Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan

Objective: To determine if implementation of certain real world assignments that are linked to real world credentials for students increase postsecondary success or readiness.

Action Step 1: Select three preps of Senior English classes and introduce participants to the requirements for their individual portfolios containing but not limited to: job applications, resumes, cover letters, career research projects, college applications, scholarship applications, college essay writing and design.
Person Responsible: Sheri Ilo, 3 additional Senior English Instructors and Site Supervisor
Timeline: September 1, 2010 – September 30, 2010
Needed Resources: The Master Schedule and Student List
Evaluation: Classes will be identified by mid-September.

Action Step 2:Indentify Preps that will participate in this research study.
Person Responsible: Sheri, Participating teachers
Timeline: September 15, 2010 – September 30, 2010
Resourses: Glencoe Literature Book and Ancillaries, Live Writing; Writer’s Notebook (Fletcher), Writer’s Inc., Senior Class Career Packet
Evaluation: Student successful completes job application, cover letter, resume, and career research project; graded with appropriate rubric.

Action Step 3:Students begin College portfolio with at least five college applications, three scholarship application with fafsa pin and application completed, college essay writings and design.
Person Responsible: Sheri, Participating teachersTimeline: October, 2010 – May, 2011
Needed Resources: Glencoe Literature Book and Ancillaries, Live Writing; Writer’s Notebook (Fletcher), Writer’s Inc., Senior Class Career Packet
Evaluation: Students must update portfolio with acceptance letters and scholarship awards.

Action Step 4:Portfolio evaluations.Person Responsible: Sheri, Participating teachers
Timeline: Every nine weeks between October, 2010 – May, 2011
Needed Resources: Time during PLC (collaborative team meetings)
Evaluation: Each class will discuss progress of college/career portfolio each semester.

Action Step 5:Interview teachers to gather feedback and their daily observations.
Person Responsible: Sheri, Participating teachers
Timeline: December, 2010 and March, 2011
Needed Resources: Interview protocol
Evaluation: Interview notes will be recorded.

Action Step 6:Collect and discuss student work during scheduled PLC’s.
Person Responsible: Sheri, Participating teachers
Timeline: Every nine weeks between October, 2010 – May, 2011
Needed Resources: Student work
Evaluation: A portfolio of student work before and after the project will be maintained to determine growth over time.

Action Step 7:Disseminate research findings.
Person Responsible: Sheri, Site Supervisor
Timeline: July – August, 2011
Needed Resources: Student work
Evaluation: Action research findings will be shared with the faculty during a faculty meeting and will be available through the creation of a summary report.

Template adapted from the Harris et al. text.

Dana, N.F. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: the principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris et al. (2010) Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps from analysis to action. Larchmont. NY: Eye on Education.