Kevin Urbanek's Action Research Blue Print

Implementation of School Uniforms
Goal: My goal is to research the potential benefits of school uniforms at Needville ISD.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Initial Discussion of School Uniform policy with site mentor- Friday June 29,2012	Kevin Urbanek Karen Smart Doug Grigar	Start: June 29, 2012 End: June 29,2012	N/A	I met with my site mentors and we discussed possible action research topics.  We all came to agreement that school uniforms would be my topic.
Form and head the School Uniform Committee	Kevin Urbanek	Start:  August 1, 2012 End: Sept 1, 2012	1. Participation of teachers 2. Information letter sent to all teachers 3. Signup sheet for those teachers interested
1st Uniform Committee Meeting	1. Kevin Urbanek 2.  Uniform Committee team members- TBA	Sept. 12, 2012	1. Secure a meeting room 2. Informational outline of this research project

Send out faculty surveys to get their pros/cons of school uniforms	1. Kevin Urbanek	Oct. 24, 2012	1. Formulate a teacher survey 2. Send survey out via email
2nd Uniform Committee Team Meeting	Uniform Committee Team	Nov. 14, 2012	1. Secure meeting room 2. Faculty survey results 3.  Formulate parents information letter and survey
Send an information  letter and survey home to parents	Kevin Urbanek	Dec. 3, 2012
3rd Uniform Committee Team Meeting	Uniform Committee Team	Feb. 6, 2013	1. Review and report to committee on parent surveys 2.  Discuss next plan of action
1st Parent information night hosted at Needville JH	Uniform Committee Team	April 8, 2013	1. Secure Gym for meeting 2. Secure several styles, colors and prices of uniforms.
2nd Parent information night hosted at Needville JH	Uniform Committee Team	May 6 2013	1. Secure Gym for meeting 2. Secure several styles, colors and prices of uniforms
4th Uniform Committee Meeting	Uniform Committee Team	Aug 26, 2013	1. Secure meeting room 2. Formulate presentation for Needville ISD School Board
Present proposal for Needville JH School to implement school uniforms	Uniform Committee Team	Sept 18, 2013

Educational Blogging Leaders

Blogging? I had heard of blogging but never took the time to look into what it actually was.  I can definitely see where blogging could be a major benefit for an administrator.  There are numerous ways that as administrator you can use blogging.  You can use it a research tool which will help you track and reflect on your personal career development.  I allows you to share or receive pertinent information with educational colleagues colleagues.  Best of all it is a very inexpensive way to get an abundance of professional development.

Thoughts on Action Research

Thoughts on Action Research:

     Since my journey of attaining my Masters in Education started I have been introduced to many new perspectives of educational administration.  Action research is the most recent that I have studied.  Sure I had heard about it from some of my administrators but I never took the time to actually realize what it was, what all is involved, and how much it can help.  I now understand that in order for me to be successful personally and professionally I will have to have action research projects.
    
     I feel that action research can be summed up in 2 words and those would be INSIDE CHANGE.  In order for an administrator to formulate the idea of starting an action research they must see some need for change.  The need for change can vary from all aspects of their school.  Their school may need a change out of the students, teachers, school procedures, or it may be a personal change for the administrator.  As with all types of research the main goal is usually some type of change.  Then the information is taken and presented out to a broad spectrum of individuals.  This is where action research is different.  Action research is formulating changes for the inside.  As an educational administrator your action research is for changes that are needed in you particular school or district. 
   
     Simply put I feel as an administrator you need to be able to see the changes that are needed and take action.  You will need to formulate your concerns/ideas and seek answers to those questions.  You will need to take time for reflection to monitor your work and allow you to experiment with different solutions that you have formulated.  Once you feel you have a good plan collaboratively put your plan into action.
    
     Action research is a pillar of educational administration.  Action research will allow you as an administrator to become better both personally and professionally.  The education world is always in a
constant mode of change and as an administrator you must be able to make those changes.