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.