1. Next steps & future cycles: Developing an action plan
Chapter 7
Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators (4/e)
Craig A. Mertler SAGE Publications, 2014

2. Developing an Action Plan
Action plan—formal or informal plan for some type of action, implementation, or revision that follows from the results of an action research project
Formal or informal may depend largely on purpose of project
Informal action plans
Brief statements or simple descriptions of plan to revise or implement new educational practice
Plan to share results with local audiences
Formal action plans
Complete written report for presentation or publication
Plan is strategy for putting into practice changes resulting from action research project

3. Developing an Action Plan
Possible, and common, outcomes of action research studies:
Greater understanding of situation is developed
New problem is discovered
Plan, program, method is found to be effective
Plan, program, method is found to need modification
Plan, program, method is found to be ineffective
“Based on what I have learned from my study, what should I do now?”
Note the integration of reflection yet again

4. Developing an Action Plan
Complete “Steps to Action” chart (see Figure 7.1) as a guide
Levels of action plans:
Individual action planning
Results from individual teacher-researchers engaged in the process
Guided by professional development, leading change in their classroom or school, coursework, or grant activity
Primary audience is typically the individual teacher
Conducted the research, but also target of action plan
Others may still be interested in results

5. Developing an Action Plan
Team action planning
Action research conducted by teams of teachers
May result from networks of teachers, perhaps in different schools or districts
Typically will share a common area of interest
Sometimes easier to facilitate, since labor is divided up
Realize that this can also be a disadvantage
Commitments from all team members is critical
School-level or districtwide planning
All members of a broader group decide on a common focus within the building or district
Becomes a communitywide effort for school improvement

6. Developing an Action Plan
Action planning and REFLECTION
Reflection on where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and where you’re going
Potential to lead to much more action research/professional development activities
Important questions:
What were the intended and unintended effects of your actions?
What educational issues arise after examining what you’ve learned about your practice?
REMEMBER: all of this has stemmed from systematic inquiry into your own practice

7. Action planning template
Action Planning for Practice and Next Cycles of Action Research

8. Action research checklist 7
Action Research Checklist 7: Action Planning for Practice and Future Cycles of Action Research ☐ Revisit your research question(s). ☐ Sketch out an answer to each research question, based specifically on the results of your data analysis. ☐ Spend some time reflecting on the process of conducting action research. ☐ What did you learn about your topic that you didn’t know before you started? ☐ Did you experience any unintended consequences from your action research study? ☐ Did this process force you to reevaluate any preconceptions you may have held about your practice, your students, or education in general? ☐ List several possible recommendations or ideas for changes to your practice that might result from your action research study. ☐ List several possible recommendations or ideas for your next cycle of action research.