Action Research

In education, there are typically no easy answers.  Administrators are often forced to make difficult decisions.  Decisions that have wide-ranging ramifications call for a systematic, scientific approach.  Action research is a powerful tool that, when utilized, can lead to improved (informed) decision-making.  Action research-based decisions empower the researcher to utilize their findings to enhance their professional practice.

In the P-12 setting, administrators are expected to perform as teacher-centered leaders and model professional leadership behaviors.  The process of change within a school is one of the most important modeling roles the administrator can fill.  Common areas in which action research is conducted include:

• Curriculum
• Professional Learning Community (PLC) development
• Parental involvement (or lack of involvement)
• Professional development needs
• Instructional Practices

By utilizing action research, the 21st century school leader chooses an area in which to study, creates their action plan, collects and organizes data, analyzes and interprets the data, and then shares their findings.  Upon sharing their findings, then an intervention / implementation plan may be put into place to institute change or, in many cases, put supports into place to maintain a system that has been proven to be effective.

Action Research serves as a model that models inquiry, collaboration, reflection of practice, and analysis of data to all subordinates (faculty and students alike). It allows administrators to address their own professional practice, inspires teachers to reflect upon their practices, and ultimately improves student learning and achievement.