Action Research Reflections - week 2

In thinking about and then discussing my action research project with my principal, we came to an agreement about the topic.  At first, I wanted to research RTI - Response to Intervention.  This is an area of particular interest to me since I am a teacher in Special Education.  I have been a teacher in this area for 23 years (25 total years in education).  I have become somewhat frustrated with the referral process and the identification of students who receive special education services.  In my current district where over identification has been a concern, it seems we have completely gone the other way and are not identifying students who may truly need the extra services.  There has to be a balance between the two!  We are "dumping" students who have never been in general ed. into classes without the proper assistance or training of the general ed. teacher.  My frustrations could go on and on....

So, I thought that making sure teachers were trained in appropriate documentation of the Tiers of Intervention would enable us as a campus to make good, solid special ed. referrals.  While my principal agrees with me that this is something we need to do as a campus, this might not be an actual "research" project.  So, we sat down and discussed this issue so more.

We began talking about student motivation.  How do we motivate students to do well in class?  On a test?  In their behavior?  How do we move students to find that doing well and taking pride in a job well done is reward enough?  This discussion continued into our PLC meetings with the different grade levels.  After hearing teachers voice their concerns about motivating students, my principal looked at me and said "there's your action research project".  So, I will be looking in to different ways of motivating students to do their best.  He also wants me to also look at how teachers are motivated.  What makes a teacher strive to do his/her best in the classroom?  Some interesting findings I'm sure await me!

So, what have I learned so far about action research?  It's a lot of work!  However, it's a very necessary part of being a great educator as well as administrator.  No longer are we able to teach with out looking at data and applying it in our classrooms.  As educators we have a responsibility to look at students as individuals and help them become successful, lifelong learners.