Selecting an Action Research Topic

I’ve reviewed some topics for my intern plan and have identified 3 topics. The first topic I discussed with my site supervisor as a possible action research project was brought about because we have problems communicating with parents that’s do not live near the district. The purpose of this research project would be to investigate ways to provide meaningful two way communication between parents and schools in the school districts. This system we currently use to communicate to parents is mailing inserts to parents during grading periods. Another topic I discussed with my site supervisor is a concern spoken about in a staff meeting that questioned if as a district we are meeting the needs for our students to be competitively employable, self-sufficient and have a grasp an understanding of people and life in a more diverse setting than the rural community they come from. Basic education does not alone prepare our youth to be successful after a high school educating. Our administration wants to review and research that the students we are graduating have the knowledge to succeed in life. Lastly, another focus that my supervisor and I discussed was looking into the idea of implementing an extended day program that would allow our school district to formulate effective school programs for tutoring as well as extend lab time that a regular class period doesn’t allow for. In the first topic all stakeholder would benefit. Being able to communicate between home and school are instrumental for a district. Open communication makes for better relationships and encourage empowerment and trust for the school. Parents are the primary educators of their children and teachers and school staff through teamwork can make this relationship function. The second topic will benefit mainly students but would also be a pleasing benefit to the school district and parents to know their children have learned the skills they need to succeed after graduation. Education and knowledge are the two most important tools for success. Students must know how the finance their money, be self sufficient, goal setting amongst many other topics. It’s important for a student is to be able to find the answers and tools they need to take charge of your life. Lastly, being a teacher sometimes doesn’t give you enough time in class to devote to classroom academic learning. Could we possible extend some after school time for activities to included structured academic class time to explore material and informal learning that isn’t possible in a class period?