Practical Action Research: A Collection of Articles

by Richard A. Schmuck (Editor)

Overview

Reflecting the editor′s extensive experience, recent developments, and insights from experts, this updated collection helps educators engage in action research to improve educational outcomes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412962872
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/20/2008
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Richard A. Schmuck is professor emeritus at the University of Oregon, where he chaired the dissertations of 132 doctoral students who are from all parts of the world. He taught thousands of other educators worldwide about action research, group dynamics, and organization development. He has served on the faculties of the University of Michigan, Temple University, and Leuven University (Belgium), was the first president of the International Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education. Schmuck is a visiting Professor at Arizona State University-West.

Schmuck is the author of 20 books and 190 articles. His best-known book is Group Processes in the Classroom (with Patricia Schmuck), now in its eighth edition. He received The Stevens Award from the Northwest Women in Educational Administration to honor his support of women in administration and his "commitment to equity, justice, and democracy." He received the Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award from the University Council on Educational Administration for "superior scholarship, distinguished service, and recognized international leadership" and "to celebrate an extraordinary and generous career." Schmuck continues to teach, consult, and write.

Table of Contents

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 Mc Creadie
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

Editorial Reviews

"Schoolwide renewal and improvement occurs only when a group of dedicated professionals decide to  study and reflect on what they are doing and how it affects the students in their school and classrooms. Schmuck provides multiple examples of how school professionals use action research in their quest for improving the school experience for children. "

Shaneen Bell