My first official action research plan

My inquiry first began when I ended last school year thinking I never want to have cafeteria duty again. The headache I was left with each day was one I could not forget. I just had my first child and I remember thinking I hope if I ever have lunch with my son it is not in a cafeteria like this! As I began my Master’s class course work I began to see my campus in a different light. I really started to look at it through the eyes of an administrator. Instead of just blowing the cafeteria off as a problem I wanted to try and fix the problem. Then this summer I attend a professional development course given by Marcia Tate. The session was titled “Shouting Won’t Grow Dendrites”. She described several atmospheres of a campus and included the cafeteria. After enrolling in this course and reading the management section of the Dana text I could not find a topic more applicable than cafeteria procedures.

I decided to find out if the cafeteria procedures were just a personal tick of mine or if it was something that was actually affecting student learning. At this point I began to interview teachers and parents. I also analyzed data provided by teachers. I found that parents began to attend school lunches less often as the school year progressed. I also found that test scores in subjects given in the afternoon were much lower compared to the morning. When I saw that there was a need I knew I needed to act on this research.

My plan begins by writing new procedures for our cafeteria. These procedures include having soft instrumental music playing and students are not to talk above the music. The procedures also include teachers acting as "severs" when a student needs something so that students stay seated. The atmosphere of the cafeteria will be described as "restaurant like". There are also set entrances and exits. In addition there are set ways for getting seating and cleaning up trays. After these procedures are presented to the staff the staff will practice the procedures. Then the staff members will teach students the procedures. The students will practice the procedures a minimum of three times with an administrator present.

After the procedures are in place I will monitor the research each nine weeks. I will do this by giving surveys to teachers, students, and parents. I will also analyze afternoon test scores as compared to last year. Lastly I will compare parent attendance during lunches compared to last year.

Can't wait to share my findings!

Blog Use for Educational Leaders

There are a few ways that educational leaders can use blogs. One way is the way that most other people use blogs, as a journal. Leaders can journal about their daily successes/struggles as a way of reflecting.
Dana (2009) shared another way educational leaders can use blogs. She suggested using a blog to "model a love writing". (Dana, 2009, p. 89) As an educational leader you should show that you are a "head learner". Using a blog is a great way to model a "up to date" way to write.

Action Research

Action research is defined by Dana (2009) as seeking out change and reflecting on your practice by posing questions. (Dana, 2009, p. 2) I really like how Dana (2009) refers to action research as inquiry. I can relate to Dana that the word research brings about a negative connotation. As I discuss action research, like Dana, I will interchange it with inquiry. Using the word inquiry also helps the general public to better understand action research. Most all of us have been exposed to the word inquiry as opposed to action research. In summary, action research is much like problem solving. Action research involves reflecting on a situation, posing a solution, implementing the solution, and then reflecting again. Action research is a cycle that every principal should practice. Dana describes it as the “spiral of reflection and action”. (Dana, 2009, p. 5)

I am very excited to apply the theory of inquiry or action research as an administrator. Action research allows a principal to truly be engaged in the processes of the school. I like the way action researching requires a person to admit that something can be done even better. As an administrator I will make it a goal to reflect on issues on my campus and seek ways to better improve them. I will be an action researcher!