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!