Study Steps of Action - Assignment Part 3

Here is what I have for Part 3 of this week's assignment.  It is a little more detailed summary of the steps I will take in the study...using the 8 step model and the cell phone study example.

Setting the Foundation

Through collaboration with site mentors and members of the Above and Beyond (Safe and Civil Schools) committee the issue of bus behavior and students perception of their personal safety on the school bus was identified as a concern.    The focus of my student revolves around this question:  What was the number of bus discipline referrals written within the time period of August 2012 – January 2013 and in what way can positive behavior incentives affect student behavior and the number of bus referrals received by students who ride school buses?

Analyzing Data

I will use data from the Fall School Climate Survey, school bus disciplinary referral records as well as electronic searches on the topic of bus discipline and related incentive plans. 

Some findings from my research include: There are solutions/reactions to discipline problems on school buses that are punitive in nature.

There are solutions/reactions to discipline problems on school buses that revolve around positive incentives.

This study will explore the latter in the hopes that positive incentives can reduce disciplinary problems and referrals on school buses.

Developing a Deeper Understanding

Key stakeholders, i.e. students, bus drivers will be interviewed throughout the study to gain deeper understanding into the pros and cons of the incentive plan developed.  I will randomly ride buses both going to and coming from school observe the known behavioral expectations and types of misbehavior occurring on the buses.  I will use the time on the school bus to interview both the bus drivers and bus riders to probe deeper into their perspectives and opinions of the incentive plan.

Engaging in Self-Reflection

The data will be continually analyzed as the study progresses.  If I notice that the students are not earning the incentives in a timely manner, I may have to survey the students to determine a potential revision of the plan; perhaps the incentive chosen does not hold value with the students or the bus driver’s attitude towards the students could affect their behavior. 

Exploring Programmatic Patterns

Staying in constant contact with my site mentor, the bus duty monitors and bus drivers will assist in keeping the study on track.  The bus duty monitors witness the students as they depart the bus in the mornings and enter on the buses in the afternoon.  Their observations of student attitudes could be valuable to the overall success of the study.

Determining Direction

The purpose of this study is to determine if positive incentives will have an impact on student behavior on our school buses.  The main goal of this study is student safety and their perception of their safety.  When a bus is chaotic and disruptive student’s sense of safety is diminished.  As the study progresses we will look at the effects of the each step and evaluate them to determine if any tweaking is necessary in order to provide the information desired.  Collaboration and communication are vital to ensuring this study is effectively completed.  These areas will be closely monitored and any part of the plan can be revised and improved based on these observations.

Taking Action for School Improvement

A small committee consisting of the site mentor, bus duty monitors, bus drivers and myself will be established to complete this action research study.  The Harris et al. text, Tool 7.1 Action Planning Template, p. 85 will be used to guide the implementation of the research project and to help stay on track. 

Sustain Improvement

A summary report will be created outlining the results of the action research project and the summary report will be shared with the members of the Above and Beyond (Safe and Civil Schools) committee, the school bus drivers and the teachers on our campus.  Should the study yield the positive results expected, the bus behavior incentive plan will be implemented for the 2013-2014 school year.