After a bit of tweeking...

After meeting with my site supervisor and taking the advice of a few of my peers, I have made a few more updates to my research plan. I am sure these changes won't be the last. I look forward to continuing my growth as an action researcher and becoming a better leader because of it. Thank you to those that commented and helped me create a stronger plan of action. I can't wait to see the results and success of the students in the end.

Goal: What actions can third grade science teachers take to improve student achievement on district science tests?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Analyze the results of sub pops for areas of improvement.	self	February 1, 2012 February 29, 2012	Item analysis of third grade test scores along with results of each sub pop.	Focus on sub pops that are weak and conduct research to see what others with similar results have chosen to implement.
Read literature on science methods that are relevant.	Self	February 1, 2012 February 29, 2012	Computer, articles	Choose several methods to implement that fits the needs of our learners to share with my team memebers.
Meet with third grade science teachers, and campus instructional specialist.	self	February 1, 2012 March 2, 2012	Third grade science benchmark scores	Brainstorm and discuss other possible methods of instruction besides what I researched with third grade teachers. Decide on a plan to implement.
Analyze content quiz scores to see if growth has occurred.	Teachers, Self	March 2, 2012 May 31, 2012	Quiz data	If students’ science scores have improved, continue with current strategies. If scores have not improved, implement a new method of instruction.
Share findings with others during PLC or team meeting.	Self, teachers	June 2012	Test data, quiz scores, time to meet with teachers and principal	Deliver information to teachers and principals. Set expectations for following year.

Revised Plan

Goal: What actions can third grade science teachers take to improve student achievement on district science tests?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Meet with third grade science teachers, and campus instructional specialist.	Self	February 1, 2012 February 29, 2012	Third grade science benchmark scores	Discuss possible methods of instruction with third grade teachers. Decide on a plan to implement.
Read literature on science methods that are relevant.	self	February 1, 2012 March 2, 2012	Computer, articles	Choose a method to implement that fits the needs of our learners.
Analyze content quiz scores to see if growth has occurred.	Teachers, Self	March 2, 2012 May 31, 2012	Quiz data	If students’ science scores have improved, continue with current strategies. If scores have not improved, implement a new method of instruction.
Share findings with others during PLC or team meeting.	Self, teachers	June 2012	Test data, quiz scores, time to meet with teachers and principal	Deliver information to teachers and principals. Set expectations for following year.

Action Research Plan

Goal: What actions can third grade science teachers take to improve student achievement on district science tests?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Pose questions (wonderings)	Self	February 1, 2012 February 29, 2012	Third grade science benchmark scores	Discuss possible methods of instruction with third grade teachers. Decide on a plan to implement.
Collect Data	Teachers, district science coordinator	February 1, 2012 March 2, 2012	computer, email, benchmark data, Check-up quiz data	Collect quiz scores, bench marks, class averages
Analyze Data and Make Changes	Teachers, Self	March 2, 2012 May 31, 2012	computer, email, benchmark data	If students’ science scores have improved, continue with current strategies. If scores have not improved, implement a new method of instruction.
Share findings with others	Self	June 2012	Test data, quiz scores, time to meet with teachers and principal	Deliver information to teachers and principals.

Topics that Make you go "HMMM?"

Week two of Research was very ensightful. I completely changed my focus for research based on the advise of being interested in what you are researching, researching a topic that is relevant, and student success. Math scores on my campus are not a problem. We are ranked second in the district, so yes, there is room for improvement, but we are headed in the right direction. On the other hand, my campus ranks second from the bottom based on our latest assessment scores. I have yet to discuss the change of interest with my principal, but am hoping she will agree with me on the need for focusing on science.

Benefits of Blogging

Blogging can be used by educational leaders to share ideas, conduct inquiry, and connect with other educational leaders worldwide. It is sometimes difficult for administrators to collaborate face to face so blogging would provide an opportunity for collaboration to take place.

Action Research

Action research is a process in which administrators and or teachers identify a concern or point of interest within the school or classroom, research the topic through relevant literature to gain insight, collect and analyze data related to the concern, make a change in practice based on findings in the data, share findings with colleagues, and continue to monitor progress after changes are made to ensure success of students and or professionals. Specific areas of concern within the school are targeted by professionals who have a personal relationship with the school community, and through meaningful and continual research, methods of change are created that target the problematic areas and will be more beneficial to the learning community as a whole.

I feel to be an effective leader in today’s education system, teachers and administrators should conduct action research. I will be using action research to determine if third grade math scores on our campus are increased through our implementation of Accelerated Instruction time. Accelerated Instruction (A/I) is a 45 minute block where in school tutoring takes place. During this time, teachers will target areas of weakness for their group of students or provide enrichment activities to stimulate the needs of higher achieving students. Scores will be reevaluated and adjustments made as needed. I will also be more diligent in reflecting on the decisions I make and the results of those decisions. I will continue to use action research to grow personally and professionally.