Action Plan Guide

My	Discipline Issues: Are the consequences fair and are our students benefitting?
Action Planning	Research Question: What difference would the Disciple Management Team (DMT) make regarding the percentage of students in ISS per six weeks and the effectiveness of consequences for the level of each offense? How will the DMT be consistent in handling discipline issues as each situation is different? How do discipline referral consequences (ISS or PACES) affect student performance?
Exploration	Goal: The objective of this action research project is to reduce the amount of time a student is not involved in instructional learning, administer fair consequences to every student, and to determine if consequences affect student performance.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Process for Monitoring	Evaluation
1.          Interview other professionals about their discipline issues and how they are handled. Search blogs concerning the issue. (Setting the Foundation)	Theresa Coleman	August 2013- September 2013	Interview questions, blogs	NA	Gather information and determine which best practice would be practical for our campus.
2.          Meeting with the Discipline Management Team (DMT) to examine data from previous year and start decision-making process. (Develop a deeper understanding)	DMT Committee	September 2013	Skyward/Dmac reports (referral/student %, grade averages)	Chart or graph	Reflection: summarize thoughts and ideas from meeting
3.          Meeting with faculty and staff: the specifics and non-negotiables for classroom. (Setting the Foundation)	Murrell Stewart, Principal	September 2013	Results and ideas  from meeting	NA	Reflection: summarize thoughts and ideas from meeting
4.        Review report: skyward/Dmac       (Analyzing data)	Theresa Coleman	Weekly/ every two basis	Skywaard/Dmac reports	Chart or graph results that include student/referral %, types of infractions, Grade monitoring	Reflections
5.          DMT meeting: asking more questions, address needed issues (Exploring Patterns)	DMT Committee	End of every 6 weeks (1st semester)	Notes from previous meetings, chart	Chart or graph results that include student/referral %, types of infractions, Grade monitoring	Reflection
6.          Teacher/student evaluation: Has in/out-of-school suspension effected six week’s grade or Faculty meeting (Exploring patterns)	Murrell Stewart, Theresa Coleman	End of 1st and 2nd six weeks (October and November 2013)	surveys	Survey results, meeting minutes	Reflections
7.          DMT Meeting:  Assess progress and achievements, discuss any modifications in discipline. (Determine a direction, Take action)	DMT Committee	End of 3rd six weeks (January 2013)	All data collected: reports, charts, surveys, additional questions	NA
8.          Monitor the data concerning discipline issues and referrals observing any changes. (Sustaining Improvement)	DMT Committee	2nd semester	Skyward and DMAC reports	Note any drastic changes in the results	Reflection

Internship Progress

I had the opportunity to observe a professional interview administered by my mentor. He had a set of great questions to gain certian information from the paricular applicant. I remember the nervous feeling I had when I interviewed for the teaching position I have now. One essential duty of the principal is to make the potential employee feel comfortable throughout the entire seesion. Making intial small talk and conducting the questioning as a conversation instead of a "drill session" helps tremendously. I also learned how to analyze non-verbal communication and draw logical conclusions from the information that was shared. It was a great experience for me in my educational growth.

Week 2 Reflection

I've captured many important points from this week's assignment. The greatest lessons were from the three education professionals. I took away something different from each, but stands as a powerful message when their words are put together. As future leaders, we must continue to engage ourselves in learning experiences to grow. Our progression reults in progression of our students. The key to successful progression is make our action research meaningful to the campus and students, and investigate what worked for others with a similar issue.

Benefits of Educational Blogging

Education leaders will use blogs as an electronic, public journal. while we reflect on the happenings on our inquiry we are also able to see others experiences; journal share. Its a phenomenal way to network outside of our district, state, and country with other professionals encountering similar or different obstacles. with constant use, blogging can become a valuable resource and support system throughout our journey of becoming professional leaders.

Thoughts on Action Research

Action research or principal inquiry directly involves total input of professional leaders on campus. I would best describe the concept as being "for the people, of the people, and by the people."For resolutions to be made, it takes a joint effort from everyone; the principal must spear-head the process. As Dana (2009, p. 4, 5) eloquently points out, professional inquiry has major differences than the accepted way to research: "concepts of 'process-product research' (Shuman, 1986) and "limits practioners' roles in the research process." Action research has an advantageous role in major accomplishments of the school or district. This systematic process encourages the leader to depart from environments of isolation. Inquiry forces principals to interact with teachers, other leaders, and their supervisor conversing about the future of the campus and district. It can also develop a culture within the school. When the leader sets the great example of collaboration and resolution, the rest of the school will more than likely follow suit. I enjoyed the exercises analogy Dana (2009, p. 5) used in relation to making time for inquiry; we must make it into a routine to incorporate it into our daily practices. As educators, we know the challenges of developing a daily or weekly workout regimen. Attacking it like we do going to the gym will benefit in the long run. The important ingredient in making a habit into a routine is discipline.