ensure that cross curricular teaching through the CTE magnet program is best utilized for student success. The committee will discuss plans and strategies to correct any issues in the next meeting and to discuss the data.

Action Plan

Action Planning Template Lovette Martin
Goal: Improve the medical technology curriculum to meet the developmental needs of our current and incoming middle school students and seamlessly transition them into the High School curriculum
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Build consensus on the assessment of current medical magnet program outcomes and areas for improvement	Medical Magnet Coordinator; Science & Medical Technology Department Chair; Lovette Martin	June 2013	2012-2013 curriculum and student performance scores per course and grade level   Inventory of current supplies and equipment	Successful components of program Below average student performance areas Suggestions and input from students, faculty, and parents on areas of improvement Equipment, supplies, and resources needed to support a medical magnet program
Develop a two year pilot program curriculum for implementation in grades 6,7,8	Medical Magnet Coordinator; Science & Medical Technology Department Chair; Lovette Martin	June 2013	2012-2013 Curriculum for previous Decision Making Data, Student Work Protocols, Student Data Protocols   Proposed curriculums from other districts   Current high school curriculum	Is the curriculum: integrative progressive grade level specific Make necessary changes to instructional practice in identified areas of concern.

 

Coordinate meeting for textbook selection to include an overview of the process and evaluative criteria for textbook selection	Lovette Martin	June 2013	List of medical technology publishers and contact information   Web based programs available for instructional integration of technology	age appropriate textbooks that provide adequate information for course material avoid replication of content in purchasing multiple course textbooks technology integration – online textbooks
Develop over the first year an Integrated Accountability Plan for Community Partners, including parents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions	BISD Administration; Principal; Medical Magnet Coordinator; Science & Medical Technology Department Chair; Lovette Martin	July 2013	List of potential partners and stakeholders contact information (Memorial Hermann, St. Elizabeth, Wellness Center, private practices)   Proposed levels of affiliations and requests, requirements, recommendations for provisions and partnerships	Ensure BISD procedure and protocol adhered to in the facilitation of partnerships   Establish long term vs short term affiliations   All business partnerships are fair and equitable   Partnerships are education based to improve student performance
Analyze academic performance of transitioned high school students	Lovette Martin High School counselor; High School Medical Magnet program coordinator	July 2013	List of previous middle school students that transferred to High School program   Data: Academic performance of transitioned students (middle and high school data)	Is there a correlation between middle school curriculum and high school performance Did students enrolled in magnet program perform better than those with no previous medical technology curriculum

 

Analyze student performance data on current students and incoming 6th grade state assessment tests and the medical magnet program diagnostic tests	Lovette Martin	July 2013	5th grade/ current students assessment test data	Information will be used at end of year to assess previous performance and the new curriculum for student success initiatives
Conduct Professional development sessions on mentoring Medical Magnet Students	Lovette Martin	September 2013 February 2014	Approval of proposed meeting dates   Mentorship packets	Implementation of program to provide support for magnet students What are the effects of mentorship on self-efficacy, behavior, and performance
Mid-year evaluation of curriculum; Meeting with CIC meeting (campus improvement committee) to discuss program	Lovette Martin	January 2014	Input from teachers of magnet curriculum and other core courses; Administrators and campus leaders input and evaluations	Reflection: Notes from meetings and program evaluations & surveys   What noticeable changes are seen in performance, and the development of the curriculum Re-evaluate curriculum for changes if necessary Are textbooks and resources adequate What areas improved What areas need improvement
Grade level survey for self-efficacy, campus culture, behavior, and motivation (beginning, mid-year, end of year)	Lovette Martin	September 2013 January 2014 May 2014	Survey monkey Ipad access	What are the students perception of the medical magnet program Evaluate data for improvement
Present outcomes of the year; Meeting with CIC meeting (campus improvement committee) to discuss program	Lovette Martin	May 2014	Input from teachers of magnet curriculum and other core courses; Administrators and campus leaders input and evaluations	Reflections   What noticeable changes are seen in performance, and the development of the curriculum Re-evaluate curriculum for changes if necessary Are textbooks and resources adequate What areas improved What areas need improvement

 

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Practical Action Research

I enjoyed all of the interview videos for week 2. Each contributed a word of wisdom that I appreciate and will be sure to implement throughout this journey. First and foremost, don't reinvent the wheel, there's plenty of published research out there that can offer solutions to your research inquiry. Second, never stop growing, if you're green you're growing, if you're brown you're dead. And last but definitely not least, make sure your action research is practical!!! Find a topic you are interest in and will be beneficial to improving the performance on your campus; if it captures your interest you'll be more likely to stay focused and on target. Make it PRACTICAL, theoretical research has its place, but not so much in action research.

Blogs for Educational Leaders

Educational leaders can use blogs as a means to collect data, share information, and recieve feedback. This use of blogging can foster collaboration and offer opportunities for others to participate and give insight into the research at hand. With the advancements of the world wide web, blogging opens the door to a multitude of different perspectives from across the world on topics or ideas beyond the routine of our everyday thinking.

Action Research

My initial thoughts on action research before the readings was "Oh no, not another research paper!". Much to my surprise I found out that I was not the only one to have these thoughts when reading the dreaded word research. Thank goodness it's not that type of research. Action research is more of an inquiry based study where I am allowed to pose a thought or question. That one thought is then analyzed through four different phases, each supplying me with more insight into my initial question with hopes of coming to a conclusion that will bring about a constructive change. This type of research allows for me to be an active participant in the learning process; it goes beyond studying theory and allows me to subjectively investigate theory from professional literature, take action based upon my reflections, and then use and share the results. This type of research will be beneficial to my professional development as a leader as well as provide effective learning experiences for students. The everyday challenges and probing questions I have on how to improve curriculum, instruction, and student behavior, as well as what opportunities would best serve to motivate our students, are excellent tasks for which I plan to engage in action research. The single most important fact that I've learned about action research is the importance of reflection. Reflection allows us to make sense of what we've learned and are experiencing and is a vital step towards deciphering what needs to be done differently in the future.