Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool

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. Bus provider taking responsibility

2. Administrators taking action

3. Student Performance

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. Teacher and administrator dedication to student performance

2. Teacher and administrator support of research

3. Communication with bus provider

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. Identify Bus riders

2. Identify bus riders 1^st period class

3. Survey for student performance

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often

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

1. Evaluate the surveys

2. Reflective conversations with administration

3. Reflective conversations with bus provider

Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: Research the effect of late buses on student performance in core classes.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Discuss Possible topics with site supervisor.	J. Hall C. Neal	Oct. 3, 2011 – Oct. 20, 2011	Internship plan Principal School data Internet Durham bus services list	Decide topic issue and monitor late buses for first six weeks of school.
Meet with Durham bus supervisor	J. Hall T. Smith	Oct 24, 2011-Nov. 11, 2011	List of LMS bus riders Bus routes to LMS Drivers on routes to LMS	Monitor bus routes. Evaluate list of LMS students on bus routes
Meet with attendance supervisor	J. Hall V. Worbington D. Lindville	Nov. 14, 2011-Dec. 2, 2011	1st period attendance records for first 2 six weeks core classes only	Evaluate tardies to 1st period by LMS bus riders. Evaluate buses that are late every day.
Conduct Survey to 1st period core class teachers 7th and 8th grade.	J. Hall	Dec. 5, 2011-Dec. 20, 2011	Survey Microsoft word Semester test results 1st six weeks test results 2nd six weeks test results Report card grades	Evaluate responses and correlate with attendance and tardy data.
Meet with site supervisor to discuss results	J. Hall C. Neal	Jan. 9, 2012- Jan. 20, 2012	Data from survey and all records.	Evaluate data and survey to determine ideas for improvement.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Week Two Reflection

Its all about the DATA!! It is apparent to me that after this week to be a successful leader and have a successful campus you have to be data driven.  This is where education is going and I am OK with it.  I like the data! I like being able to hold my self accountable and my students accountable.

Leaders blogging?

I think blogging would be a great way for leaders to communicate with faculty openly about anything not just school related.  Maybe use it as a way to get to know the principal.  Maybe even open that up to kids and parents, a way to communicate on their level. Especially students that are so familiar with blogging.  Why not open up dont create that principal "isolation".

Action Research

Action Research is something that has to be used as a principal or leader of any organization.  It is the only way to really evaluate your campus and what is really going on amongst the students and faculty.  In order to be successful you have to know what works and doesn't work.  Really focus on what is going to improve your campus and what is hurting your campus. 

In order to do this as a principal you have to address the problems head on and research why there is a problem and how you can solve it.  Research will make you more aware of what needs to be done to be more successful.  It will also educate the entire faculty about what needs to take place in the future to avoid such problems.  Every situation is different so things might have to be done differently than what is expected and if change needs to happen to ensure the success of students research can back that up. 

As a Action Research really benefits principals in growing as a leader and allows them to see what is best for their campus.  As a leader to become better you have to understand every part of your job and the action research is only going to help in the process of knowing exactly what is taking palce on campus.  Students and teachers will benefit knowing that the principal is actively involved in making the best decision for the students and campus based on research not solely on their personal beliefs.