Action research : a catalyst for school improvement

Abstract

This study is concerned with the potential of schoolwide action research to act as a catalyst for school improvement. Members of the faculty at School X were interviewed in order to determine their knowledge and understanding of the process of schoolwide action research, and to determine the consistency of their views relative to the strengths and weaknesses of schoolwide action research as a means to school improvement. -- The data for this study were collected through three primary sources: interviews, document analysis, and participant observation. Thirty-minute interviews were conducted with ten teachers and two administrators at School X. The findings indicate that the staff at School X supports the philosophy and process of schoolwide action research. This process, however, needs refinement in order to ensure that all staff members have a clear understanding of what is entailed. The findings also indicate that school improvement efforts are not necessarily guided by a needs assessment based on sound methods of data gathering.