1.
Directions: Each student will identify an issue, problem or concern for which they would like to develop an Influencing Action Plan (IAP). Topic/Issue must fall into one of three areas: schoolwide policies and programs, teaching and learning, and communications and community relations.
The final product will be a plan of action that exhibits high-quality research and detailed plans for advocating on behalf of the issue/problem/concern that you have identified. Read the article: Calhoun, E. F. (2002). Action research for school improvement. Educational leadership, 59(6), 18-24, to assist in developing a conceptual framework for this project. The following information should be identified and explored within the context of the IAP:
2. Introduction – Describe your rationale for selecting this issue/topic. Document communication and discussion with educators in local school district (Interview). A clearly defined and researchable issue/topic and rationale for selection (and leadership) must be identified with appropriate data supporting the selection. References to School Improvement Plan (SIP) and identification of relationship of topic/issue to the SIP MUST be included.
3. Situational Analysis and Perspective Taking
• A description of the situation / issue from yourperspective
• Your position, your role, and your reason for advocating for this issue
• A description of the situation / issue from the various perspectives of all constituents who may have a vested interest in the outcome – students, teachers, administrators, parents.
• Current strategies to address the problem/issue described.
• Desired outcomes delineated.
• Relevant data and references provided.
2. Investigation / Research
• Current in-depth information and data on the Issue provided. How do you know it is a problem? Use of SIP, school reports, popular media sources, state and regional as well as national data may be included.
• Scholarly research regarding the issue or problem? What strategies does research identify that have successfully addressed or solved the issue? (A minimum of five references)
• Research data described, analyzed, and discussed that supports school improvement efforts and teacher leadership in supportive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive school settings.
3. Actions / Steps
• What strategies would you plan to use influence change on behalf of the issue/problem being researched? Research that you identified in the previous section should be incorporated into your plans. As such, most of your strategies should be accompanied by a reference to the research that informs your plan.
• What steps, in order, will it take to initiate this change – from communicating your identification of the problem, seeking permission to proceed, involving constituents necessary for success, how to approach others, exploration of options, seeking buy-in?
• You must demonstrate how you are building leadership capacity in your school that involves all major stakeholders; e.g., participation pattern must be identified.Please note that the establishment of multiple professional learning communities (with various names) may be necessary to affect change. For example, professional development, school-community liaison group, book study, lesson study, school improvement teams, etc.
• And your plan must reflect a consideration of the difficulties and obstacles that will be faced in your work as teacher leader attempting to address this issue/problem and build sustainable schoolimprovement.
4. Concluding comments
• Your concluding comments should “revisit” the relevancy of teacher leadership as an influencing activity that builds leadership capacity in a school culture. Your commitment and optimism (or lack of) for the success and sustainability of this effort should also be discussed. Likelihood of solving the issue? How do you know that this issue could be solved? Obstacles and barriers to school improvement efforts and teacher leadership in supportive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive school settings addressed.
5. References used in your IAP. (Must use APA style)
