Diacussion Board Feedback: Holding Up The Mirror

I wanted to emphasize the importance of the feedback we provide on the weekly discussion boards.  Below is an exerpt from my Week Five Assignment, Part 2 – Final Reflections. 

I have certainly gotten insightful feedback from the discussion board.  From week 1, Christopher Granger confirmed the need for my research by commenting: “I think this is a great idea. According to my site supervisor there are bullying cases in the court system right now. With the advancement of technology I think this may be the tip of the ice burg as kids can be relentless.”  

Chad Holder in our week 2 discussion board echoed the need for my research as well as added some insight on ‘honor based courses’ sorely needed with his comment: Very interesting idea!! I don't believe that there is anything such as honors courses anymore ... all the group work and the study halls and kids just do a few problems while others do a few and then they swap papers and fill in the blanks!!”

In the week 3 discussion Shawn Jensen weighed in with his observation that ‘cheating’ has become a society wide epidemic!  He commented: “This sounds like very interesting and involved undertaking that will really provide you with some great information. Cheating is becoming all to prevalent in our society, and sadly often times goes unrecognized/unpunished. Whether it is through plagiarism or using a program to flick answers from one IPhone to another, some students give little thought to producing ethical work but rather look for the easy road. I look forward to your results. They could potentially impact many other campuses as well.”

In the week 4 discussion board concerning challenges that I would face in my research journey I found Elizabeth Rasch comment that: “I am glad to see that I am not the only one with the same dilemma. I am hoping that my time line will help me keep track of it all.” It is comforting to see that others face the same challenges I do.

Finally, in my week 5 discussions, Misty Chesnut confirms what I had hoped would be the case as I completed this course.  She commented: “You certainly seem like you've taken a lot from the course. I agree - I have always felt overwhelmed by curriculum development as well. It is great that your experience has already led you to seek out changes in your own thinking to become a better educational leader. Maintaining that openness and willingness to grow as a leader will surely serve you well as an educator and an administrator. I'm also very interested in seeing your action research data, my topic is also related to classroom ethics.” I do feel that I have taken a lot from this course and relish the upcoming opportunities to use this knowledge to become an effective educational leader.

A big thanks to all mentioned and those I did not include for your input into my action research process.  I firmly believe that peer reflection is vital to the success of my research.

Operation Academic Integrity: Revised Action Research Plan

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." — Warren Buffet

The purpose of this action research study is to determine what the impact of the JPIIHS Academic Honor Code on academic dishonesty among students and measure the number of instances of cheating that occur following each Honor Code investigation.  The following research questions will be investigated:

The Revised Plan

School Vision

To develop leaders who are critical thinkers and effective communicators, committed to service and rooted in faith.

Goal

Determine what the impact of the JPIIHS Academic Honor Code on academic integrity among students.

Action Research

 Is there a relationship between the number of instances of academic dishonesty and Honor Code investigations/hearings?

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIMELINE	ASSESSMENT
Educate the student body about the academic honor code and its student body elected, student led committee.	Class Visits Accompany the Honor Code Student Committee will visit all Theology classes and educate the student body on the purpose of the Honor Code. Program Promotion Assist with the production of all Honor Code Program promotional materials Program Promotion Production Assist with the practicing of the Honor Code Student Committee delivery of the Honor Code Program promotional materials. Family Survey *Plan, and conduct an Honor Code Family Survey gathering data as to the what, why, and how of academic dishonesty. Academic Integrity Community Program *Organize and facilitate a Promoting Academic Integrity Program that brings in community leaders that can address the JPIIHS Student Body as well JPIIHS Organizations, Athletic Programs etc.. on the importance of Integrity in the Work Place and the consequences of the lack there of.	Class Visits *Time allotted/scheduled to attend each training session. *Any audio/visual teaching tools to facilitate in Honor Code education Program Promotion *Honor Code Program promotion production materials *Building space to produce promotional materials Program Promotion Production *Audio/Video technology to record Honor Code Program promotions rehearsals *Building space to produce promotional materials Family Survey *Electronic survey to get to all JPIIHS families via e-mail Academic Integrity Community Program *Media communication with a balances variety of local businesses.  Digital and traditional forms of Honor Code Promotional Materials.  evites set up to coordinate actual visits to the campus.  Schedule media opportunities to showcase the businesses involvement with the program.	Class Visits *Myself to record all data and evaluate presentation Honor Code Curriculum. *Honor Code Student Committee to present Honor Code Curriculum and answer any student body questions. Program Promotion *Myself to oversee/assist production of materials. *Honor Code Student Committee to produce production materials. Program Promotion Production *Myself to assist in and evaluate the rehearsal video production. *Honor Code Student Committee for the production and editing of the rehearsal videos. Family Survey *Myself , Mrs. Nelson, Mr. Mininger to construct survey questions. Academic Integrity Community Program Myself, Mrs. Nelson, JPIIHS Office of Development, JPIIHS Administration, Collin County Business Owners	All 3 Activities This Academic Honor Code Orientation process would begin the third week of school and would take 1 month to implement.	Class Visits *Observe/Document attentiveness and inquisitive interaction of student body to the Honor Code Program Presentation. Program Promotion Spell Check, proof, approve content, and observe student body observations of all Honor Code Program promotional materials. Program Polish Honor Code Student Committee peer rehearsal written critiques. Family Survey *The returned family surveys Academic Integrity Community Program *Post Business Visit/Assembly Student and Faculty Evaluations
Develop an Honor Code Student Committee discussion forum to discuss/ provide data explaining student motivations for academic dishonesty.	Honor Code Committee Forum *Attend/Observe/record data from Honor Code Student Committee meetings as to when, why, and how students cheat. Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Attend/Observe/Record the peer to peer counseling session following each student Honor Code Violation. Honor Code Awareness Parent Meeting *Schedule, organize, plan, and facilitate a Parent Meeting to discuss the survey and other academic integrity issues.	Honor Code Committee Forum *Classroom, Advisory Class Period (20 minutes daily). *Researched questions to ask Committee *Digital resource to record and assess Committee Data Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Honor Code Counseling Session Expectations/Guidelines *Digital resource to record and assess Committee Data Honor Code Awareness Parent Meeting *Power Point Presentation, Presentation Hall, Meeting Scribe to record all data needed to take back and discuss with Student Honor Code Committee	Honor Code Committee Forum *Myself to record all needed data, Soryia Nelson; Honor Code Faculty Coordinator to facilitate the meetings, and the Honor Code Student Committee to share needed information.  Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Myself, Mrs. Nelson, Honor Code Student Committee, and Honor Code Violators Honor Code Awareness Parent Meeting *Myself, Mrs. Nelson, Mr. Mininger, Honor Code Parent Committee Chair	Both Activities Begin during the third week of the school year continuing throughout the 2011-2012 school year.	Honor Code Committee Forum *Evaluate instances/category of first time and repeat Honor Code violators for a 9 week grading period.  Assess data and repeat process for next 2 grading periods.              Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Construct and Utilize Counseling Session Evaluation Form to assess effectiveness of these sessions Honor Code Awareness Parent Meeting *Meeting Action Items to be completed with target dates.
Determine the validity of each accusation of academic dishonesty as well as assess the level of moral ineptitude involved.	Honor Code Violation Hearing Participation *Participate in the Hearing as a Panel Member (either three TRUTH students and two teachers, or two TRUTH students and three teachers) Honor Code Violation Hearing Facilitation           *Facilitate the process which involves all aspects of the hearing, provide the materials needed, time is kept, officiating to ensure procedural policies are kept.	Both Activities *Referring teacher’s hearing documentation            * Honor Council Report form *Note taking materials made available to entire panel	Both Activities *Panel of five (either three TRUTH students and two teachers, or two TRUTH students and three teachers) *Referring teacher *Student (must be present) *Parent or counselor (silent observer invited by student) *Coordinator of the Academic Honor Code or school Administrator  (silent observer)	Both Activities Begin with the first scheduled Honor Code Violation Hearing continuing throughout the 2011-2012 school year.	Both Activities *Assess the expedient nature of communication, discipline and the facilitation of the process by: *The referring teacher (if the teacher cannot be present the original office referral will be their statement) will have no more than 10 minutes to explain their position. *The student will have no more than 10 minutes to explain their position.  *Referring teacher is allowed a 5 minute rebuttal. *The student is allowed a 5 minute rebuttal. *Student and referring teacher are excused *Deliberation will last no longer than 15 minutes. *A majority decision  will determine if the student did or did not violate the Academic Honor Code *A unanimous decision will determine whether a school service project is warranted due to violation of the Academic Honor Code premise on lying. *The panel will complete the Honor Council Report form and return it to appropriate school personnel immediately after the hearing

Action Research Plan: Operation Academic Integrity

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." — Warren Buffet

Whenever a child takes on any academic endeavor the primary purpose is to learn.  Learning can occur in any number of ways but the one thing that is consistent throughout all of its varying forms is the responsibility each child has for their individual ‘academic honesty’ throughout the learning process.  At the heart of this responsibility lies the issue of ‘academic integrity’; the moral code or ethical policy of academia. This includes values such as avoidance of cheating or plagiarism; maintenance of academic standards; honesty and rigor in research and academic publishing.

The purpose of this action research study is to determine what the impact of the JPIIHS Academic Honor Code on academic dishonesty among students and measure the number of instances of cheating that occur following each Honor Code investigation.  The following research questions will be investigated:

1. What are the procedures for Suspected Violations of the Academic Honor Code?
2. Is there any correlation between Honor Code violators who accept or challenge the violation accusation?
3. How do hearing procedures affect the outcome of each Honor Code investigation decision?
4. Analyze the levels of disciplinary action as to their effectiveness in preventing repeat and future first time Honor Code violations.

The Research Plan...

School Vision: To develop leaders who are critical thinkers and effective communicators, committed to service and rooted in faith.

Goal: Determine what the impact of the JPIIHS Academic Honor Code on academic integrity among students.

Action Research:  Is there a relationship between the number of instances of academic dishonesty and Honor Code investigations/hearings?

OUTCOMES	ACTIVITIES	RESOURCES/RESEARCH TOOLS NEEDED	RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ACTIVITIES	TIMELINE	ASSESSMENT
Educate the student body about the academic honor code and its student body elected, student led committee.	Class Visits Accompany the Honor Code Student Committee will visit all Theology classes and educate the student body on the purpose of the Honor Code. Program Promotion Assist with the production of all Honor Code Program promotional materials Program Promotion Production Assist with the practicing of the Honor Code Student Committee delivery of the Honor Code Program promotional materials.	Class Visits *Time allotted/scheduled to attend each training session. *Any audio/visual teaching tools to facilitate in Honor Code education Program Promotion *Honor Code Program promotion production materials *Building space to produce promotional materials Program Promotion Production *Audio/Video technology to record Honor Code Program promotions rehearsals *Building space to produce promotional materials	Class Visits *Myself to record all data and evaluate presentation Honor Code Curriculum. *Honor Code Student Committee to present Honor Code Curriculum and answer any student body questions. Program Promotion *Myself to oversee/assist production of materials. *Honor Code Student Committee to produce production materials. Program Promotion Production *Myself to assist in and evaluate the rehearsal video production. *Honor Code Student Committee for the production and editing of the rehearsal videos.	All 3 Activities This Academic Honor Code Orientation process would begin the third week of school and would take 1 month to implement.	Class Visits *Observe/Document attentiveness and inquisitive interaction of student body to the Honor Code Program Presentation. Program Promotion Spell Check, proof, approve content, and observe student body observations of all Honor Code Program promotional materials. Program Polish Honor Code Student Committee peer rehearsal written critiques.
Develop an Honor Code Student Committee discussion forum to discuss/ provide data explaining student motivations for academic dishonesty.	Honor Code Committee Forum *Attend/Observe/record data from Honor Code Student Committee meetings as to when, why, and how students cheat. Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Attend/Observe/Record the peer to peer counseling session following each student Honor Code Violation.	Honor Code Committee Forum *Classroom, Advisory Class Period (20 minutes daily). *Researched questions to ask Committee *Digital resource to record and assess Committee Data Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Honor Code Counseling Session Expectations/Guidelines *Digital resource to record and assess Committee Data	Honor Code Committee Forum *Myself to record all needed data, Soryia Nelson; Honor Code Faculty Coordinator to facilitate the meetings, and the Honor Code Student Committee to share needed information.  Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Myself, Mrs. Nelson, Honor Code Student Committee, and Honor Code Violators	Both Activities Begin during the third week of the school year continuing throughout the 2011-2012 school year.	Honor Code Committee Forum *Evaluate instances/category of first time and repeat Honor Code violators for a 9 week grading period.  Assess data and repeat process for next 2 grading periods.              Honor Code Committee Peer Counseling Sessions *Construct and Utilize Counseling Session Evaluation Form to assess effectiveness of these sessions
Determine the validity of each accusation of academic dishonesty as well as assess the level of moral ineptitude involved.	Honor Code Violation Hearing Participation *Participate in the Hearing as a Panel Member (either three TRUTH students and two teachers, or two TRUTH students and three teachers) Honor Code Violation Hearing Facilitation           *Facilitate the process which involves all aspects of the hearing, provide the materials needed, time is kept, officiating to ensure procedural policies are kept.	Both Activities *Referring teacher’s hearing documentation            * Honor Council Report form *Note taking materials made available to entire panel	Both Activities *Panel of five (either three TRUTH students and two teachers, or two TRUTH students and three teachers) *Referring teacher *Student (must be present) *Parent or counselor (silent observer invited by student) *Coordinator of the Academic Honor Code or school Administrator  (silent observer)	Both Activities Begin with the first scheduled Honor Code Violation Hearing continuing throughout the 2011-2012 school year.	Both Activities *Assess the expedient nature of communication, discipline and the facilitation of the process by: *The referring teacher (if the teacher cannot be present the original office referral will be their statement) will have no more than 10 minutes to explain their position. *The student will have no more than 10 minutes to explain their position.  *Referring teacher is allowed a 5 minute rebuttal. *The student is allowed a 5 minute rebuttal. *Student and referring teacher are excused *Deliberation will last no longer than 15 minutes. *A majority decision  will determine if the student did or did not violate the Academic Honor Code *A unanimous decision will determine whether a school service project is warranted due to violation of the Academic Honor Code premise on lying. *The panel will complete the Honor Council Report form and return it to appropriate school personnel immediately after the hearing

The Nine 'Wonderings' of Action Research

What I am finding as an administrative intern is there are SO MANY areas of potential development/concern for the educational leader it can be quite overwhealming.  Determining what educational areas need attention and the priority of that attention is crucial.  The nine wonderings that Dana provides us with are both thorough and broad reaching.  I found these areas of wonderings extremely 'organizationally helpful'.  I also believe that Dana has listed these wonderings in their order of developmental importance.  I have listed the nine areas of wonderings for many school leaders below for reference:

1. Staff Development
2. Curriculum Development
3. Individual teacher(s)
4. Individual student(s)
5. School culture/community
6. Leadership
7. Management
8. School Performance
9. Social justice or equity issues

I plan to use this list throughout my internship as a development tool and will go back and insure that my Internship Plan involved activities in all nine areas. 

How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs

I see the use of blogs as being a valuable tool for educational leaders in three prmary ways:
1. An expediant, efficient medium for the free exchange of ideas and methods for best practice. 
2. A communicative medium for educational leaders to share professional challenges they are facing.
3. A public forum from which to conduct action research.

Action Research: What I Have Learned

As the son of a 20 year veteran administrator I have certainly been a supportive observer of all of the responsibilities that come with the territory.  Action reasearch, however is something that is quite a new concept for me. 

Over the past week I feel I have developed the beginnings of a solid foundation in the practice of action research.  For starters I had no idea that 'research' could  refer to the systematic study of ones own administrative practice and taking action for change based on what he/she learns as a result of the inquiry.  I had always considered this a portion of professional development and not research. I have always known that to lead any institution in today’s fast paced world we must continually grow, however what I learned is that this growth can only take place when we take a detailed look into the ‘day to day operation’ of our institutions in order to improve our areas of need and sustain our areas of strength. 

I have learned that there is a big difference between 'traditional' research and 'action research'. I have known that due to the specificity of each campus’ unique issues, there is no ‘silver bullet’ solution to the numerous educational problems we face today, however I have come to learn that action research's power lies in the ability it affords administrators and techers to work collaboratively to set vision, analyze data, formulate and institute a plan that will meet the needs of their specific campus.

Finally, I have come to understand several examples of action research in educational settings. Action research exists at it’s most basic level is in the classroom setting. An affective classroom attempts to create a learning partnership between a teacher and their students. Action research in educational settings can also exist within school departments.  Teachers within a department  share organizational, proceedual, as well as instructional ideas and methods in the attempt to meet group standards and goals. Yet another example of action research in an educational setting athletic coaching. Coaching involves the coordination of numerous individuals at both fundamental and advanced levels in the areas of discipline, organization, preparation and performance. It is crucial that an atmosphere of teamwork is developed both on the staff and team in-order for group success to exist.  Several other examples of action research in educational settings are more attention paid to the details of the researce, more ‘buy in’ to the possible sugestions and solutions posed, and greater acceptance of action taken to make the positive change.

Overall, I feel that i have just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to action research.  I intend to continue to grow in my understanding this process in the coming months.