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.