O.K.- After finding I did the Week 3 Assignment all wrong... Here is my Action Research Plan!

Action Planning Template
Goal: The goal of this action research project is to determine if classroom meetings positively impact the goals of our new anti-bully program, Olweus.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Initially survey the students using the Olweus survey to determine their feelings on how often they feel bullied, where the bullying is occurring, and how the bullying is addressed by adults.	Stephanie Winfrey (counselor) myself	October 2012	Computer lab, Olweus survey	Analyze survey results to determine how often, to what extent, and where the bullying is occurring.
2. Training teachers on implementing classroom meetings.	Stephanie Winfrey, Olweus Committee	August 2012-May 2013	Olweus materials (Olweus Guide, Olweus DVD, PowerPoint, Handouts)	Provide practice on conducting classroom meetings, watch model meetings on video, answer questions the teachers may have about the process.
3. Implement weekly classroom meetings	Classroom teachers	October 2012-ongoing	Space to form a circle for the meeting participants, anchor charts	Use the meetings to provide a safe respectful environment to: emphasize the anti-bullying rules, the Mustang Code, and team-building exercises.
4. Survey of teachers relating classroom meetings to class atmosphere, discipline, & difficulty, and amount of meetings actually conducted.	Myself	January 2013	Survey developed by myself for the teachers to fill out anonymously.	Analyze the results to determine if meetings are being conducted on a regular basis, the amount of discipline referrals in relation to bullying issues, and teacher feelings relating to classroom meetings.
5. End of year Olweus Survey the students to determine their feelings on how often they feel bullied, where the bullying is occurring, and how the bullying is addressed by adults.	Stephanie Winfrey (counselor) myself	May 2013	Computer lab, Olweus survey	Analyze survey results to determine how often, to what extent, and where the bullying is occurring. Compare the results to the beginning of the year survey.
6. Survey of teachers relating classroom meetings to class atmosphere, discipline, & difficulty, and amount of meetings actually conducted.	Myself	May 2013	Survey developed by myself for the teachers to fill out anonymously.	Analyze the results to determine if meetings are being conducted on a regular basis, the amount of discipline referrals in relation to bullying issues, and teacher feelings relating to classroom meetings.
7. Share the findings with the campus personnel.	Stephanie Winfrey (counselor), Olweus Committee, myself	May 2013	Condensed and analyzed survey results	Share results at two different locations: final staff meeting and course blog site.
8. Reevaluate what further steps need to be taken to reduce bullying on our campus.	Olweus committee	May 2013	Olweus Literature	Collaborate as a committee to decide based on our findings, what could be done to further reduce any negativity resulting from bullying on our campus.
9. Share the new current course of action with the campus personnel.	Sam Hicks (principal), Stephanie Winfrey (counselor), Olweus committee, myself	August 2013	Any new literature needed, training materials (if necessary).	Use this time for further encouragement and reminders that our efforts are for a very good purpose- defeating bullying at LWE.

Devloping My Action Research Project

Developing an Action Research Plan

1.      Goals and Objectives/outcomes of investigation: The goal of the classroom meetings in relation to the Olweus anti-bully program research is to more effectively reach the student population at Lakeway Elementary School and allow them more opportunities to talk about issues they are facing and how to best handle them in an appropriate manner. By implementing the meetings, teachers will in turn have an easier time in the classroom from these students since they are will spend less time dealing with discipline issues resulting from bullying. Also, the schools overall school atmosphere will hopefully improve because the students are receiving actual instruction on respecting one another in spite of differences.

2     Activities designed to achieve the objectives: Instill rules to reiterate that bullying will not be tolerated, what to do if you are a victim of bullying, or witness a bullying incident, and the benefits that can come of respecting one another and valuing the differences of all people. Also, we will you classroom meeting times to remind our students of the Mustang Code: 1) Every Mustang is Welcomed. 2) Every Mustang is included. 3) Every Mustnag is Valued. 4) Every Mustang is motivated. Have a resource that teachers can use in order to know what should be used to guide the meetings. Currently, teachers do not necessarily know how a well-run classroom meeting is conducted unless the teacher has gone to the Olweus training. Also, get more information about the program to teachers about what happens when the students work together in team-building exercises and to reach a common goal.  Our overall goal is for the students to take the reigns after about a year, and work together to show that bullying will not be tolerated by not only teachers and parents, but by their peers, also.

3   Resources and research tools needed for data gathering: I will need access to the database that includes the current student survey results, which include how often the students feel bullied, when and where the bullying issues are occurring, how they feel bullying is handled by the adults that know about the issues, and other data that allows the students to anonymously share their experiences. Furthermore, I will need Olweus literature that gives basic information and data on the program. Also I will need the feedback of the teachers already implementing classroom meetings. Another good piece of information will be meeting with the counselor to find out how other campuses run the program. The biggest tool I will need is cooperation from the classroom teachers. They will be my main contact to receive information. However, I will also need cooperation from students and parents in order to gain more insight on the views of the anti-bully program. This will be done in order to see what specific areas need to be modified.

4      Draft timeline for completion or implementation of activities: I expect to spend a semester gathering current data, interviewing teachers, and surveying students. After that semester, I will take my findings to the LWE teachers, the counselor, as well as the principal. After speaking with them and getting their feedback on my findings, I expect to finalize the research and begin to implement the new objectives for the next semester. If we can work on most of the additions for the program, (such as rules, teacher documentation, and new ideas) now, then when the next semester begins, the implementation will be much easier.

5     Persons responsible for implementation of the action research plan: The LWE classroom teachers, and our counselor, Stephanie Winfrey, will have the most responsibility of implementing the new objectives. However, I will have some responsibility of helping since I completed the research portion of the project. I will be able to help guide in some areas given that I have studied the program. Also, Sam Hicks will have some responsibility since he is the principal in charge discipline of LWE.

6     Process for monitoring the achievement of goals and objectives: Monitoring discipline referrals and general discipline in the classroom will be one way to see how students are doing. Also, each teacher’s insight into how the classroom meetings are affecting their class will be a major help. If students are being more supportive and inclusive of each other, the Olweus program and classroom meetings are doing their job. Another area to monitor would be teacher feedback. In the past, teachers haven’t had the best view of taking time out of class for classroom meetings. If we can change the view of the program to teachers, more students may be able to benefit because they will learn responsible and appropriate ways to handle conflict and differences. In addition, how students view the program is important. Students need to view it positively and not as a “stupid kid program.” Monitoring student feedback of the program will be important because of this.

      Assessment instruments to evaluate the effectiveness of the study: Teacher feedback will be important in determining the effectiveness of the research. Currently, the teachers’ view of the program is not very positive, so if the view of the teachers’ can change, then many other areas can also improve. Also, student survey results will be another good way to determine if the research implementation is successful. If students are being affected by the program positively, then the research is working well.

Week 2: Deciding on a Topic (For real this time)

Yes, I realize that last week I'd fully decided on a plan of action research. However, it has now changed. (Insert gasp here.) If you know anything about me, it's that my indecisive nature often leaves me hungry, simply because I can't decide what to eat. However, as I couldn't remain grade-less, I have decided, for sure, to conduct my action research project on the benefit of classroom meetings in relationship to the implementation of our new bully-free program, Olweus.  To avoid confusion, we always had an anti-bully policy, but this is a program, backed by data, that helps us to help the students discourage bullying on their own.

During this week, I learned more about the areas that one could possibly conduct an action research project, then I ever new was possible. I've typed the words "action research" so much that I think I'm doing it in my sleep. :) I've discovered that along with my peers, my principal has been leading us in action research without us even knowing it. (How sneaky!) I do it on a daily basis in my classroom, and with my grade level team, on the math committee, as a technology mentor, and through the RTI process. It's something that seems to have been implemented, maybe through my under-grad classes.

EDLD 5301- Research: Week 1- What is Action Research?

Image courtesy of: http://elementary-education.wikispaces.com/Action+Research

What I've Learned about Action Research:

Administrative inquiry, or action research, is the process of identifying problems and making changes according to the problems found. Inquiry is investigating information, posing questions, and requesting further information. This process needs to be conducted in a systematic way. Action research might be compared to a scientific investigation as they both require reasoning and processing skills. This process is a continuous combination of both thinking and questioning.

There are several steps in this process.

1)      The first step is to pose questions. This is a reflection on current practices.

2)      Second, there’s the collection of data to gain insight into their “wonderings”.

3)      Next, is the analyzing of data by reading topics on their inquiries.

4)      Then, comes making changes based on the leader’s findings of the data.

5)      Finally, the findings and changes are shared with others.

Based on findings, it may be necessary to repeat the process over again until the results are satisfactory. Of course, this process may be difficult for people to understand, as people are generally opposed to change. The thought, “If it’s not broken, why fix it?” comes to mind. Administrative inquiry may require changes of practices that are not necessarily “broken”.

Action research is different from traditional research in that traditional research is usually conducted by outside sources, people who are seen as having no real knowledge of what really goes on in the “trenches”.  It is a process of collecting data and making changes by the higher-ups and passing it down through the ranks. This process might mean that old, nonproductive practices stay in use longer than necessary because of the time required for the changes to trickle down through the chain of command. This process is more general and less personal.

Action research on the other hand, requires self-evaluation and reflection by the people implementing the practices. It requires a substantial amount of time to tread through the entire process, and should be followed up by the evaluation of any new implementations. If the collection of data after the evaluation is not satisfactory, it may require the process to be repeated. This process is more immediate because all the changes may take place as soon as the appropriate questioning and data collecting is finished appropriately. Also, this process leaves room for plans to be individually tailored to the specific needs of districts, schools, and classrooms. Just as in the classroom, students need to have individual needs met in order to make them successful. This process helps make organizations more successful because their needs are being met.

  
How might educational leaders use blogs?
I believe educational leaders might use blogs as a collaborative tool to share ideas. They might reflect on practices they're using at their campus or district. Other educational leaders may use the reflections and practices of their peers to adapt and implement the practices being used to increase student achievement at their school or district.