The closing of the course EDLD 5301 is only the beginning of the action research.  I feel confident that I have a plan that I can definitely start to run with when my first step is due in January of 2013.  I am hoping to grow and change my plan as needed to get the most benefit for staff and students in my finding.  I like that I have a timeline as I beleive it will keep me on schedule!  Merry Christmas friends!  Enjoy your break and see you nest year!

After having a visit with my site supervisor,  he had some good ideas on additional ways to collect data that will give my research several ways to measure the success of the training.  I wanted more ways to see how effective the training is for teachers and administrators.  It was also helpful as he is part of the CORE Team that recieves the training so he had the perspective of the staff that will be learning from the training.  I think that really helped that he is invovled with the class that I have chosen to anaylize in my action research.  Now its time to get to work in 2013!

Action Planning Template
Goal: How does the process of Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training help CORE Team teachers continue to learn and grow in behavior strategies to reduce physical restraints, and what role can the CPI trainers play in facilitating this process?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Review current data for the 2012-2013 school year	Nancy Kramer – CPI trainer	Dec. 2012-Jan. 2013	Computer	*CPI data base *District PEIMS report on restraints *State PEIMS report on restraints
Plan and create CPI powerpoint and training for Summer of 2013	Nancy Kramer and other CPI trainers in Frisco ISD	Feb.2013- May 2013	Computer CPI CD of powerpoint	Completed powerpoint and training
Present CPI training to CORE Team in Frisco ISD	Nancy Kramer and CPI trainers	June 2013- Sept. 2013	Computer Presentation Room	Completed training cycle for all CORE Teams in Frisco ISD
Take data on restraint documentation sent in by CORE Teams	Nancy Kramer	Aug. 2013- June 2014	Computer	*CPI data base *District PEIMS *State PEIMS
Analyze restraint data submitted by the CORE Team	Nancy Kramer	June 2014	Computer	*CPI data base *District PEIMS *State PEIMS

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

More Action Research
As I read more on action research this week I found that this is not only beneficial for staff development but many areas within the school.  Research in the nine areas has opened my mind to the possibilities of action research in schools.  Each area had such great examples of how effective action research can make a tremedous difference in the school climate.  It can really help make progress and put the administration in charge of the growth and development of entire staff and students.  As I continue to learn about action research I am a bit overwhelmed to embark on my own research, but I also know that this is the kind of administator I want to be so why not get started!

Action Research a Way of Life

Blogs for Educational Leaders

Blogs are a new way of life. Blogs are used for leisure, research, and a great tool for educators.  Educators can use blogs for many purposes.  I can use a blog for my Specialized Behavior Classrooms that I support.  We can use this as a tool as a way to post social skills lessons plans that all teachers can access.  As educators we can use this opportunity to share research, experience, and knowledge in the classroom.  The possibilities are endless for the use of blogs in education and life.

Action Research Overview

As I began the readings for this week on action research, I felt inspired by the process.  The reading and the philosophy of action research goes right along with my style of leadership.  I use some forms of action research currently in my position.  I like to do surveys to see the needs of the district for professional development trainings and also look at research based strategies and curriculum that can help the district move forward.   The great thing that I took away from the readings is that action research has several other steps that I am not using, that will really help lead me forward in my work. 

Action research is the practice of using engaged systematic studies of the current practice and determining through research and inquiry what action is going to be taken to move forward.  Action research is collaborative and utilizes that current staff in the building or district.  This group of people will get together to seek out change by posing questions, collecting data, and analyzing the data.  Based on their findings, this group will research the literature and best practices to determine the best methods that meet the needs of their staff and student population.  The process of inquiry will come next where the group will share their ideas and thoughts with the others to come up with a solution for change.  Actions research is powerful tool for moving the teachers forward also because they have a “buy in” for change and why the change is necessary and positive.  One of the hardest things for administrators is to gain time for inquiry.  The heftiness of the job and the constant crisis’ that pop up on a daily basis can definitely get in the way of setting aside time for inquiry.  As I look at inquiry time, it reminds me of life in general.  If we don’t take the time to take care of ourselves and do the things that are important to us several things can happen.  We can become rundown and ineffective, or we can miss out on the important things in life that we may regret later.  For me, using this thought process will  help me to be an administrator that sets aside time of inquiry and using action research as a way of life.


References:
Dana, N.F. (2009).  Leading with Passion and Knowledge:  The Principal as Action Researcher.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., and Combs. (2010).  Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools:  8 Steps From Analysis to Action.  Larchmont, NY:  Eye on Education, Inc.