Action Research: What I learned & how I might use it

In action research, you seek out change, reflect, collect and analyze data, make changes based on information gathered and share the findings with others. Action research is a collaborative inquiry study that breaks down a problem so solutions can be formed. It is a collaborative effort of the administrators, teachers, and sometimes other people. Inquiry is performed from the inside of a school instead of by ‘outsiders’. The ones involved with the plan have a sense of ownership of the plan and solutions. It can be used for the campus or district level.

Action research can be used numerous times and in so many ways. As a teacher, I have been using action research for my classroom. Along with the other grade level teachers, we use last year’s TAKS scores and current benchmarks by breaking them down and identifying the problem areas. The action research can be used to investigate what is causing the problems and possible solutions. Having more than one person formulating solutions generates creativity and new ideas.

As an administrator, I can use action research for improving parent involvement, improving the Special Education referral process for our campus, improving campus climate, and researching the benefit of  mainstreaming Special Education students versus pulling them for Resource classes.