EXAMINING THE WORK
Through various meetings with other teachers, faculty members, administrators and outside sources, it has become apparent that the traditional idea of parent involvement is low and that there is a disconnect between what the school feels is positive and good parental involvement and the what the parents believe. Thus, adding to poor student academic performance, in a mass population on my campus. . After quick emails and phone chats with my site supervisor we decided I would narrow my action research to answering the question ‘How can more parental involvement, at the secondary level, help not only the students in the short run but the community and students in the long run?’
ANALYZING DATA
I will use a bunch of data gathering activities such as internet searches for tools and resources to help in creating interview and survey questions. I will do another search looking for accessible information that shows correlations to student success rates and positive school/parent interactions and use this information to more fully develop interview questions and surveys for further data collection.
DEVELOPING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
The above information will help me design possible solutions and help me to focus my research. Using Tool 3.1 (Selecting data Collection Techniques) Harris et al. (2010) will help me distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of the various data sources used. With the results from this tool, I will settle on the different types of data that will be the most relevant. Then, I will use my information and create focus group questions for students, parents and community members to help me understand how to create a more positive and friendly school/parent interaction on my campus.
ENGAGE IN SELF REFLECTION
I will start to ask reflective questions concerning the advantages and challenges of creating and sponsoring a PTA or PTO to aide in beginning to involve more parents.
EXPLORING PROGRAMMATIC PATTERNS
Following up with more research and with answering the reflective questions, I will begin to consider a more specific solution (hopefully the PTA or PTO) and investigate the effect, pros and cons of executing these possible results. I will meet with my site supervisor, the parent liaison, other teachers and counselors to discuss the feasibility of executing the proposed solutions. Through these get-togethers, I will decide if there are enough resources, and support to follow preferred solution.
DETERMINING DIRECTION
I will reflect on my approach to executing the action research project by answering the following questions:
A. Am I clear on what I am attempting to solve?
B. Have I adequately addressed the skills and resource questions?
C. Have I established a collaborative approach to the issue?
D. Are my timelines realistic?
E. Do I have a reasonable plan to monitor the project?
F. Do I have a reasonable plan to determine the level of success? How do I evaluate if the plan is effective?
G. How will I revise and improve the plan based on monitoring and evaluation?
TAKING ACTION FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
I will organize a selected focus group of community members and possible PTA or PTO to facilitate me with this project. I will write a plan of action using the template tool 7.1 Harris et al (2010) to guide the execution of the research project. I will monitor the project with a measurable rubric decided upon by the selected focus group and present the findings of the project.
SUSTAIN IMPROVEMENT
The findings that improved better school and parent interaction and involvement achieving better student performance will be shown in a presentation and communicated with co-workers and key stakeholders including the community. I will also post the most relevant and useful findings on the school’s web site and my blog for further discussion and investigation. I will also use the processes and skills learned to increase my skills and know-how in new areas of my career.
