Week 3- Action Planning Template

Action Planning Template
Goal: To determine what kind of effect the Sheltered Instruction (inclusion) model has on language development for students previously served by English as a Second Language pull-out program.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Resources	Evaluation
Meet with site supervisor to get a list of LEP students and determine cohort of students to research.	C. Teichman, D. Tackett, K. Cox	November 2011	PEIMS list with identified LEP students served by ESL inclusion.	List of complete cohort to research.
Collect class schedules for cohort and determine which teacher(s) provides the language support or ESL services.	C. Teichman, D. Tackett, K. Cox	November 2011	Class schedules from PEIMS system	Class schedules for cohort.
Gather data on cohort for the last 3 school years.	C. Teichman	December 2011-January 2012	DMAC- TELPAS, TAKS, any other state assessment data, or benchmarking data	DMAC reports for TAKS, TELPAS, or Benchmarks and summarize in template.
Survey teachers on factors that can impact second language acquisition.	C. Teichman	December 2011	Surveymonkey and teacher email addresses.	Survey results summary.
Review teacher certification, training, professional development, number of years of working with ESL/LEP students.	C. Teichman, D. Tackett, K. Cox, B. Seigler	January 2012	Avatar System at Region 9 and Certificates	Summary of trainings/ professional development.
Collect new state assessment data and final benchmarks for the end of school year.	C. Teichman	June 2012	DMAC- TELPAS and local benchmarks.	Add results to template.
Present data to site administrators, teachers, and District Improvement Team.	C. Teichman	Summer 2012	District Administrators, teachers involved in study, and District Improvement Team.	Presentation of data to assist in district and campus improvement plans.

Lessons learned about Action Research

After reading chapter 2, The Passions That Drive Your Journey, I learned about the nine areas that are considered the major wonderings of many school leaders.  I found that the area that I was thinking about researching could fall into many categories that are considered major wonderings.  This kind of makes me think that I need to pick one of the areas to narrow the scope of my action research plan.  I am afraid I may be too broad and general.  I am going to rely on my sight supervisor to advise me on what would be best for the school.  I learned that action research really is a useful tool for todays leaders in whatever postion they are serving.  I am excited to be a part of this process and hope that I can narrow down my topic soon.

Blogs and Educational Leaders

Blogs can be utilized by educational leaders as an effective communication tool that provides  important information about action research or other hot topics.  This can include text, pictures, data, or links to other websites.  This allows everyone to be interactive through an online format.

Action Research

Action research or administrator inquiry is a process of engaging in intentional self reflection and making changes based on what you have learned in the study.  Being engaged in action research gives school personnel an opportunity to grow professionally and to investigate problems to make better choices in educational practices.  This allows for collaboration between instructional stake holders as they get to play a part in the research process which allows them to be have ownership and facilitate change based on their findings.  This process includes reflecting on practical situations that need improved, determining strategies to improve the situation, implementation of the strategies and evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies, and looking for new areas for improvement.  Action research is a continual process of reflection and action.  The whole intent is to make change and improve the school.

Action research will allow me to work with the school in a cyclical process to improve an area of the school.  This type of activity will facilitate growth with the staff while being engaged in the process of school improvement.  Administrators  get a chance to look for ways to change by reflecting on self practice.  This can be a powerful tool to grow professionally and to reform schools. Action research can create change that matters for student success.