revised action Research

Draft Action Research Project Progress Report

1. Title:  Building Positive Connections in Travis

2. Needs Assessment:  We need an organization that provides positive interactions with parents, teachers, students and our community to promote success within our school community.  Research has shown when parents are involved with their children then our students are more successful. The only parent communication we have is sending notes home from students.  The problem with that is that most parents don’t receive the information.  We also don’t have many opportunities to encourage parents to become involved.  However, there are some parents that would like to be a part of our school community and help promote positive interactions with teachers, students and our local community but we do not have a program in order to promote this great opportunity. Our campus is 94% Hispanic and 97% Economic Disadvantage so we have a barrier for effective communication.  So the best way to ensure that our parent is a part of this great organization is to provide a translator as well as have all communication translated in Spanish.

3. Objective and Vision of the action research project:  My vision is to encourage positive relationships among our teacher, students, parents and local community.  Develop an organization to promote success for our students.  Our organization will commit to partner with our parents, teacher, students and community to ensure that every student has a caring, supportive atmosphere to succeed and become a productive member of society.

4. Review of the Literature and Action Research Strategy:  Research has shown that when parents are involved in the school community, the rate of success increases.  Therefore, since our school has no organization for parents to participate it is important to design an organization to promote parental involvement with our students as well as design an organization to include business leaders.  Research conducted indicates that when schools, families, and communities work together as parent, students success increase (Esptein, 1992; Henderson and Berla 1994; Rutherford et al. 1997).  The most high-performing schools at all levels distinguish themselves by finding innovative ways to connect with parents and community leaders (National Association of State Coordinators of Compensatory Education 1996).  This organization is a great opportunity to encourage parents to become involve in their child’s education as well becomes active members in our community.

5. Articulate the Vision: I met with my Assistant Principle to discuss the organization.  It was great to know this idea had been discussed during the last Campus Improvement Committee meeting.  We are extremely excited to implement this organization this fall.  All parents meet the auditorium which at this time I will introduce our new organization.  I will have a room set up during Meet the Teacher night in my classroom after a brief overview before the parents visit the classrooms.  I will send home flyers with incentives as well as the highlights for the success of the organization. 

6. Manage the organization:  I have seen other ways the program has been set up.  My Assistant Principle is going to help me set up the program.  I have several teachers who are willing to help as well.  I am sending out a form asking for volunteers as well as inviting parents to a parent night.  We will nominate Vice President, Secretary, Treasury as well as two representatives who will be a part of the organization.  All monies earned will purchase items for our school.

G.  Manage Operations:  Projects conducted by our organization will be discussed and                     voted on what benefits the projects have for our school.  Open forum will also allow everyone to express their ideas of what projects and goals for school community.  Each member of the organization will have job descriptions and responsible for projects and activities.

H.  Respond to Community Interest and Needs:  Our organization will serve all students of our school community.  Any needed modifications will be addressed when needed.  We can plan activities and events that build on cultural backgrounds of our students, families and community (NASSP Bulletin, 2001).  We will use workshops and meeting as well as use traditional communication such as making telephone calls.  Parents that cannot attend because of lack of transportation or work schedule, information will be provided in a form of a newsletter, posted on a bulletin board as well as posted on our school website.