Practical Action Research

Preface Acknowledgments About the Editor About the Contributors Part I. Defining Action Research 1. Writers Develop Skills Through Collaboration: An Action Research Approach - Kate Ferguson-Patrick 2. Educational Action Research - Ken Zeichner Part II. Understanding Action Research 3. The Unexpected Journey: Renewing Our Commitment to Students Through Educational Action Research - Helen Meyer, Bennyce Hamilton, Steve Kroeger, Stephanie Stewart, Mary Brydon-Miller 4. Action Research: Three Approaches - Emily F. Calhoun Exemplary Project: The Effectiveness of Spalding Instruction for Spelling Performance - Margo S. O'Neill Exemplary Project: The Business Managers' Network: Action Research to Improve Business Capacities of Colorado Charter Schools - Lori Grant Exemplary Project: Improving Schoolwide Communication Through a New School Web Site: Responsive Action Research - Heidi Mitchell Part III. Implementing Action Research 5. Creating a School for David: A Principal's Narrative - Eleanor A. Perry Exemplary Project: Proactive Action Research to Build Leadership for a Charter School's Success - Lillian Thomas-Wilson Exemplary Project: Examining the Impact of External Building Coaches on Teachers - Betsy Apolito Exemplary Project: Implementing Strategies to Reduce Dropout Rates of At-Risk Youth in an Online Learning Environment - Jill Gaitens 6. Using Action Research to Assess Instruction - Carole Schulte Johnson, Inga Kromann-Kelly Exemplary Project: Singapore Math: Action Research on a Curriculum Change, Student Achievement, and Teacher Efficacy - Barbara J. Darroch Exemplary Project: Increasing Math Achievement of Title 1 Middle School Students - Tatyana Chayka 7. Action Research for School Improvement - Emily F. Calhoun Exemplary Project: Action Research on Middle School Mathematics Instruction Differentiated by Student Gender - Joshua Jordan 8. What Happens When a School District Supports Action Research - Cathy Caro-Bruce, Jennifer McCreadie Exemplary Project: Professional Development as a Tool to Enhance Teacher Quality in Charter Schools - Ricci Rodriquez-Elkins 9. Using Action Research to Solve Instructional Challenges in Inclusive Elementary School Settings - Christine L. Salisbury, Linda L. Wilson, Tabetha J. Swartz, Mary M. Palombaro, Jami Wassel Exemplary Project: Math Fact Memorization in a Highly Sequenced Elementary Mathematics Curriculum - Kelli Kreienkamp 10. Using Action Research as a Collaborative Process to Enhance Educators' and Families' Knowledge and Skills for Youth With Emotional or Behavioral Disorders - Douglas Cheney Exemplary Project: Building Blocks to Healthy Emotions: A Parenting Program to Improve the Emotional Health of Low-Income Children - Verree Laughlin 11. Action Research in Action: Curricular Articulation and Integrated Instruction - Douglas E. Arnold Part IV. Studying Action Research Exemplary Project: Initiating a Collaborative Action Research Project: From Choosing a School to Planning the Work on an Issue - Eva Espido Bello Exemplary Project: Self-Reflection in Essay Writing: An Action Research Project - Ronald Bergez 12. Promoting Quality for Teacher Action Research: Lessons Learned From Science Teachers' Action Research - Brenda M. Capobianco, Allen Feldman 13. Schoolwide Action Research: Findings From Six Years of Study - Lew Allen, Emily F. Calhoun 14. Ecology and Ethics in Participatory Collaborative Action Research: An Argument for the Authentic Participation of Students in Educational Research - Steve Collins Index