How Can Stakeholders Best Facilitate

Action Research & Professional Learning?

Taxpayers /Business / Media

• holding a positive perception of teachers , i.e. if you can read this thank a teacher!
• look at what is right with teaching, not with what is wrong
• support effective teachers in Action Research
• financial and physical resources for Action Research (A.R.) projects
• provide experts
• create unfettered partnerships
• exchanges and work terms for teachers

Federations

• on-line chat line for new teachers
• internet based resources: resources: material and human power
• PD opportunities
• create a collaborative environment for Action Research

The Government & the Ministry

• provide stable funding indexed to inflation and population growth
• provide a stable adequate source funding for Action Research
• provide a framework for stakeholder interactions and strategies for such discourse
• create a climate that supports and encourages risk-taking and change
• Ministers of educaiton should undertake a dialogue with teachers based on Action Research
• provide adequate resources to staff
• develop needs based budgets
• celebrate action research
• provide more P.D. activity opportunities
• publicize projects

Ontario College of Teachers

• promote Action Research as an acceptable method of teacher evaluation
• provide province-wide acceptable practices for Action Research
• provide Action Research workshops around the province for interested teachers
• make library sources , books, articles, journals accessible to teachers
• publish teacher Action Research reports

Principals

• ask the questions that encourage reflection
• help teachers identify problems and propose strategies to arrive at solutions
• emphasize the importance of lifelong learning
• discourage dependency and top-down policies
• sustain hope in presence of adversity, i.e. we can make a difference
• model inquiry
• provide time, support, financial resources
• provide motive and opportunity
• create a climate of collaboration and reflective enquiry

School staffs

• accept that change is moving forward: get ready, be a part
• stay informed
• plan with groups of teachers
• share resources
• dialogue at meetings regarding positive change
• buy into a shared vision
• support colleagues
• get involved in Action Research
• find out what works and what doesn't

Universities

• publish research findings
• challenge ministry policies unsupported by research
• join with teachers to improve education i.e. A.R. projects in more schools
• invite classroom teachers to visit/join the university as adjunct staff
• provide more teachers trainers
• provide more P.D. activity opportunities
• work with federations to support Action Research

Parents

• convey a commitment to education
• participate in Action Research
• work with like-minded parents
• see the big picture
• lobby for schools and teachers
• become informed
• interpret school/community, community/school
• laud school change

[ Jennifer Jilks | Articles | Last updated: Aug. 8/02 ]