Progress Update on my Action Research Plan

I have progressed more in my action research plan than I anticipated. I had a discussion with the reading teachers on my campus about the need of an assessment plan so that we are all on the same page regarding reading level assessments. They were very open to it so I started researching diferent assessments. I met with my principal about the assessments I wanted to use and shared with her some of the research regarding why I wanted to include the assessments I wanted to include. She was thrilled with the work I’d done and gave me permission to move forward. I spent many hours putting together the master copy of our reading level plan. I included everything needed for those assessments, as well as information on how to give them. I also spent some time creating forms to help the teachers if I thought they were needed. I met with my principal again and showed her my draft notebook. We found a few things we needed to tweak so I made those changes and went on to the next step of gathering the supplies. I ordered supplies needed for notebooks for all of the teachers in grades k-2 and the reading teachers in grades 3-5. I copied and put together the notebooks. I met with the teachers and discussed the contents of the notebook. We went throught the assessments and discussed which grade levels needed them and when the assessments would be given. I also explained the various forms, how to give the assessments, and we talked about the materials needed for them. Implementation began the following day. 

And the curtain closes...

Ok, not really. The curtain isn't really closing. I will continue to maintain my blog. However, this will be the last blog post I make while taking my action research class. I'm working on my final assignment for the class. It's over and I've survived! And I've walked away with new knowledge. I have learned in depth about the makings of a good action research project. I've learned how to choose a topic; I've learned the steps it takes to make it happen. I've been able to create a topic that would benefit my campus and I look forward to going through the steps and seeing the final outcome. Hmm, I also know that the answers I find will only lead me to more questions and conducting more inquiries. Even though I say goodbye to EDLD 5301 Action Research, I know I'm only beginning my journey of action research!

One step closer...

This week, I spoke with my supervisor regarding my action research plan. I discussed the steps I would take and how I thought things would progress. She was impressed. She, in fact, has been impressed with everything I've been asked to do in my grad school studies. Her only question to me was regarding my ability to change things if I saw that I needed another step or needed to switch gears. I reassured her that wouldn't be a problem and I'm posting my revised action plan WITHOUT any necessary revisions at this time. :)

Action Planning Template
Goal: What are some assessments that would provide valid reading levels for students on my campus so that guided reading and individualization of instruction is more effective, is data driven, and yields better assessment results?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Discussion regarding  knowledge of reading level assessments	Stacie Lamkin	August 2012/August 2012	Reading PLC meeting time	Notes from meeting
Literature research of various reading level assessments	Stacie Lamkin	August 2012/December 2012	Judy Knight—district consultant Dedra Carter—region xv consultant Computer for online research, relevant educational books and journals	Notes from research that includes a list of assessments that would provide relevant reading levels
Meet with principal to discuss research findings and permission to include what I’ve found in a reading level assessment binder	Stacie Lamkin	December 2012	Kim Bowie—principal Miranda Coffee—Assistant Principal	Notes from research and notes from meeting
Create a reading level assessment notebook for the teachers	Stacie Lamkin	December 2012/May 2013	Notebook, index tabs, progress monitoring forms, assessments information	Notes
Meet with principal to go over completed notebook and receive full permission to present to teachers	Stacie Lamkin	December 2012/ May 2013	reading level assessment notebook	Notes from meeting
Provide training on valid reading level assessments and notebook	Stacie Lamkin	May 2013/August 2013	Reading Level Assessment Notebook	Notes/discussion from the meeting
Implement Reading Level Assessments Notebook	ELA teachers at San Jacinto Elem	August 2013-May 2014	Reading Level Assessment Notebook Stacie Lamkin	Feedback from teachers Student data/progress
Monitor use of notebook and student data	Stacie Lamkin	August 2013/May 2014	Progress monitoring Data Meetings	Progress monitoring forms Meeting notes
Make adjustments Check validity	Stacie Lamkin	May 2014/August 2014	Meeting notes from data meetings	Changes made to notebook

This week in my grad class I'm working on specifics for my action plan. I'm sure I'll be tweaking it as I go, but here's what I've come up with so far...

Action Plan—Valid Reading Level Assessments
Goal: What are some assessments that would provide valid reading levels for students on my campus so that guided reading and individualization of instruction is more effective, is data driven, and yields better assessment results?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Discussion regarding  knowledge of reading level assessments	Stacie Lamkin	August 2012/August 2012	Reading PLC meeting time	Notes from meeting
Literature research of various reading level assessments	Stacie Lamkin	August 2012/December 2012	Judy Knight—district consultant Dedra Carter—region xv consultant Computer for online research, relevant educational books and journals	Notes from research that includes a list of assessments that would provide relevant reading levels
Meet with principal to discuss research findings and permission to include what I’ve found in a reading level assessment binder	Stacie Lamkin	December 2012	Kim Bowie—principal Miranda Coffee—Assistant Principal	Notes from research and notes from meeting
Create a reading level assessment notebook for the teachers	Stacie Lamkin	December 2012/May 2013	Notebook, index tabs, progress monitoring forms, assessments information	Notes
Meet with principal to go over completed notebook and receive full permission to present to teachers	Stacie Lamkin	December 2012/ May 2013	reading level assessment notebook	Notes from meeting
Provide training on valid reading level assessments and notebook	Stacie Lamkin	May 2013/August 2013	Reading Level Assessment Notebook	Notes/discussion from the meeting
Implement Reading Level Assessments Notebook	ELA teachers at San Jacinto Elem	August 2013/May 2014	Reading Level Assessment Notebook Stacie Lamkin	Feedback from teachers Student data/progress
Monitor use of notebook and student data	Stacie Lamkin	August 2013/May 2014	Progress monitoring Data Meetings	Progress monitoring forms Meeting notes
Make adjustments	Stacie Lamkin	May 2014/August 2014	Meeting notes from data meetings	Changes made to notebook

A Deeper Understanding...

Week two in my grad class brings a deeper understanding of what action research is.  In week two, I'm faced with the task of looking at nine areas in which are the major wonderings of many school leaders. (Dana, 2009)
Those areas are:

1.    Staff development

2.    Curriculum development

3.    Individual teacher(s)

4.    Individual student(s)

5.    School culture/community

6.    Leadership

7.    Management

8.    School performance

9.    Social justice or equity issues

I read about examples that involved focusing on new teachers. I read about examples that involved looking at veteran teachers. I read about examples that involved specific curriculum. There are so many opportunities and so many topics that can be researched. One of the most important things when looking at these areas of concern, though, is that you must focus on one thing at a time and make it something that will be most beneficial to YOUR situation.

How educational leaders can use blogs...

     I know blogging isn't a new concept, but it's a bit new to me. I've been asked to share ways educational leaders can use blogs. I know the more I think about it, the more things I will come up with but here are my thoughts on it at this point. Educational leaders can use blogs as a journal. Blogging is an excellent way to share ideas. It’s a great way to get feedback on thoughts you have—such a wide variety of people can be reached and someone, somewhere has experienced what you are thinking. It’s a great way to get things out there and receive different perspectives. Blogging allows you the opportunity to discuss current issues with colleagues near and far. It's a convenient way to share things because responses can be made at any time. Blogs can also be used to communicate with parents and students. The possibilities are endless!

What I've learned about action research...

The focus on my EDLD 5301 class at Lamar University is administrative inquiry, or action research. Action research is a process in which a problem is recognized, a strategy or plan to resolve the problem is developed, that strategy is acted on, and then analyzed. Adjustments are made following that analysis and the process continues.

http://valenciacollege.edu/faculty/development/programs/tla/actionResearch/actionResearch2012/

     Action research is a tool principals can use to take charge of their own learning. It allows them to engage in a systematic study of their own practice and take action for change based on what they learn as a result of the inquiry.  Administrative inquiry provides the opportunity to search out best practices and then use them.
Action research takes time, but it’s much like finding the time to exercise. The time invested is worth the outcome. Action research is an important ingredient for the overall professional health of an educator (Copland, 2003).

     I fall into that category of people who have ‘inquiring minds who want to know’ and I tend to look at everything I’m involved at in depth. I spend a lot of time researching things; I spend a lot of time adjusting my thoughts (and actions when needed) based on my inquiries. Therefore, I’m happy to know more about action research. As far as how I would be able to use action research on my campus, I’ve just started the process. I’m the instructional specialist on my campus and guide my teachers in RtI. I regularly meet with teachers regarding student concerns and one thing has come up over and over again. My campus tends to struggle with what to use to monitor progress. We struggle with knowing what to use to identify reading levels. I’ve been given the ZONE of Proximal Development from the Star Reading test that places students in the Accelerated Reading level on more than one occasion. That’s not a reading LEVEL (it’s a range) and it’s not a measure I would solely use to determine reading level. I have great teachers on my campus, but my teachers are unsure of the measures to use to identify things like reading levels and to really look at the data they collect. They don't have any resources at their fingertips; they've never been trained on it. Doing an inquiry on that and being able to give them guidance would benefit everyone.