1. Professional Learning Community (PLC)
on Student-Centered
Learning in High School
November 20, 2013
4:00- 6:00 pm

2. PLC and Project Leadership report out on progress since last meeting

3. Focus on Action Research
Site visits
Documentation of Meetings
Documentation of Action Research
Structure for reflection

4. Developing our Theory of Action
What is a Theory of Action?
A set of underlying assumptions about how we will move our organization from its current state to its desired future.
It must align intended theory with the realities of work within an organization
Connects strategy to the actions and relationships critical to student learning
Identifies the mutual dependencies that are required to complete the complex work of instructional improvement
Grounded in research and evidence-based practice

5. Theory of Action
Begins with a causal statement between what we do and what constitutes a good result for the organization.
High leverage for achievement and equity
Powerful enough to transform programs and practices

6. Broad Theory of Action

7. Better Theory of Action
DAVID

8. Best Theory of Action

9. Theory of Action Proposed Strategy: If we do this (Describe in detail)
Then “X” will happen (Explain in research base or theory base why this will work)
And we will see this result in

10. Action Research Cycle

11. Measuring our Action Research Progress
observation schedules – of children, students or themselves;
audio and video tape recording;
structured or semi-structured interviews;
class records;
statistical indicators;
field notes;
an analytic memo;
photography;
repertory grids;
questionnaires
? might be children’s engagement during science sessions. Each method will give access to different aspects of the situation. There will still be areas not illuminated, but more is known than if only one method is used. Also, cross-referencing of data from different methods adds to the overall reliability of the research process.