Action Research Plan

Action Research Question:

What role do extra-curricular activities play in student success, student behavior, graduation rate and attendance at Midland Freshman? In what ways can our staff be supportive of extracurricular activities and encourage more to attend?

• Goals and objectives/outcomes of the research investigation
1. Develop an effective procedure for acquiring new extracurricular opportunities for students.
2. Expand school data analysis to include club, organization and athletic participation.
3. Increase communication to stakeholders defining the importance of extracurricular activities and the effects on student success.
4. Research and identify methods that help sponsors recruit new students and retain membership.
5. Identify methods of collecting student information to use in order to develop student identified extracurricular activities.
6. Feasibility of adding extracurricular activities in school vision, CIP, and goals.
7. Identify sources of funding.
• Activities designed to achieve the objectives
1. Develop a process to record quantitative and qualitative data.
2. Interview current seniors, incoming freshman, parents, staff and administration.
3. Develop a questionnaire to be handed out to staff, students, and parents.
4. Collection of field notes recording behavior in hallways, comments in staff meetings, etc.
5. Review disaggregated data, disciplinary forms, and attendance records.
6. Observe newly formed extracurricular activity on campus.
7. Study educational literature and empirical research on the significance extracurricular activities play in student success.
• Resources and research tools needed for data gathering
1. Campus improvement plan.
2. Field Notes.
3. Interviews.
4. Surveys.
5. Discipline referrals.
6. Attendance records.
7. Educational Journals.
8. Previous studies.