Positive School Culture Research

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. Teacher’s morale is low.
2. Negative School culture
3. Parent Involvement is non-existent
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. AVID program will continue to enroll mid-range academic students and advance their studying skills. The program will continue to help the students in their Pre-Ap classes and advancements to Post Secondary Education.
2. Professional Development will continue to send our teaching staff to classes that help show motivation, cooperation, and management skills. These classes will help the staff gain more understanding and may improve their attitude toward their working environment.
3. Campus Educational Improvement Council- (CEIC) will continue to strive to improve the status of the campus environment, class curriculum, and student discipline through collaboration and reflection meetings.
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. SMART: By 2012, Paso Del Norte will earn an Exemplary rating.
Objective:
90% of all 7th grade students will meet or surpass the state standard on TAKS Mathematics by the end of the current school year.
2. SMART: By the beginning of 2011-2012 school year, Paso Del Norte will have improved and sustain a positive school culture through an action research project conducted on campus.
Objective: Improve the attitude and environment of the school’s campus so there will be a better atmosphere as per the teaching staff. We want to increase the percentage of teachers that participated in the action research plan by 100%.
3. During the 2010-2011 school years there will be a significant increase in parent participation by a 20% increase in the number of parent volunteers to improve student’s school environment.
Objective: By the end of the school 2010-2011 there will be significant increase in parent participation 20% or higher in attendance rate and parent meetings and a 15% or higher increase in campus volunteers.

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often
(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)
1. Data Collection/Analysis- Interviews, Observations, Questionnaires and Survey every 9 weeks.
2. Reflections: Examining the school environment every 9 weeks.
3. Sustaining Improvement: Using reflections, data collections/Analysis and Interviews to help sustain the school’s positive cultural environment every 9 weeks.

Improving and Maintaining a Positive School Culture

Inquiry: How can an administrator create a positive school culture that is lasting amongst all stakeholders?

How can we improve the school's culture?
What can be done to improve the atmosphere of the campus?
Do you feel appreciated for the work you do on the campus?
Do you participate in school functions?
Do you feel accepted by your colleagues/administrators?
What can you do to change the culture of the school?
Goal: The purpose of this research action is to improve and maintain a positive school culture on the campus.

Target population: Teaching staff
Target population: Teachers and Administrators
Sample size: 50 teachers and 4 Administrators
Description of research: Questionnaire survey

A questionnaire survey will be used to analyze the wants and needs of each teacher on the campus. A 15 question survey will be used. Each question will ask a different want and need that the campus may need to implement. The survey will show the majority of what needs to be improved. Observations will be conducted to see if the implementations are causing an improvement. Interviews will also be used after the questionnaire is analyzed. Lastly, reflections will be conducted on how to maintain the positive school culture.

Interview Reflections

Dr. Lewis stated that data analysis is vital to help students advance in their learning process. This method is used to show both strengths and weaknesses in the student's learning. For example, if a student is assessed in a certain area of studies they use data analysis to find the areas of strengths and weakness. The data will show how the student did on the assessment and where he/she needs help. This analysis is a great way for both administrators and teachers to help their students. This analysis will pinpoint exactly what the students needs help in. This eliminates the "guessing" part of helping a student. I want to implement this strategy in my teaching practice and share this information with my colleagues as well.

Dr. Briseno had great insight when he stated that learning from others is a practice he implements on his campus. Learning from others will help all stakeholders in any campus. Why should we re-invent the wheel as he stated. The wheel has already been invented and learning from others is a great of sharping each other. Iron sharpens iron and this is strategy is a great way of doing that.

Citation: "As per Dr. Arterbury and Dr. Jenkins of week 2 videos interviews: Dr. Johnny Briseno, Dr. Timothy Chargois, and Dr. Kirk Lewis conference." EDLD 5301 Research-EA 1201, July 2010.

Action Research through the help of Blogging

Action Research is showing possible progression through research. One of the goals is to improve teaching and learning for the people involved. It is very beneficial for administrators, teachers, and students to use an action research plan in the attempt to find a more rigorous learning curriculum. This attempt is beneficial for all stakeholders involved. The research will show if what is currently being done is valid. It will also show how to improve the learning system or try something else entirely. I think is would be a great system to implement in my school campus. I would need to teach the benefits of the action research to my staff. I would also need to show how it would make the learning environment one of a higher rigor. Rigorous learning is vital for the students that are in the classrooms. Without a rigorous learning environment not all students are learning to their maximum capacity. I would want to show that teaching in a rigorous manner and having the curriculum to uphold that standard could be found through an action research plan.

I would want to have all the teachers use a blog to get different ideas after using an action research plan in their class. After the teachers find what can be beneficial to them and incorporate that curriculum in their classroom, I would ask them to blog their finding. The information they have found can be beneficial for others. This system of helping each other is a great tool to access with one another. Using a blog is an easier way of communicating with each other when time is short.