The following are nine common areas of passion for action research projects as identified by Nancy Fichtman Dana. These nine passions are listed below.
1. Staff Development is the first area identified. An example of action research for staff development is peer coaching. According to Dana, 2009, peer coaching helps veteran teachers to grow and learn while allowing the principal to help with the process. We all see teachers who have taught for many years get stuck in the same routine over and over again. Peer coaching would allow for inquiry and implementation of professional development among veteran and new teachers. Researching how other schools are progressing will benefit all teachers.
2. Curriculum Development is the second area identified. An example of action research for curriculum development is, "how do we increase student writing scores for state mandated testing using staff teams and the updated Writing Academy curriculum?” Our fourth grade state writing test scores increased last year from 88% to 99%. The use of action research was effective in analyzing data and implementing the proper techniques that teachers used to provide material to the students. Students had a deeper understanding of what was expected of them, and they were able to follow through.
3. Individual Teachers is the third identified area. An example of action research for individual teachers is, “What type of support help new teachers succeed?” (Dana, 2009, p. 40) This is so important for administrators to research. Our new teachers can become overwhelmed very quickly. Teachers fresh out of college think they know how things really work, until that infamous first day of school. Making certain our teachers knows what to expect and how to get help should they need it, is crucial for success.
4. Individual Students is the fourth area identified. An example of action research for individual students is, " what effect does our title program have on struggling readers? "My campus does use this action research project with a staff team. We are always looking for ways to improve our title program where it will have the greatest impact for all students. We are constantly meeting and asking vital questions about what is working and what is not working.
5. School Community/Culture is the fifth passion. An example of an action research project that my campus actually implements is, communicating among grade levels for the understanding and expectations of all students from grade level to grade level. We do have a staff day set aside to place students in groups of academic readiness for the following year. Before the next year begins, we receive that information from the prior grade level and we see what progress the students made, what interventions were needed for that success, and when the school year starts, we assess where their academic levels are at that time.
6. Leadership is the sixth identified area. An example of an action research project for leadership is, “How do we develop curriculum leaders?” (Dana, 2009, p. 54) This is an important research plan as we always need to find ways to make sure our student curriculum is up to date with the ever changing world and how our students are being assessed. Inquiring about what our district needs in means of curriculum should be an ongoing inquiry, research, and implementation process.
7. Management is the seventh area that was identified. An example of action research for management is, "how will we find a way to remove computer and library from the PE rotation and place them back into the teachers’ weekly schedule, and locate funds to rehire a teacher to allow for the music program to be put back into place?” I feel very passionately about this topic and do plan to revisit this idea when my Master’s program is complete, if not before.
8. School Performance is the eighth area identified. An example of action research of school performance is, “What actions can our faculty take to improve reading achievement of our lowest quartile students?” (Dana, 2009, p.59) This research is important and our campus actually uses this action throughout the school year. We do have staff teams set up to meet on staff days to ensure that reading classes and intervention classes are being utilized and implemented for all students at all levels.
9. The ninth passion identified is Social Justice. An example of action research for social justice is, "how do we meet the needs of our ESL students?” Our district, as all districts, have to make certain that our English as Second Language learners are receiving instruction that they not only understand, but also receiving instruction that challenges them and makes them life-long, successful learners.
References
Dana, F. N. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
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