Below is a copy of my action research plan:

Action Research: How Effective is the inclusion program in relation to student performance?
Goal: To compare Central’s Inclusion program to other schools to identify how to make it more effective.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1. What is the inclusion process?	Special Education Director Rochell Metts, Diagnostician Carol Spivey, principal Chad Smith	Oct. 2012- Dec. 2012	Campus inclusion procedure, campus schedule	Comparing different schools inclusion process.
2. Research relevant information pertaining to the impact of inclusion and student grade point average over 3year span.	Spec. Director Rochell Metts, Diagnostician Carol Spivey, principal Chad Smith	Jan. 2013-June 2013	Students personal file	Percent increase or decrease in special ed. test scores since inclusion has been introduced.
3. Compare schools within the county looking for similarities/ differences with the inclusions processes	Special Director’s, District Principals and Diagnosticians	Aug. 2013- 0ct. 2013	Test results of special ed. students from other district’s  within the county that have inclusion	Compare/contrast scores of different schools that have implemented the inclusion process.
4. Track and compare a class of students since they have begun inclusion and compare standardized test results.	High School principal Mr. Smith, Jr. High Principal Mr. Ivy Jr. high and High school councilor, Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Arnold	Oct. 2013-Nov.-2013	State test results for special ed. students	Compare grade point average of students involved in inclusion since it has begun at Central ISD.
5. Compare schools within the county to understand the impact that inclusion has on special education student success/improvement	Special Education director, School Councilors, Jr. High and High School Principals	Aug. 2013- Dec. 2013	Data from schools in the county that have inclusion as a part of their special education program.	Comparing other schools inclusion student success vs. our school to evaluate where we rate on student success.
6. Present results from research and recommended changes to the special education director.	Special Education director	Dec. 2013- Jan. 2014	All data collected from Action Research	Feedback from special education director indicating feasibility of recommended changes.

Week 2 reflection EDLD 5301

In reflecting on week two of this course I have come to find that there is much demand in finding ways to implement change from data that is gathered through action research. After watching the videos of the three administrators and looking into my own research plan with my site supervisor it has also become clear that there is much to do with compiling information, comparing data, and making a plan tailor made for your specific environment. This weeks lesson has exposed me to the realization of the importance of data and what is done with that data can make all the difference in how effective your programs will be. The idea of an action research makes all the sense due to the fact that in years past all schools waited years on data that may not even be applicable in their school district. With active research you get the results sooner and it relates directly with the needs and issues of your own school.

How might educational leaders use blogs

Educational leaders can use blogs to gather information form on issues they are facing from other district's that may be facing similar issues. Blogs can also be used also to keep up with new research and there impact. As a school administrator a blog can also be used as form of professional collaboration among educators for issues they are facing.

Action Research, what I have learned and how it can be applied

     What I have learned with my readings of the usage of a action research in general is that it is essential to monitor, analyze, reflect and make adjustments. First the practitioner needs to identify and clarify a situation to improve. Next, after the practitioner identifies an issue they would find a plan or action strategy for resolving the problem or improving the issue.  Once a solution has been identified the practitioner would need to implement the action for change and evaluating it's effectiveness. Action research is concerned with the practitioners (not outside sources) and engages practitioners in the design, data collection, and interpretation of data around the a question. Gathering data on any given issue at your school is essential to making a relevant change.  Action research requires observation, interpretation, time and reflection by the practitioner.  The thing I see that makes an action research so valuable is the element of the practitioner as the researcher and not someone who has no working knowledge of a public school. Who better to identify, research solutions, implement those stratagies and reflect on their effectiveness than those who lead the school.  An action research also allows for a school to deal directly with their own issues specifically. It is clear that action without reflection does little to prevent the same issue from reoccurring and nor would you be able to make an accurate judgment of wether or not a program or change has made the changes sought.

What a action plan could be used on is interventions and the strategies used. I am a member of a PLC with works with, track and makes adjustments based on the findings from our PLC. The PLC can identify areas that need addressed with intervention and inclusion and formulate new strategies. Assessing or reflecting wether or not a plan has been affective for our special needs students are essential for the the effectiveness of the special service programs.  I feel that it would also be in order to reflect frequently on the PLC to make sure that it has been affective and has not become sedentary and ineffective. Meeting the needs of the our special needs students is imperative. With a professional team using an action plan and reflecting would show what is working and what is not working based on what has been done and the student progress.