Fort Bend ISD VisionFort Bend ISD—the school system of choice to prepare our community for a global tomorrow.

Fort Bend ISD MissionFort Bend ISD provides an environment for each student to acquire knowledge, develop skills, and buildcharacter to lead a productive and responsible life.

Action Research Program Mission/VisionThe FBISD Best Practices Action Research Program isinitiated with the intention of developing and promotingteachers, specialists and administrators’ best practices.Every day, FBISD staff engages in practices that we believe improve student learning and achievement. This program aims to tap into the knowledge, experi-ence and energy behind these best practices and allow teachers, specialists, or administrators to investigate and record their own practices in a more in-depth andsystematic way. The ultimate goals of this program are to disseminate best practices and to enable and empower FBISD staff through this alternative form of professional development.

For more information about the Fort Bend ISD Action Research Program, please contact:

Yuping Anselm, Ph.DCoordinator of Research and Program EvaluationDepartment of Accountability and Program Evaluation3119 Sweetwater Blvd. • Sugar Land, TX 77479Tel: 281-634-1296 • Fax: 281-634-1532Email: Yuping.Anselm@fortbendisd.com

Christie Whitbeck, Ph.D.Deputy Superintendent

Charles E. Dupre, Ed.D.Superintendent of Schools

Fort Bend Independent School District16431 Lexington Blvd.Sugar Land, Texas 77479281-634-1000 www.fortbendisd.com

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Compensation$500 stipend per project, paid at the satisfactory completion of project. The completion of an action research project will also provide additional professionaldevelopment credits.

EligibilityThis program is open to all FBISD teachers and specialists.TimeframeAction research proposals due: 10/31Completion of research reports: 6/30

The Five Ws and One H of Action Research:

What is Action Research?Action Research (AR) is a process in whichparticipants examine their own educationalpractices systematically and carefully usingthe techniques of research. Action Researchinvolves educational practitioners in collectingand analyzing data for their own reflection andimprovement. You determine your own topicwhen you apply.

Why do I want to conduct action research?Action Research allows you, the teacher, specialist and/or administrator, an opportunityto systematically examine your own practices.The findings resulting from the investigationwill be immediately useful to you and/or otherpeers around you.

When can I conduct action research?You should conduct action research duringyour regular day-to-day instructional time. Thepractice can be one which you are currentlyengaged in or intend to start soon. Either way,the action research project should be one thatincurs no additional instructional burden.

Where can I conduct action research?Right where you are working day-to-day! Yourown classroom or campus is where the actionresearch should take place!

Who can I conduct action research with/on?You can work alone, work in teams, or find a research“buddy” to plan and work on the project together. Theaction research projects should be aimed at improv-ing student achievement and professional practices.

How can I conduct an action research?Start by filling out the action research proposal form. You will need to define the student population,student achievement data, and professional prac-tices in your project. You will also need to determinehow and when to collect your data.

Starting PointsHave you ever had any of the following questions/comments during your instructional careers? These questions/comments are good starting points for action research projects.

1. I would like to improve...2. I am perplexed by...3. Some people are unhappy about...4. I'm really curious about...5. I want to learn more about...6. An idea I would like to try out in my class is...7. Something I think would really make a difference is...8. Something I would like to do to change is...9. Right now, some areas I'm particularly interested in are...

Based on these questions, you could come up with your own action research project. You canwork by yourself, work with a research “buddy” or a research team (no more than 5 people). It isup to you! All grade levels, all programs, and allsubjects will be considered. The winning action research proposals will be chosen by a selectioncommittee.

For a typical action research report, you will needto conduct a detailed literature review, report yourresults, and discuss your findings and reflections.The final action research report is due on June 30,and you are required to present your research findings in an approved venue (i.e. a faculty meeting). At the completion of your report, $500and additional professional development credits will be awarded per project.

Procedures1. Please email Yuping.Anselm@fortbendisd.com for a copy of the action research proposal form and a sample action research proposal. 2. Please fill out the action research proposal form and submit it to Yuping.Anselm@fortbendisd.com by Oct. 31.

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