Action Research TOPIC/Benefit/Importance of Research Topic/ Example of Action Research topic

1. Staff development
-help improve and implement teacher’s best practices in math
-teacher growth
-support staff
How can I develop staff on better math practices in across all grade levels?

My ES did the following in staff development-1 year of continuous math coaching, modeling lessons, dialogue, giving best practices and advise, came into classrooms to checked workstations. The math coach did this for all grade levels.

2. Curriculum development
- a quality curriculum is essential in achieving educational excellence (Dana, 2009,p. 35)
-meaningful change takes place at the state, district, school and classroom (p.35)

How can a district provide a writing curriculum that will help teachers achieve excellence in teaching writing and students improve standardized test scores?

Houston ISD implemented the Empowering Writing Program 2 years age. TAKS scores have risen especially in the East Region.

3. Individual teacher(s)
-connecting with students
-improve student performance

How can I support each teacher to have an action research plan since we did not meet AYP?

4. Individual student(s)
-knowing thy student very well
-improve student performance
-individualized help for each student leads to supersede grade level expectations
-connecting with students (Dana, 2009, p.41)

How can I, as a principal best meet the needs of each student with an IEP?

This is my second year doing an IEP for each student. I usually have a card for each student which shows what they have mastered and what they need to master.

5. School Culture/Community
-builds moral
-school character

How can I improve student behavior and build character at the same time?

We have a new principal who has started the Project Class Program for the entire school. Everyone on staff had to take the training. We all get the students attention the same way, teach social skills ranging from following directions, paying attention and accepting feedback and accepting no as an answer. Each social skill has its own song and hand movements. The kids love it and we have already seen a school-wide improvement in behavior.

6. Leadership
-leads to expert level-through time
-trust
-success in the classroom

As a leader, how will I make sure that I am constantly making an effort to reach the expert level?

How can I build a good relationship between me as leader and the staff of teachers?
A best result from teachers is to have a great relationship. (Dana, 2009, p. 54-55.

7. Management
-teachers will receive their full lunchtime instead of 15”
-builds moral
-brings order

How can I assure that all the teachers are properly having their 30 minutes of lunch each day?

Teachers had to go through the lunch line with the students. Translation-15” lunch period for teachers. Now, we drop the kids at the door and they are taken care of by the principal and her assistants.

8. School performance
-improved academic excellence for low performing students

What effect does the ESL program have at said ES to meet the academic needs of the LEP? How can we help the lowest performing and LEP students improve performance on standardized tests?

My ES did not meet the AYP. Shocking because our math scores were higher the year before.

9. Social justice or equity issues

-Student able to study better on a full stomach
-increased concentration/focus

How can a school district make sure that each child starts the day properly?
I no longer hear question relating as to what time lunch is. Nor, the dreaded, “I’m hungry,” or “I did not eat anything this morning.”