More than anything this week, I've learned that our district has done a good job encouraging action research in its teachers and administrators. This makes me feel like a have a little bit of a head start in this process. Or, at least I hope that's what it means! However, I do feel like most of our district's teacher action research has been focused on students. The curriculum action research is done mostly at the district level and then we are told what we have to do with our students. I would like to see teachers have a little more flexibility to research what they think is best for their students and then make decisions. For example, our district has adopted the new Odyssey reading program. It is a computer based program that must be done for an hour each week with fidelity. That equates to the teachers losing a sixth or more of their language arts block each week. For the most part, our teachers have really bought into the system. However, some of them feel like it isn't the best program for some of their students. They don't have the authority to make a different decision for those students. Perhaps once we get statistical data, they will have the authority, but that is a lot of wasted time. Since I have chosen a curricular issue for my action research, I hope that my modeling the action research process for my teachers will encourage them to engage in the same process.

Leaders Using Blogs

Because educational leaders often don’t have a cohort group within their building or office, blogs can be an effective venue for them to communicate with others in similar positions. Principals might have peers within their district, but the other principals don’t always have the same needs. Being able to connect with peers who have similar needs can be very powerful. The elementary science curriculum director for our district follows and contributes to many blogs because she is the only person in our district with her particular position. She has found it very beneficial to be able to connect with others in a like position to share research and brainstorm possible solutions.

Using Action Research

     After our readings from this week, I have come to value action research as a tool for improving our school. I feel that our Instructional Leadership Team has done a good job of reflecting on our processes and trying to make changes. However, our changes have not always had the outcomes we’d hoped to have. I believe action research will provide us with a more systematic approach for enabling change in our school.

     The 8 Steps outlined by Harris, Edmonson and Combs (2010) in their Framework for Examining School Improvement are very explicit, and I like how the process is viewed as cyclical and ongoing - answering one question leads to another. Harris et al. (2010) also include “sustaining improvement” as part of their process. I have found that this step is often overlooked. A change is made and then leaders often forget to provide the support needed to sustain the initiative to ensure its ongoing success. As a leader, I need to make sure I don’t forget this crucial step.

     When I sit in district staff developments, I often feel like the presentation is very informative but not applicable to my school. I would like to see my district move towards action research as a means for staff development. I think schools can achieve so much more by forming Professional Learning Communities to conduct action research on needs unique to their school. By having Professional Learning Communities made up of teachers analyzing data, conducting research and developing solutions, other teachers in the school would be more likely to try the initiatives rather than if it was something presented by the principal. I believe that once our teachers participate in action research they will see the value in it, and it will become a part of their reflective teaching practices.

     One final item that struck me was the importance of my modeling and actively participating in action research once I become a school leader. I truly believe that everyone in education should always be reflecting and learning. Even in my current position, I try to show my teachers that I am learning and discovering new things. I am not complacent in my knowledge of the curriculum, classroom management, my role, etc. As I continue to develop as a leader, I need to begin to participate in action research to model and encourage the teachers to do the same. By sharing what I’ve learned through blogs and discussion boards, I can also show my teachers that I value what I’ve learned and want to benefit what others have learned.