Action Research Teams
Cedar Rapids Community Schools
2003-2004
District Focus
2003-3004
• The District Focus
for the ’03-04
school year is to
improve the
performance of low
achieving students
in reading
comprehension and
mathematics.
This does not mean
we take resources
away from other
students… It simply
means we will
strategically focus on
some identified
achievement gaps as
a system.
A Vehicle for System
Change
• Action Research is
a proven strategy
for school
improvement and
has been
implemented (in a
variety of forms) in
schools throughout
the country.
Actions for System
Change
• Continual monitoring of student
performance
• Continual adaptation of instruction
• Learning environments that are
engaging to students and families
• Use of researched, best-practice
instructional and support strategies
The CRCSD Working Definition
of Action Research
Our district is defining
action research as the
implementation of a
systematic Plan-Do-StudyAct cycle targeted at
closing identified student
achievement gaps.
Reasons for an Action
Research Process
• To close identified gaps
in student achievement
• To utilize the expertise
of educators
• To develop a common
language for sharing
• To access a proven
process that
systematically addresses
our District focus
High Performing Action Research
Team Competencies
• Accessing data &
best–practice/
research-based
information
• Identifying gaps in
student
achievement
• Collecting,
analyzing, &
interpreting data
using researchedbased methods
• Using a systems
approach that
views the building
as part of a larger
system & involves
the community in a
variety of
meaningful ways
• Implementing
action from
research
Common Process & Language
ACT
ACT
STUDY
PLAN
DO
DO
• A Plan-Do-StudyAct Cycle will be
used as a
common process
across the
District
Team Organization
• Teams will be
designed at
each building
• They will evolve
over time
• They may also
involve ad hoc
members as
needed
Team Membership
• Teams will include
school staff who
are appropriate for
the project
• Community members,
AEA staff, outside
experts, parents,
central office staff,
students, paras, etc.,
are a few examples of
team members who
might be utilized on a
short or long-term
basis
Identifying Gaps
• Teams at the
building level
will identify
student
achievement
gaps using the
District Focus as
a guide.
Tools Teams Will Use
• Process tools
assist teams in
decision-making,
asking good
research questions,
& group interaction
• Technical tools
assist teams in
identifying gaps
and measuring
results
• Data collection
tools assist teams
in knowing what
data to collect and
how to collect it
• Content tools
include bestpractice research
in the area in which
the team is
working
Ongoing Learning
• Many team
members will
already be able to
use some of the
tools
• Opportunities to
acquire skills will
be provided in a
variety of flexible
learning
opportunities so
teams can move at
their own pace
TOOLS CAN BE LEARNED
OR ACCESSED
Examples of Learning
Opportunities
• National consultant
workshops for
school leadership
• A seminar on
research tools
• Consultation at the
building level
• Intranet site at
CRCSD
• New AEA website
• Written resources
& materials
The resources for
teams will continue
to evolve as
specific needs are
identified and
resources become
available.
Sharing
• The District will
create multiple
ways for
buildings to share
with other
buildings, the
district, and the
community
A Multi-Year Journey
• Buildings and
teams will be at
various points of
learning &
implementation
throughout the
next few years.
• This is expected
and encouraged
For information about the
contents of this presentation or
about action research teams in
the Cedar Rapids Community
Schools contact:
Jane Caraway (319) 558-2966
Paula Vincent (319) 558-2961
Jim Thornton (319) 558-2963
Gregg Petersen (319) 558-2962
Sandy Stephen (319) 558-2967