Update on Action Research Plan

I have done the following things thus far in my Action Research Project tilted Goal: To Understand the Benefits of School Uniforms With Regards To Grades, Attendance, and Behavior.

1.       I have gathered research articles and books regarding the benefits of school uniforms with regards to grades, attendance, and behavior.

2.       I have pre-selected a student sample students to monitor and make conclusions on if the switch to school uniforms has made any difference in attendance, grades, discipline for my Action Research Project.  Interviews with the students will take place in December with a paper writing to follow in the spring.

3.       I have obtained permission to hand out/ conduct survey on student benefit of school uniforms in 6th grade student sample and fill out at home.  Survey to take place at the end of the year.

4.       I have begun to monitor class sample attendance progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.

5.       I have obtained permission from parents of selected students to promote 2-way communication and to achieve unity in the student education process.

6.       The one challenge I have had thus far in the project is pacing. If the school system has taught anything it is that pacing yourself to prepare for new challenges and problems in the school day is tough! It is a constant balancing act of taking care of priorities and also taking care of the things that matter in the school system. I have a hunch because of a loving God and supportive staff and professors I will make it; practicing balance however will also continue to be important.

Reflection from web confrence September 2nd

Much can be said about what I learned last Sunday at the web conference. All I can say is that support from Lamar has been fantastic as far as I can see and furthermore our professors really seem like to want to help us succeed. I look forward to the next one!!

How will I implement my Action Research plan?

This can be done in several ways but the important point to make here is to not get complacent. Our district has had several individuals come through the Lamar Grad program and I can say without hesitation that each individual was ALWAYS getting feedback. A lack of feed back or seeking feed back can possibly lead to complacency and not keeping up with obligations. I intend to implement my research plan based on feedback and progress achieved in research!!

Revised Final Action Research Plan.

Action Plan Template

Goal: To Understand The Benefits Of School Uniforms With Regards To Grades, Attendance, and Behavior.

Action Step(s)	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Gather research articles and books regarding the benefits of school uniforms with regards to grades, attendance, and behavior.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012/ December 21st 2012.	Articles, E-Books, Professional Literature.	Research paper to be written at the end of the project.
2. Obtain permission to hand out/ conduct survey on student benefit of school uniforms in 6th grade homeroom class and fill out at home.	John Thomas, Campus Principal.	August 20th-2012	Written permission from Campus Principal for research to take place.	N/A.
3. Obtain permission from parents of selected students (if necessary).	John Thomas, parents of involved students.	August 27th-2012/August 31st 2012.	Written permission from parents of students involved.	N/A.
4. Select 6th grade class sample.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012/August 31st 2012	Student survey	John Thomas
5. Monitor class sample assignment progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student grades from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the assignment data, draw conclusions from the data.
6. Monitor class sample attendance progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas/ Attendance officer.	August 27th-2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student attendance records from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the attendance data, draw conclusions from the data.
7. Monitor class sample behavior progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas/Assistant Principal.	August 27th, 2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student discipline referrals from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the behavior data, draw conclusions from the data.
8. Interview 6th grade class sample.	John Thomas	December 3rd 2012/December21st 2012.	Participating students, interview questions to be determined.	John Thomas
9. Write research paper presenting the various bits of information stating the benefits of school uniforms gathered from August 27th, 2012 to December 21st 2012. Contrast research findings with 6th grade class student results and interview answers.	John Thomas	January 2013/May 2013.	Articles, E-Books, Professional Literature. Student records of grades, behavior, attendance, and interview answers.	6th grade class sample results based on access to student records, in class observation, interview answers.
10. Present findings and 6th grade sample conclusions to Elementary School staff; make recommendations for how to promote school uniforms with the students for 2013-2014 school year.	John Thomas	May/June 2013 staff meeting.	Research paper that discusses findings, 6th grade class sample conclusions.	Staff sign in sheet, Power point presentation, question and answer session.

Action Research Plan Final.

Action Plan Template

Goal: To Understand The Benefits Of School Uniforms With Regards To Grades, Attendance, and Behavior.

Action Step(s)	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Gather research articles and books regarding the benefits of school uniforms with regards to grades, attendance, and behavior.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012/ December 21st 2012.	Articles, E-Books, Professional Literature.	Research paper to be written at the end of the project.
2. Obtain permission to hand out/ conduct survey on student benefit of school uniforms in 6th grade homeroom class and fill out at home.	John Thomas, Campus Principal.	August 20th-2012	Written permission from Campus Principal for research to take place.	N/A.
3. Obtain permission from parents of selected students (if necessary).	John Thomas, parents of involved students.	August 27th-2012/August 31st 2012.	Written permission from parents of students involved.	N/A.
4. Select 6th grade class sample.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012/August 31st 2012	Student survey	John Thomas
5. Monitor class sample assignment progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student grades from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the assignment data, draw conclusions from the data.
6. Monitor class sample attendance progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas/ Attendance officer.	August 27th-2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student attendance records from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the attendance data, draw conclusions from the data.
7. Monitor class sample behavior progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas/Assistant Principal.	August 27th, 2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student discipline referrals from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the behavior data, draw conclusions from the data.
8. Interview 6th grade class sample.	John Thomas	December 3rd 2012/December21st 2012.	Participating students, interview questions to be determined.	John Thomas
9. Write research paper presenting the various bits of information stating the benefits of school uniforms gathered from August 27th, 2012 to December 21st 2012. Contrast research findings with 6th grade class student results and interview answers.	John Thomas	January 2013/May 2013.	Articles, E-Books, Professional Literature. Student records of grades, behavior, attendance, and interview answers.	6th grade class sample results based on access to student records, in class observation, interview answers.
10. Present findings and 6th grade sample conclusions to Elementary School staff; make recommendations for how to promote school uniforms with the students for 2013 school year.	John Thomas	May/June 2013 staff meeting.	Research paper that discusses findings, 6th grade class sample conclusions.	Staff sign in sheet, question and answer session.

Action Research Plan rough draft.

Action Plan Template

Goal: To Understand The Benefits Of School Uniforms With Regards To Grades, Attendance, and Behavior.

Action Step(s)	Person(s) Responsible	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Gather research articles and books regarding the benefits of school uniforms with regards to grades, attendance, and behavior.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012/ December 21st 2012.	Articles, E-Books, Professional Literature.	Research paper to be written at the end of the project.
2. Obtain permission to hand out/ conduct survey on student benefit of school uniforms in 6th grade homeroom class and fill out at home.	John Thomas, Campus Principal.	August 20th-2012	Written permission from Campus Principal for research to take place.	N/A.
3. Obtain permission from parents of selected students (if necessary).	John Thomas, parents of involved students.	August 27th-2012/August 31st 2012.	Written permission from parents of students involved.	N/A.
4. Select 6th grade class sample.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012/August 31st 2012	Student survey	John Thomas
5. Monitor class sample assignment progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas	August 27th-2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student grades from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the assignment data, draw conclusions from the data.
6. Monitor class sample attendance progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas/ Attendance officer.	August 27th-2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student attendance records from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the attendance data, draw conclusions from the data.
7. Monitor class sample behavior progress and compare/contrast to last year when students did not wear school uniforms.	John Thomas/Assistant Principal.	August 27th, 2012-December 21st, 2012.	Access to student discipline referrals from last year and first 5 months of this year.	Compare and contrast the behavior data, draw conclusions from the data.
8. Interview 6th grade class sample.	John Thomas	December 3rd 2012/December21st 2012.	Participating students, interview questions to be determined.	John Thomas
9. Write research paper presenting the various bits of information stating the benefits of school uniforms gathered from August 27th, 2012 to December 21st 2012. Contrast research findings with 6th grade class student results and interview answers.	John Thomas	January 2013/May 2013.	Articles, E-Books, Professional Literature. Student records of grades, behavior, attendance, and interview answers.	6th grade class sample results based on access to student records, in class observation, interview answers.
10. Present findings and 6th grade sample conclusions to Elementary School staff; make recommendations for how to promote school uniforms with the students for 2013 school year.	John Thomas	May/June 2013 staff meeting.	Research paper that discusses findings, 6th grade class sample conclusions.	Staff sign in sheet, question and answer session.