Whew...Jumping In Head First!...My Action Research Plan

 ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT

Research how to effectively address dress code violations without the current lengthy process that disrupts and prevents classroom instruction.

1. FOUNDATION BEHIND THE PROJECT-

My research will address methods to appropriately address dress code violations without removing students from important classroom time. This is an issue that many schools face and I won’t pretend that it is an original issue; however it is an issue my campus severely needs to address. Many times the dress code violators are repeat offenders and violate especially to get out of class especially when a pending exam or presentation awaits the student in class. These students are frequently the ones that need to be in class the very most. We simply do not have an efficient method of handling dress code violators. The current administrators have expressed an interest in ideas to make the process less of a hindrance to instructional time.

The importance of the project is that the student violators, the teachers, the violator’s fellow students, and the administrators will all benefit from a more efficient system. There will be more instructional time which will benefit the educators and students as well as more time for the campus administrators to handle other pertinent issues related to the school. Additionally, students will practice and become accustomed to dressing appropriately and learn social norms for appropriate attire in a professional environment as this is the student’s “profession” for the years in attendance in public school.

2. ANALYZING DATA –

I will use various data collection methods. I will use quantitative, objective measures of the number of discipline referrals and whether they decrease, increase, or remain consistent as a reflection of new protocols. I will also use field notes, especially 8^th period, as I walk through to observe the efficiency in the office. These walk-throughs should reveal minimal results as I would expect that the majority of the infractions would be addressed by this point in the school day. Finally, as previously stated, this is not an innovative or new issue in public schools; therefore I will more completely review research that exists on the topic and what other districts employ in order to effectively manage dress code issues.

The hypothesis is that the data will separate those students who truly made errors in judgment in selecting their attire and those whom habitually choose inappropriate attire.

The intention is that the data will find that administrators, teachers, and non-violating students will communicate more satisfaction with the method in which dress code issues are handled. This communication will occur through the surveys, interviews, and blogs.

  

3. DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING –

Once the initial data of the number and types of infractions is collected, the hypothesis is that infractions will reduce in number and/or level. My hypothesis is that the field notes will be minimal as 8^th period is the last period of the day. However, if the walk-throughs reveal consistent dress code violations, the system should be revisited as it is not as effective as I would like. More extensive data will now be collected through interviews, surveys, and web blogs (Teacher, administrator, and student) will also be utilized as I want honest feedback on whether the new system is working and classrooms are being disturbed less. The intention of this action plan is that everyone involves gains a purer and less distracted classroom experience, therefore if this is not occurring, the systems is not fully successful. I will continue my research into methods that have been attempted in other districts.

The intention is that the data will find that administrators, teachers, and non-violating students will communicate more satisfaction with the method in which dress code issues are handled. This communication will occur through the surveys, interviews, and blogs.

4. ENGAGE IN SELF-REFLECTION –

• Can I make the system of dress-code violation easy and efficient enough for the dress code

   administrative team to utilize?

• Can I create enough teacher support and buy in that teachers will want to give the system a chance?

• Can I secure the necessary paper and forms that I will require to make the system work?

• Can I secure enough clothing to initially start the program? 

5. EXPLORING PROGRAMMATIC PATTERNS –

I have spoken with my site supervisor and her initial issue is that we will have students that will not show up to the after school dress code detention. We will therefore need to have a system for those who do not attend.

I will absolutely have to have an easy form that can quickly be completed and enough staff to fill them out. We already have a system, I am simply refining it, and so staff should not be an issue. I will also absolutely have to have enough extra clothes that a student can borrow if they have an inappropriate message or revealing/baggy clothes issue.

6. DETERMINING DIRECTION –

A.     I am trying to solve effectively addressing the issue of dress code violators without removing the violators from class for an extended period of time.

B.     I have addressed the skills and resources section and feel adequately prepared but will revisit this as the project progresses

C.     I have collaborated with my site supervisor and sent e-mails to the “dress code leadership team”. I have not received feedback from the latter but feel confident (as does my site supervisor) that I will when they return to work following summer break. I will continue to collaborate with additional individuals as the project progresses.

D.     I believe that my time-lines are reasonable but will analyze this continuously throughout the project.

E.      I believe that I have a good plan to monitor my progress at regular interval but will continue to analyze this and remain in contact with my site supervisor and the dress code leadership team to monitor this.

F.      My plan is to measure success is that teachers and administrators feel that the time allotted to addressing dress code violations decreases. Additionally teachers and students feel that class time is disrupted less.

G.     Revision of monitor and evaluation of the plan will be revisited after the initial data is collected and continuously throughout the project.

7. TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

A committee was organized in May 2011. It is called the Dress Code Leadership Team. My proposal will be given to them once school begins. They will be given my plan of action and we will review it as a group.

Data will be collected and reports written and submitted to the administrative team and the Dress Code Leadership Team regularly (December 2011, May 2012, and December 2012).

8. SUSTAIN IMPROVEMENT

This will be reviewed upon collection of some data as the project progresses.

Action Research Clarified for Me

This week action research was clarified for me. I really enjoyed the introductory video as I left feeling much more comfortable with conducting an action research. I learned that I didn’t have to “reinvent the wheel” and to make certain that the project was time, data, and financially feasible. I was glad to hear that financial feasibility should be considered as I was not looking forward to asking the administration for funds to conduct a study.

I learned that typically action research is a necessary and is needed to bring in a new project or process. It should be done to improve performance, either teacher or student. I am very comfortable with traditional research, as my original bachelors was geared towards professional school or research, so it was interesting to learn that some teachers may not be as comfortable with “research”, however all educators can collect and compare data, which is essentially research. This should be useful in clarifying the process when I am conducting research and as an administrator. I was perplexed in Dr. Lewis’s statement that “technical pieces of writing should be made to fit what is practical for the individual school”. This contradicts what we have previously learned, however my gut tells me that I misinterpreted his intention even after reviewing the video multiple times.

I also further clarified action research with the Dana readings and the nine areas of passion. I revised my verbiage so that the action research was clearer. I also gained clarification on the areas. Additionally, the Dana readings taught me that the areas overlap and that the research should not change or control educator’s practices as this is not conducive to self-discovery. Finally, the “wonderings” should not be rigid; they should be malleable and ever-changing with the discoveries that arise.

How Can Blogging Be Useful To Administrators

Educational leaders could very effectively use blogs to quickly update staff on campus news and calendars. Additionally, if an action research is taking place, to update findings or ask for input at any of the stages of research. Finally this is a more interactive, interesting approach to the daily surveys that my school sends out. This way I can view the campus opinions instead of my e-mail inbox filling with all of the “reply all” e-mails that crowd those of immediate importance.

My Thoughts on Action Research

Action research is the optimum method in which to identify and create solutions and change. These changes are in response to campus specific issues in an educational community. The verbiage “inquiry” is sometimes utilized as the word “research” conjures negative feelings although the terms “action research” and “administrative inquiry” can be used almost interchangeably. It is an intrinsic approach to studying the administrative actions of the administrative leader by the administrative leader; it is frequently reflective and honest. Action research differs from traditional research in that it is internally derived, introspective, and based on the needs of the campus students and employees rather than a university expert that proposed theoretical solutions that may not be relevant to the idiosyncrasies of the campus in review. Action research is intentional and involves the administrators and staff in the identification of the issue, collection of pertinent data, and interpretation of the data so that an effective solution can be identified. It creates a learning community and allows for ownership of the problem and solution in “solution based” atmosphere rather than the negative, punitive manner of traditional methods. It allows educators and administrators to have a voice in positive change in their community education reforms and allows members to be proactive rather that the traditional reactive approach. The administrative inquiry’s initial purpose is generally to understand facets of the school system and facilitate the appropriate changes for the student, teacher, and principal in an action research initiative.

Action research can be used to solve issues that a campus improvement team identifies or as an alternative to professional development in the schools. Some specific examples might include research that identifies the appropriate methods to use for the various levels of discipline infractions, research that identifies extra-curricular involvement versus discipline issues, or research that identifies appropriate reading levels and success of standardized tests and how to improve literacy levels. These are all issues that may be proposed in a school such as mine at our initial in-service  that would replace traditional research studies and “fad” educational programs that will be short lived and meaningless to the staff and students.