Action Research Project Summary Update

My action research project Started extremely well but since the start of the school year it has been a bumpy road. Last spring I conducted multiple interviews with our school psychiatrist, assissiant principals as well as teachers about the behaviors and success of our student athletes. I also attended the Texas Behavior Suppot Conference as well as read refered books that helped me to better understand my topic. Unfortunately, my administration changed this summer and with it many of the previous structures that were in place. Because of this the status of my project was left in question even though it was previously approved. I was allowed to start my action research project but was not allowed to properly introduce it to the teachers who are the most important part of the project in terms of getting information about the kids on a daily basis. Now, even though the project has seen some success in terms of a decrease in classroom behavior issues as well as office and ISS referals, our head coach is about to decide if I will be able to finish the project because teachers are complaining about signing behavior sheets daily. I will find out by the end of this week if I will need to change my topic. 

Intrerviews: Lynn Walker, School LSSP; Susan Jackson, Assisstant Principal; Don Beck, Principal;

Professional Development: Texas Behavior Suppot Conference (multiple sessions);

Books: Brief Strategic Intervention for School Behavior Problems; The 5 Love Languages;

Web Sites: PBIS World (www.pbisworld.com);  Dr. Mac’s Amazing Classroom Behavior Management Site (www.behavioradvisor.com);

Final Reflections - Research 5301

     The weekly lectures in blackboard helped to give me a really good introduction and overview of the week’s assignment. Within these videos the process, the importance of action research as well as the importance of sharing the findings was clearly explained.  I have been unable to attend class lectures on a regular basis, however, I have been able to go back and view the recording from the course. I have found them to help me tremendously, especially when I have forgotten something in regards to TK20 or some other step in completing an assignment.

     The readings helped by providing road map for me begin the process of my project. They also helped me to understand the amount of focus that would be required within the process of data collection and analysis. The ability to be as specific as possible and receive a great deal of feedback will be an important part of my research. I now feel that I am headed in the right direction and as a result I feel confident that my research experience will go well.

     There has been an abundance of information available about behavior, behavior management in the classroom setting and behavior management programs, but I have come across very little that involves behavior management from an athletic point of view. As a result I will be using a combination of techniques from successful behavior management programs. During my tine in inquiry I have found that many others see a need for an increased level of expectations within our athletic programs. The answer is not to simply dismiss the student from athletics, which was suggested by one of my colleges. That is the easy thing to do and it does not serve anyone, it simply passes the problem along and the student does not benefit. A kid’s who needs discipline does not usually learn it on his own. In order to influence change in a kids we must be a relevant part of his life.

     The assignment that helped me the most was the week four assignment. Parts one of the assignment “Strategies to support and sustain action research” gave me insight into some strategies that will be pertinent in gaining support for colluges through the course of my study.  Part two of the assignment “Tool 8.1 CARE Model” allowed me to reflect on where I was within my research by providing specific questions then requiring that I rank my responses. The ranking of my responses made me focus on what I felt was most important. I will be using this tool as a reference guide throughout my research.

 

     The discussion boards and blog discussions and analysis have been helpful in answering questions and / or affirming the works and concerns I have had while developing my plan.  I it helps to know that while keeping up is a test at times, there are others who are striving for the same goals and are willing to go the extra mile to help others with needs or questions. The feedback has been a vital part of my coursework so far. I hope that I have benefited others as they heve benefited my so far.

Action Plan 2

My site supervisor informed me that no revisions were needed at this point. However she did want to revisit the plan after she reviewed the tracking forms and surveys. I will attempt to complete the forms and meet with her early next week to finalize my current plan.

Action Research Plan
Goal: Effects of a Behavior Management Program on Athletics The purpose of this project is to further serve our school community and be a positive influence on our school culture. This project will help us begin to discover ways to improve the behaviors that contribute to our athletic failure rates and alternative placements such as ISS.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Action Research topic construction, discussion and approval.	Daniel Ragsdale,   Site Supervisor	March, 2013	Identify three possible need areas for action research. Get input and approval from site supervisor.	Finalize action research topic with site supervisor
2. Conduct research online about effective behavior management	Daniel Ragsdale	March, 2013	Computer/Internet, LU Library	Review similar projects to help  determine a process for the project
3. Collect past and current student academic and discipline records.	Daniel Ragsdale   April Ivy, Registrar   Michael Curl, 9th Grade AP Student records	March, 2013	Student records: Discipline and Academic	Evaluate data and review records   Get roster of targeted students, develop spreadsheet for tracking
4. Review past and current student academic and discipline records.	Daniel Ragsdale	March-April 2013	Discipline and Academic Records, Spreadsheet for data	Create Spreadsheet by grading period of academic and discipline data collected
5. Create daily behavior tracking sheets and redirection protocol	Daniel Ragsdale	April, 2013	Behavior/Academic Tracking Sheets	Complete and submit for approval by site supervisor
6. Construct survey and/or interview questions to gather opinion data from teachers, and administrators	Daniel Ragsdale	April, 2013	Survey / Interview Questionnaire	Complete and submit for approval by site supervisor
7. Data collection review and evaluation	Students, Teachers, Administrators	May, 2013 – December, 2013	Data collection / organization spreadsheet	Assemble Data on Spreadsheet, Graph, or other approved  form
8. Compilation of data found concerning research topic	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	December, 2013	Discuss Data, Graphs, Charts, PowerPoint other presentation methods	Data Analysis and Results, add information as needed
9. Review for further evaluation	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	January, 2014	Review/Discuss Data	Correction of Data Analysis, change as needed
10. Implement Plan	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	January, 2014	Final Summative Report	Evaluate results

Tool 8.1 CARE Model

This tool has really helped me to organize my thoughts. I finally feel that I have some real direction in this project.

 

 

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)

(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. The biggest concern is to reduce defiant and/or indifferent classroom behaviors of our student athletes.

2. The next area that must be addressed at our campus is the failure rates among student athletes in and out of season.

3. The last area of concern is to reduce discipline referrals and alternative placements among student athletes.

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)

(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. A positive aspect of our campus is teacher and administrator commitment to increase student achievement

2. We currently have a Campus Advisory Committee responsible for fielding concerns from teachers and helping to resolve non-academic issues. It is important that this communication continue.

3.  This district/campus is data driven. It is important to sustain this as we move forward and evaluate the effectiveness of the behavior program.

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:

(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)

(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)

1. A daily behavior sheet implementation to decrease classroom behaviors that disrupt the learning environment or inhibit the learning process. (30% or better each grading period; this includes tardiness, sleeping in class, acting out etc.)

2. Student achievement will increase due to monitored behavior. (Passing rates will improve by 50% or better each grading period)

3. Discipline referrals and placements will decrease. (30% or better each grading period)

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1. Data review each grading period to assess the areas specifically targeted for improvement.

2. Collaborative meeting with coaches, teachers and administrators to discuss concerns and progress.

3. Teacher surveys/interviews – Surveys and interviews will determine if further intervention is needed and/or if the monitoring system need to be revised.

4. Group discussions with students about classroom behaviors

 

 

Behavior Management In Athletics - Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan
Goal: Effects of a Behavior Management Program on Athletics
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. Action Research topic construction, discussion and approval.	Daniel Ragsdale,   Site Supervisor	March, 2013	Identify three possible need areas for action research. Get input and approval from site supervisor.	Finalize action research topic with site supervisor
2. Conduct research online about effective behavior management	Daniel Ragsdale	March, 2013	Computer/Internet, LU Library	Review similar projects to help  determine a process for the project
3. Collect past and current student academic and discipline records.	Daniel Ragsdale   April Ivy, Registrar   9th Grade AP Student records	March, 2013	Student records: Discipline and Academic	Evaluate data and review records   Get roster of targeted students, develop spreadsheet for tracking
4. Review past and current student academic and discipline records.	Daniel Ragsdale	March-April 2013	Discipline and Academic Records, Spreadsheet for data	Create Spreadsheet by grading period of academic and discipline data collected
5. Create daily behavior tracking sheets and redirection protocol	Daniel Ragsdale	April, 2013	Behavior/Academic Tracking Sheets	Complete and submit for approval by site supervisor
6. Data collection review and evaluation	Students, Teachers, Administrators	May, 2013 – December, 2013	Data collection / organization spreadsheet	Assemble Data on Spreadsheet, Graph, or other approved  form
7. Construct survey and/or interview questions to gather opinion data from teachers, and administrators	Daniel Ragsdale	April, 2013	Survey / Interview Questionnaire	Complete and submit for approval by site supervisor
8 Data Collection: Survey / Interview collection review and evaluation	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	May, 2013 – December, 2013	Data collection / organization spreadsheet	Assemble Data on Spreadsheet, Graph, or other approved  form   Use data to simplify data collection process, modify if necessary
9. Compilation of data found concerning research topic	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	December, 2013	Discuss Data, Graphs, Charts, PowerPoint other presentation methods	Data Analysis and Results, add information as needed
10. Review for further evaluation	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	January, 2014	Review/Discuss Data	Correction of Data Analysis, change as needed
11. Implement Plan	Daniel Ragsdale   Site Supervisor	January, 2014	Final Summative Report	Evaluate results