Week 3 - Action Research Plan

Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template

Goal: Select appropriate concert band literature for each of the three performing concert bands at Cypress Falls High School that will enable the ensembles to achieve superior ratings at the University Interscholastic League Region 27 Concert and Sight-reading Contest

Research past results
S. McAnear
2nd week of November, 2010
http://www.uilforms.com/ & compiled list of competitors
List of UIL contest results for our competitors

Research past music selections
S. McAnear
2nd week of November, 2010
http://www.uilforms.com/ and the UIL Prescribed Music List
List of selections including title, composer, grade level and genre

Research music list compilation
S. McAnear
3rd week of November, 2010
UIL Prescribed Music List
Literature list including trending selections, past selections, grade-level appropriate by grade level and genre

Research on each current concert band
S. McAnear, D. Singletary and R. Green
4th week of November, 2010
Cypress Falls Roster Database and 2010 Audition Results
Spreadsheet of strengths and weaknesses for each concert band.

Concert Band Need Assessment and Literature Selection Form Completion
S. McAnear, D. Singletary and R. Green
4th week of November, 2010
Need Assessment and Literature Selection Form
Completion of paperwork

Review of Selection form with Mentors
S. McAnear
1st week of December, 2010
Need Assessment and Literature Selection Form, meeting with P.Gieger and L. Matysaik
List of possible literature selection based on direct conversations with mentors

Concert Band Selections
S. McAnear, D. Singletary and R. Green
2nd week of December, 2010
UIL Prescribed Music List
Final selection of 2011 Concert Band Selections

Share Research Action Plan
S.McAnear
3rd week of December
2011 Concert Band Selections
Presentation of action plan and procedures for implementation

Results
S. McAnear, D. Singletary and R. Green
Mid-April 2011
UIL Region 27 Concert and Sight-reading Contest
Contest Results

Action Research - Week 2

I meet with Wanda Figueroa, an assistant principal at Cypress Falls High School. We discussed several issues during this meeting in a form of brainstorming ideas for action plans. Since Mrs. Figueroa is also the band administrative liaison, we discussed ideas that served the band program as a whole and a few that served the campus. We were able to narrow the list to three possible ideas for the action research.
The first was to research the way in which we design our marching band show. This is typically done in November at the conclusion of the marching band season. The research would include a complete study of this year’s design trends within several successful programs, a complete analysis of our product, a review of what we did well, not well, and what changes we implemented during the season that we did not account for. This project would utilize four faculty members and four consultants on our design team.
The second was to research the correlation between students in L-level, K-level, H-level and AP classes to their TAKs scores. Data research to find passing rates of students in each level of coursework per subject and compare with like-level classmates. In addition, research will be done as to why students are at each coursework level, background information on the teachers that teach each level and those comparisons with others. The third idea and the topic we agreed upon is to action research selections for the concert season. A similar task to the marching band idea, this relates specifically to the concert band setting. This research would be student achievement and data driven and would involve three staff members and the music supervisor for CFISD. Past programs would be analyzed comparing strengths and weaknesses of the group coupled with the perceived success of those groups. Given the current make-up of the concert bands, select appropriate literature for these students that will enable them to achieve at the highest level and be acceptable to the community and competitive arena. This topic was chosen because of the direct benefit to the current band students for this school year and the perceived area weakness in the band program from 2010.

Educational Leaders and Blogging - Week 1

Educational leaders should relish and utilize the ease of posting in blogs. This is one more tool in being able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders. Blogs also allow the opportunity for feedback to the information posted and could perpetuate a running dialog. When used effectively, blogs can serve as an important technology application for information and reflection.

Action Research in Application - Week 1

The action research process is actually something that we use with the band program at Cypress Falls with quite regularity. With the competitive nature of marching band, we are constantly making changes in what we do. While I never thought much about what we do and what it is called, I chuckled as I read the Dana text because it is very similar to the process we have in place for identifying needs for improvement. As a band staff, we started using action research four years ago when we had a particularly disappointing season from competitive standpoint. We analyzed trends in the activity, spoke with countless experts in the field, watched numerous videos of groups that beat us and really took time to compile data relating to design of marching shows. Through this process, the team of directors really grew professionally and the band program made a very strong push competitively speaking. This process was so enlightening and enjoyable that we have continued to utilize action research in designing our shows each year. We have know branched out and have began using this with our concert ensembles and student leadership team. Since their input is valued as an important stakeholder in the success of the program, they now have a more vested interest in what is going on. They easily share and are very receptive to change and making continual improvements to assist our growth.