Action Research for Educational Leaders

Action Research

Action research or administrator inquiry begins with a deep look into an administrator’s district, campus, or even their own leadership.  Administrators first begin their inquiry by asking questions and or wondering about their own practice.  Administrators research an area of concern by collecting and evaluating data, investigating what others have found through a variety of literature, and sharing ideas amongst colleagues or peers.  A need for change has become apparent at this point.  Administrators activate a change after they have constructed a plan.  This change is monitored and updated, as needed, throughout the process.   The value of action research is greater when research is shared with others.   This spirals back into the cycle of another administrator taking on a similar problem at their campus.  Administrators must become, and maintain, an active role throughout this process.  In addition to their role, administrators often times must recruit teachers, and or other professionals within the district to venture with them through this process.  These other professionals help support, implement, and evaluate a plan.  By working together as a team, the research meshes with professional development at many levels.  Action research is a very important strategy for administrators to learn, use and guide their own school improvement.  

How can I use action research?

As a future administrator, I plan to use action research to develop a process to allow data to drive instruction in a healthy way.   Data and testing have fallen into a negative light.  I would like to help link data analysis to success in the classroom.  This is a process that will take support from many professionals in my district.  

How might educational leaders use blogs?

Educational leaders might use blogs as a way to implement action research. With the lack of time in a school day to meet with other professionals on your team a blog creates a way to interact at any point throughout the day.  One of the nice things about a blog is it convenient.  A blog can be posted and comments can be made when convenient for the other individuals working with you.  Also a blog is a great way to share research with other administrators who may be facing a similar issue or problem at their campus.  By following a blog the next administrator can feel like they have been a part of the process all along.