Action Research Plan

Hello all!!! I hope you guys are having a wonderful, stress-free week 3. I went into this spring break thinking that I would have tons of extra time on my hands to do school work... NOT TRUE! Lol! After watching last night's web conference, I have made some changes to my action research plan to reflect expectations. Please take a look and let me know what you think! Please be as critical as you need to be... I want this to be right!!! Also, and ideas you may have to add to my plan, please let me know!

Action Research Plan
Research Question: How can our region develop a collaborative culture characterized by social studies teachers from different grade levels and school districts communicating, understanding and sharing expectations for all of our students? In what ways can I facilitate this process? Goal: To promote collaboration among social studies teachers in their districts and throughout Region 5.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Survey social studies teachers, curriculum leaders/coaches, and principals from Region 5 regarding their views and opinions of collaboration within their school and among the region.	Bridget Kirby Monica Mahfouz	March 18, 2013- March 29, 2013	Survey Monkey “The Metlife Survey of the American Teacher: Collaborating for Student Success”	Review surveys to determine the regions views on collaboration. Analyze if and to what degree collaboration is currently practiced within districts and the region as a whole. Determine the teachers and administrators most desired means of collaboration.
Create Region 5 Social Studies Advisory Council made up of teachers, curriculum leaders, and administrators.	Bridget Kirby Monica Mahfouz	April 1, 2013- April 1, 2014	Interested social studies leaders who wish to participate Meeting notes Meeting calendar	Meet with Region 5 Council each month to discuss ways to better our social studies programs. Create a vision statement examining our true goal.  Evaluate strategies and methods for improvement. Determine needed professional development and discuss what is and is not working within the districts. Keep detailed notes during each meeting.
Identify and share current research and literature examining collaboration among educators.	Bridget Kirby Region 5 Social Studies Advisory Council	April 1, 2013- July 31, 2013	Lamar University Library Region 5 Educational Resource Library Online journals	Share findings with Social Studies Advisory Council and the region’s stakeholders. Conduct a workshop on importance of collaboration.
Create Social Studies Facebook Group to enhance sharing of ideas, teaching strategies and tools.	Bridget Kirby Johnny Vines Monica Mahfouz	March 1, 2013	Facebook accounts for teachers	Observe collaboration among teachers and administrators in Facebook group. Regard nature of communication through social media.
Monitor social studies instruction by conducting classroom evaluations and observations. Conduct pre-observation and post-observation conference.	Bridget Kirby Johnny Vines	September 1, 2012-March 31, 2014	Region 5 Walk-Through Tool Region 5 Evaluation Tool 2012-2013 Evaluations and Observations	Determine areas of strength and weakness among the region’s social studies teachers. Analyze past walkthroughs and evaluations to discover areas of improvement. Share information with individual teachers and administrators and discuss ways for improvement.
Survey social studies teachers, curriculum leaders/coaches, and principals from Region 5 at years end to determine new ideals and beliefs about Region 5 collaboration.	Bridget Kirby	April 1, 2014	Survey Monkey “The Metlife Survey of the American Teacher: Collaborating for Student Success”	At the end of the year review surveys to determine the region’s views on collaboration. Analyze any changes in opinions on collaborations within districts and the region as a whole. Determine effectiveness of methods of communication and collaboration.
Interview Region 5 Social Studies Advisory Council to determine satisfaction of Region 5 collaboration efforts. Video interview conversations to share with the region’s teachers.	Bridget Kirby Region 5 Social Studies Advisory Council Monica Mahfouz Danny Lovett	April 1, 2014	Interview Questionnaire Flip Camera	Review video to analyze views and opinions on the year’s progress toward a more collaborative community. Discuss any areas of needed improvement in order to sustain collaborative community.