MY ACTION RESEARCH QUESTION/STATEMENT

"What affect does a lack of parental involvement have towards student achievement at the secondary school level?”

RATIONALE AND/OR RELEVANCE FOR THIS RESEARCH

Exploring various levels of parental involvement in secondary schools to increase student achievement is an important topic to research because most parental involvement typically takes a nosedive once students begin high school. According to research, the lack of parental involvement is the biggest problem facing public schools today.  Statistically, it has been surveyed that 86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve schools (Rose, Gallup and Elam, 1997).   Decades of research by Parent Teacher Associations show that when parents are involved students have:

·         Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates

·         Better school attendance

·         Increased motivation, better self-esteem

·         Lower rates of suspension

·         Decreased use of drugs and alcohol, and

·         Fewer instances of violent behavior.

Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University has developed a framework for defining six different types of parent involvement. This framework assists educators in developing school and family partnership programs. Most students at all levels – elementary, middle, and high school – want their families to be more knowledgeable partners about schooling and are willing to take active roles in assisting communications between home and school (Epstein, 1995, p. 703). 

Additionally, when parents come to school regularly, it reinforces the view in the child's mind that school and home are connected and that school is an integral part of the whole family's life (Steinberg).  This study will explore that connection and seek to find the impactful linkage between parental involvement and student achievement.

9 SCHOOL SETTING AREAS SUBJECT TO "ACTION RESEARCH"

• The followoing listing includes one example of action research in each of these nine areas, and just why this may be an important area for action research to be conducted:

Staff Development
      Example:  New/ 1^st Year Teacher Retention
      Relevance: 
      Current school research trends indicate that there is a high percentage turnover for teachers   
      within the first year of teaching.

Curriculum Development
      Example:  Districts Utilizing C-Scope Curriculum and Lesson Plans
      Relevance:  There have been documented cases where teachers were not using their lesson
      plans or the district’s curriculum in the proper manner, and student achievement suffered as a
      result.
 
Individual teacher(s)
     Example:  Master Teachers and Habits That Work
     Relevance:  Exploring what makes an excellent  teacher and incorporating what they’ve found to
     work as best practices

Individual Student(s)
     Example:  What Habits Make an “A” Student Excel
     Relevance:  Peer-to-Peer research to find ways in giving other students ideas to achieve
     academically in their class work.

School Culture/Community
     Example: Exploring Culture in a Community to address Low Attendance Rates
     Relevance:  Low attendance rates at schools have now become a culture and community issue
     at-large.

Leadership

     Example:  What Makes A Good Leader….Great
     Relevance:  It takes effective leaders to bring about positive outcomes.  This topic is worth
     exploring in depth for meaningful change.

Management

     Example:  The Difference Between Leading and Managing
     Relevance:  Learning and bringing awareness to the various differences in leadership and
     management will bring about effective results within school communities.

School performance
     Example:  Annual Yearly Performance (AYP):  Why Is It So Important
     Relevance:  Schools operate as a result of assessments and AYP Indicators.  This is data that
     the state uses to make yearly determinations regarding the educational system.

Social Justice or Equity Issues
     Example:  Keeping Honesty as the Best Policy
     Relevance:  A healthy dose of ethics training is an excellent method to communicate the  
      school district’s stance on public domain issues that constantly arise due to the nature of  
      the business in dealing with people and students, in general, on a daily basis.

WHY BLOG?

TOP REASONS

EDUCATIONAL LEADERS NEED TO USE BLOGS....... 

TO ORGANIZE THOUGHTS AND GENERATE NEW IDEAS IN A CREATIVE FASHION

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TO NETWORK WITH COLLEAGUES, STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC-AT-LARGE

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TO EXPRESS ABILITIES AND STRENGTHS
 
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TO ENGAGE IN CRITICAL AND HIGHER ORDER THINKING
 
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TO COMMUNICATE TECHNOLOGICALLY FOR EASIER ACCESS AND CONTACT
 
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TO SHARE A WIDE RANGE OF KNOWLEDGE WITH OTHERS TO RENDER BEST PRACTICES
 





       A*C*T*I*O*N***R*E*S*E*A*C*H

WHAT I LEARNED
                                         &
                                 HOW BEST TO USE IT

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As an administrator, I define Action Research as a hands-on, direct approach to looking at one's self to make appropriate self-assessments for any necessary adjustments and/or changes in leadership patterns that need to be made.    

More formally stated, Action Research is the process of a school administrator engaging in the systemic, intended study of their own administrative practices, and taking appropriate action for positive change or improvements based on the results of that inquiry (Dana, 2002). 

Action Research can best be used to:

                   1.  Improve administrator training

                   2. Enhance staff development, and

                   3. Unify professional staff.

Frankly, the ultimate purpose for Action Research is to delve into an administrator's leadership practices , and reflect on these practices, to promote continuous, positive change for improvement. 

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Overall, my Philosophy of Education advocates a well-rounded approach to cultivating academic and social guidance and instruction.  As a teacher, I desire to be effective in educating students because it is in direct alignment and correlation to my personal educational attainment motto, which is "Education is the key to opening the doors of success, and one must be determined to get it, and capitalize upon it, in order to achieve."  As a professional in the Field of Education, it is imperative for us as teachers and administrators to always work to make the effective educating of our students a TOP PRIORITY.

BLOOM WHERE YOU'RE PLANTED ...

AND USE FOR EFFECTIVE LESSON PLAN CONSTRUCTION!

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Classroom Management is the key component for any educational setting, but especially in the classroom.  Creating a safe environment is the number one priority, and then learning can take place.  This can be accomplished through setting a positive tone in a class, and preventing problem behaviors through a series of interesting and engaging curriculums that would include all students in the classroom so that their needs can be met.  An environment where all students can learn is the goal of implementing good classroom management.