Action Research

Having been a teacher for the past 7 years, I have sat through numerous hours of professional development. Each one is no different from the others. We sit and listen, however listlessly, as the presenter/speaker -who has not been in a classroom or administrative position in several years -tells us what we should be doing in our classrooms. Maybe we learned something. Maybe we didn't.

In contrast to the professional development "norm", we have action research. When presented with the action research assignment, I was intrigued. It calls for a "hands-on" approach to issues, problems, etc., rather than a "sit down, listen, then do" approach. With action research, the administrator engages in a thorough study of his own administrative practice and, based on what he learns from his inquiry, makes changes accordingly. This type of inquiry involves the practitioner asking, "What can I do to make this better?" not "What can YOU do?" It is self-reflective and self-motivated. I am certain that using this organizational tool will allow me the discipline and focus needed to complete my inquiry of parental involvement, or lack thereof, at my campus.