Here's the Scoop on Action Research. . .

Are you interested in a valuable tool that focuses on student achievement, supports reflective practice, and provides opportunities to work, discuss, and solve problems with peers? Action research, or administrative inquiry, is the one tool that allows principals to grow professionally in a meaningful way, while also becoming a role model for teachers and students on their campus. A primary benefit is that it facilitates change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry. The process begins with posing questions or "wonderings," collecting data to gain insights into the wonderings, analyzing the data along with reading relevant literature, making changes in practice based on new understandings developed during inquiry, and sharing findings with others. Professional Learning Communities can enhance the possibilities for conducting an inquiry and cultivating a community of inquirers. It's school-based professional development at its best! Other contexts for facilitating the development of action research are university coursework, superintendent/district meetings, and campus leadership teams.

What are the benefits of action research?

• Provides principals with a meaningful way to grow professionally
• Principals become role models of instructional leadership for teachers and students in their building
• Encourages best practices to flourish at your school
• Empowers teachers as they become a part of the decision-making and problem solving process
• Develops collegial relationships on campus
• Educators become reflective practitioners

I am looking forward both personally and professionally to exploring this process, developing and applying solutions to an issue or problem at my school, and, above all, impacting student achievement!