TOOL 7.1 Action Planning Template

GOALS: 1. Insure that the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is practicing meaningful communication between parents and teachers.
2. The PTO is seen as a positive organization, focused on increasing student achievement.

Action Step(s)/Activities
1. Introduce the newly formed PTO to staff during faculty meeting during professional development days before the start of 2010-11 school year.

2. Introduce parents to the newly formed PTO through letters sent home to encourage parent participation.

3. During the first meeting the PTO. Present communication goals of the PTO and achievement goals of students. The presentation will include the connection between parental involvement and student achievement.

4. Attend monthly PTO meetings to observe communication between the organization members using active listening.

5. End of year evaluation of student achievement. Monitor student achievement through benchmark testing and state testing.

Finding a Wondering

This week of study into action research involved find an inquiry. I watched videos from educational administrators that have used action research. The educational experts how to use inquiry and gave examples of their own action research topics. The reading of Nancy Dana's Leading with Passion and Knowledge lead me on my journey of discovering my topic for action research. Dana's text named nine areas question or inquiry. They are:
1. Staff Development
2. Curriculum Development
3. Individual Teacher
4. Individual Student
5. School culture/community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School Performance
9. Social Justice

My topic for action research is:
How is the newly implemented parent-teacher organization benefit student achievement?

The Blogging Educational Leader

Education leaders can use blogger to report finding of their own action research. Blogs can help leaders form professional learning communities. In education, collaboration between teacher and leaders is essential to meet the needs of all students. The use of a blog is one more way to allow open lines of communication between colleagues.

Action Research Essentials

Action Research is a process in which participants examine their own educational practice systematically and carefully using the techniques of research. Action research begins with identifying the problem or concern of the practitioner. The practitioner analyzes data, reads relevant literature, and makes changes to their educational practice. Elliot (1988) describes action research as a continual set of spirals consisting of reflection and action. Action research differs from traditional educational research in many ways. First, the research is done from within the organization. The research is not from an outsider. Action research is cyclical. The practitioner is continual asking questions, applying relevant research, and making changes to educational strategies. Action research is a personal process in which the educational leader is making an effort to change practices to improve the school.