Back to the Future...Why?

If we were given the opportunity to visit the future many of our present decisions would change if needed.  Well, in education we can do this through the process of vertical alignment.  In education, stakeholders determine what the students are expected to know and how they need to perform at each grade level.  At my campus we will be maximizing teacher teaming to learn from each other to close student achievement gaps. Teachers will be learning from one another as they provide support for their students. This will provide me with information on what is accomplished if we have more vertical alignment amongst teachers.  Our second grade teacher and our third grade teacher will be collaboratively working to close the achievement gaps.  How much time do they need to plan vertically?  Will this change professional dialogue?  Will the teacher come back and apply the strategies?  Is it worth going Back to the Future? Follow me in this research journey to find out.

Why blog?

Blogging is another way of journaling which allows an opportunity for the writer and readers to interact and provide an insight on the current research.  I will be sharing my action research and be reviewing comments that may help my inquiry and discussion.

What is an Action Research?

Action research puts an emphasizes on a reflective process that allows for the collaboration among colleagues using inquiry and discussion. A group of people identify a problem and come up with solutions to resolve it and if they are unsatisfied they try again. The teachers find solutions to these problems in an everyday school environment and examine their work and seek opportunities for improvement. Teachers are searching for ways to influence and change instruction to benefit student academic outcomes. As leaders and role models, administrators need to make time for inquiry to grow professionally. "By cultivating this inquiry stance toward practice, principals and teachers play a critical role in enhancing their own professional growth and ultimately the experience of schooling for children" (Dana, p 11).  It is important for the staff to be involved in creating a shared vision to feel a sense of ownership.  "The inquiry process, based on logical reasoning, requires the collection of information in a systematic way" (Harris, p 5).  The process includes a needs assessments, data collection, documented steps of inquiry and a conclusion.  The purpose of research is used for improving our schools and educational strategies. The school community, teachers and administrators, can work collaboratively  in decision making and improve inquiry to make school improvements.

References
Dana, N. (2009). Leading with Passion and Knowledge. California: Corwin.
Harris, S., Edmonson, E., & Combs, J. (2010) Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 Steps From Analysis to Action. New York: Eye on Education