AR Update

Action Research Project Title:  In what ways does the DAEP’s discipline and education model deter or attract repeat students?

Blog URL:   http://brentflack.blogspot.com/

Number of AR Project Documented Hours:  130

AR Project Summary (at least 250 words):

 In the beginning of my Action Research I devised a way that we could all meet and get on the same page.  I provided a Staff development that gave all the information that I will be needing and what results I was expecting.  Everybody was exited to help.  We even decided to meet every two weeks to make sure that the process is still working smoothly.  Documentation is taken weekly by each teacher and reviewed.  We have also been able to interview every student that comes in and goes out.  Our repeat students have also been questioned further, as well have they’ve seen further consequences and interventions. 

I have individually interviewed each faculty member myself and got the general climate for the program.  At times the teachers have seen to lose hope with students and the process and we have had to get them back on track, but the end is still in mind and seems desirable.

The Counselor and I have also seen a need to talk to each student individually as to get them to understand their general place in life; personally and educationaly.  The students over all belief is that they always believed they would graduate no matter what they did or did not do.  The reality of their actions was sobering to them and they seemed to appreciate it. 

The observations that I encountered in the classrooms were inconsistent with each teacher.  Some require a stricter line than others.  Some techniques work and some don’t.  My plan was to get a consistant discipline across the board.  Through coaching I have gotten them closer to bridge the gap, however when the stress level rises teachers retreat to what is comfortable and easiest.

I think that my research is going great.  By the end of STAAR testing I should be complete and able to present to the group some of my findings so that we can draw up a plan for next year.

5301 Reflection

At the beginning of this course I was oblivious to the amount of research and data that is involved in the everyday workings of being an administrator.  As a teacher sometimes to me it seemed like the administrators came up with their ideas and plans out of thin air.  Now I can see the pain staking actions it takes in order to have plans that support a common goal in order do what is best for the entire student body and faculty. 

The readings were very informative.  I was introduced to some new techniques and theories behind what works best.  Some things that I read weren’t new to me but it was helpful to be reassured that the measures I was taking had validity in their practice.  Sometimes it is nice to step back and map out your thoughts on a matter, in these readings you get to see a collection of thought processes that have already been mapped out for you.  It’s good to know that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel.  I loved learning about (Mind Tools) Kurt Lewin’s steps for conducting a “Force Field Analysis” they are as follows: 1) Describe the current situation 2) Describe the proposed change 3) Identify what will happen if no change occurs 4) Identify the forces driving the proposed change 5) Identify the forces resisting the change 6) Determined whether the change is viable 7) If the change is viable, what is needed for implementation. That is a method that I took note of and will use often.  The situations that we read about in the week 2 assignment that showed how three different leaders handled three different problems was enlightening as well.  It helps leaders when they see the trial and error of others that have proceeding him.  If we can learn from others then we are doomed for failure.

I have always been good at researching subject matters and situations on the internet.  In this class I found a lot of ways that I could fine tune my searchers in order to find a more precise answer.  The digital world can be filled with information that is unreliable.  This class showed me a better way that I can recognize the quality information.  In some instances time is valuable so the ability to find the right answer quicker is paramount.

I thought the assignments and activities were excellent in their order.  Each assignment and reading built upon the previous.  At no time did I fill overwhelmed or unaware of what was expected.  I feel I learned more from these assignments because I got to use this as a way to collaborate with my Principal and peek into what his day to day is all about. Hands on experience like that are priceless.  The assignment for week 3 where we used a table to lay out and design a plan was genius.  I love finding better ways for organization and allowing me a simple way of presenting my plan to stakeholders. 

The discussion board was interesting; it allowed me to see what was important to other teachers at other districts at a variety of grade levels.  I still found however those problems that affect their schools also affect mine.  Some other individuals on the message boards seem to focus on situations at their school that I find easy to remedy.  Not because their problem is easy or unnecessary, but because my experiences in education has prepared me for certain situations.  As I am sure that some of the other students felt about my research.  It is always good to collaborate with minds of different backgrounds.

In the past I have never been much of a blogger.  I barely even read them.  Having to participate in making one gave me the chance to find that it is a valuable tool.  Blogs can effectively allow me to reach more stakeholders with in the district.  I can see myself use it as a tool for instruction and to get grasp on the feelings that others have pertaining to a localized situation.  Blogs could also help spread the word on the progress of different types of research that are being done in order to make the district more effective.

Mind Tools. Force Field Analysis. 2010. Retrieved from

              http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_06.htm

DAEP Action Research Plan

School Performance: In what ways does the DAEP’s discipline and education model deter or attract repeat students?

Goal: I want to create strategies to improve student academic success and support students in not returning to the alternative school.   Through my research I hope to find what would make alternative school a deterrent for certain behaviors and what would make our current character 

education program better for students’ moral character. 

ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/ RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIME LINE	Benchmarks/ ASSESSMENT	Revisions to SIP/PIP based on monitoring and assessments
Staff Development: Classroom Management Training	The Well-Managed Classroom text and training resources	Mr. Flack and Jeff Bryan-Principal	Initial training – 1 week (beginning of the year staff dev. work days	Successful application of Consistent rules in the classroom.
Receive documentation of daily disciplinary issues and actions taken	DAEP Data Collection Database	Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Proper interventions and consistent rules were used.
Measurement of Students academic progress	Grades from main campus teachers and DAEP teachers	Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Grades - review 3 times (at Intake, Review, and right before they are sent back to main campus
Teacher interviews	DAEP Faculty	Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Survey teacher experience using a consistent flat behavior intervention process.
Student Interviews	DAEP students	Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Survey behavior and educational system responsiveness
Meet with school cite counselor	Mrs. Pinnell	Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Determine any change in student social, emotional, or academic behaviors
Self-discipline and social skills building	Mrs. Pinnell, DAEP teachers, and students	Mrs. Pinnell and Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Engaging and informative social skills lessons for teachers to deliver to students on weekly basis
Classroom discipline observations	DAEP Faculty	Mr. Flack and Mr. Bryan	Ongoing 2012-2013	Successful implementation of consistent behavior interventions and documentation
Literature on DAEP and discipline management systems	Books/articles	Mr. Flack	Ongoing 2012-2013	Review literature connecting discipline and classroom management. Also look into types of teaching styles in a unique classroom.

Week 2

In the week 2 assignments for Action Research I got to see experts that have different philosophies on how to solve situations with research.  I got to here about problems or circumstances that they were faced with what they did to rationalize with affirmed data. 
This week I also got to fine tune the subject matter of my action research. Working at our district's alternative school I want to complete my action research on strategies to improve student academic success and support students in not returning to the alternative school.  The students will most benefit from this action research because it will help them become more successful at their regular campus by building self-discipline through research based strategies.  Through my research I hope to find what would make alternative school a deterrent for certain behaviors and what would make our current character education program better for students’ moral character. 

Week 1 - What is Action Research?

Action research is an exciting process.  Before this class I was familiar with the process of this, but unaware about the theories behind it.  My school district uses the Baldridge System of continuous improvement.  At first this system was a hard sale, but over the course of the last two years it has improved the attitude of everyone involved.  We all feel we have a part in the decision making and of our own destiny.   Action research adds a dynamic to any work environment.  The culture it creates in a school district gives a system of empowerment to all of the stakeholders involved.  Students love to acknowledge whether the lesson was effective and teaching them the objective.  They feel they have the power to choose how they learn.  As a teacher you love getting that information back from the students.  It allows you to step back and reflect on things you did wrong and things that are on the cusp of being a great and effective lesson tool.  Administrators use it to find the holes within the schools and how they can effectively gear their stakeholders to make a plan that creates a healthy decision for the better of the whole.   I think a healthy culture in a school district involves constant action research and transparent communication from administrators all the way down to the students. 

Blogs can be used by educational leaders in order to create a pathway for discussion on current topics of concern.  All stakeholders can view this and see what is affecting the health of the district and become educated on what they can do to improve it.  It would also create a transparent culture that creates everyone’s views valid.