Action Research Project

1) Setting the Foundation
This was done with my principal over the phone. We discussed three potential topics for the research and settled on the topic indicated. With the changes being made by the state to the high school graduation plan it is becoming more difficult for students to have time in the schedule to take elective courses. The expectation from the state, that high schools be training students with skills for the 21st century, the lack of opportunity for students to take CTE courses whose main focus is the development of those skills may have an impact on graduation rates.
2) Analyzing Data
Data will be gathered from the campus data specialist to determine the number of students who participated in a sequence of CTE courses over their high school year for the graduating classes of 2009 & 2010. Those classes graduation rates will be reviewed to determine if participation in CTE courses were an indicating factor for graduation success.
3) Developing a Deeper Understanding
A review of data and literature from the Center for Career & Technology Education (a national organization), Texas State Board of Education Career & Technology Education department will be conducted. Interviewing local school district Career & Technology Education Directors will give an overview of the changes experienced in the area over the last few years.
4) Engage in Self Reflection
I have been teaching in the area of CTE for 10 years at the high school level. Prior to that I taught for 10 years at the community college level. Before entering the classroom I was the Training and Staff Development Manager for a major corporation. My background allows me a unique view of what has been and is currently being taught in classrooms today and what skills need to be developed for students to find success in career fields such as business and marketing. Questions for reflection might include:
How is CTE curriculum aligned with “real” skills used in the work place?
How does CTE curriculum support traditional academic skills?
What skills are “new” in the work place that need to be incorporated into the classroom?
5) Exploring Programmatic Patterns
In today’s world of tight budgets and teacher layoffs, schools are struggling with maintaining the status quo and continuing or improving their current accountability ratings. With changes on the horizon, such as end of course exams, schools may not have the resources or desire to take on changes in CTE courses. Potential recommendations in this research may require schools to increase spending in the area of technology and training for teachers and counselors.
6) Determining Direction
The research question is taking a look at students who have previously participated in a sequence of CTE courses and how that may or may not have impacted graduation rates. The second direction is, assuming the research does show an impact, how to educate and encourage counselors, parents and students into the courses.
7) Taking Action for School Improvement
The major goal for any high school is to graduate students who are prepared to meet the challenges of the future; whether that be college or the work place. The goal of this research is to create change which can have a bottom line impact on graduation rates.
8) Sustain Improvement
As the state continues to implement changes in the requirements for graduation, it will become imperative that schools find ways to meet those demands and maintain the established standards. As additional requirements for demonstrated skill development are added, CTE courses can become an integral part to help schools meet those standards.
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Week 2 Research Reflections

This week I was able to do some initial research on the topic I was interested in using for the action inquiry. I was surprised at the available information and the fact that there is a lot of information already out there. I have been teaching in career and technology for 10 plus years in public schools and have seen very little support, at least in the state of Texas, for the academic value of career and technology classes. I am planning on using the available information that is from lots of different geographical areas but plan to set up a research project that focuses on the
highly successful high school I have been teaching at for the last 6 years. I hope to bring some results to the topic that will help to influence the counseling given to high school students as they make course selections in preparation for high school graduation and into their future.

How Educators might use Blogs

While I have not spent much time "blogging" I have been reading the blog of one of my pastors as he takes a sabbatical through Europe. The purpose of the sabbatical is spiritual renewal but he is using the blog to share the experience first hand with the congregation through the blog.

As educators I think setting up a blog between new principals would be a great way to share experiences and encourage one another. New principals within a district could blog about their campus and what leadership opportunities they were involved in. It would be a great tool for the district to see how things were communicated, different leadership styles across the district and where there might be "holes" in the process. Sometimes in education we are somewhat an island unto ourselves, even in administration! Blogging could be a great communication tool to share issues and problems and different approaches to solving or dealing with them.

Action Research

I think the only kind of research that really makes a difference is the kind that spurs an organization or individuals into action. I really like the term used in the text (Dana, p. 2) "inquiry" rather than research. This implies that the researcher is really inquiring into a situation or problem or issue they are dealing with and looking for information to help move them in a positive direction. Sometimes the result anticipated from research is just more information looked at from a new perspective. I think when we use the terms "action inquiry" we have expanded what our purpose is with the activity. The principal or educator participating in "action inquiry" is actively involved in the process that is creating the data or information and is seeking to know more than just information but a way to take action in the situation. issue or problem. I am excited about the work that will be shared in this course across the blogs and the discussion board. Learning from others is the fastest way for ideas to migrate, grow and expand into better ideas and into further action.

Action Research

This post is about action research. I like the terminology of administrative inquiry better. I think the term research scares people and they don't think they know how to conduct "research" but the other terms (administrative inquiry) allows people to see the research as an inquiry. By seeing the research as an inquiry teachers and campus leaders alike can help to form questions or inquiries that are relevant to their campus.