Action Research

Action Research (administrative inquiry) is the process in which an admistrator intentionally studies what is going on in their school and based on data they collect, the appropriate changes are made.  Through administrative inquiry the principal is an active learner as he/she seeks out a needed change.  The administrative inquiry process incorporates 4 important steps:  pose a question, analyze data and read literature based on the question, make changes based on the data, and share findings with others.  The thing I love the most about this process is that the principal is an active learner and an active participant in the needed change.  Instead of having an outside consultant observe and present findings to the principal, the leader actually studies his/her own school and its unique situations based on data and makes changes based on their own school.  The leader learns with their school and the changes that they make are very intentional.  This process allows for the examining and reexamining of data to create a foundation for change in a school.

Action Research is a process that I believe can be used for many different situations.  The first example that comes to mind is inclusion teaching.  I believe that special education students need the most inclusive learning environment possible.  Action research could be used research my school and the students in my school building.  Through the data that is found, I could improve scheduling, co-teach classrooms, and how to best implement this for my students.  I believe studying the students as well as the teachers to find perfect matches would greatly benefit all students.  Action Research could also be used for specific curriculum skills.  Instead of using research based instruction, a principal could research the skill and find where his/her students are struggling the most.  Once they find this information, they then can make the changes that are needed in order to meet the needs of all students.  

Action Research could also be used when making decisions for the technology vision for a campus.  The principal could be an active learner with his/her students and teachers as they walk through how to implement appropriate and relative technology for their school.  The principal would pose the question, "What is the technology vision for our school?", and then study the data collected from their school and then make the decision based on their individual campus.  

There are many applicable uses of Action Research in the field of education--and I hope to include this practice as I grow professionally as an education administrator.