FBISD Action Research Application Deadline is October 12

During the 2008-2009 school year, the Accountability Department rolled out the first year of Fort Bend ISD Best Practices—Action Research program.  The action research program was initiated with the intention of developing and promoting teachers, specialists and administrators’ best practices.  We envisioned that through engaging teachers, specialists and administrators in conducting action research projects and systematically documenting best practices, we would build the capacity of FBISD educators and establish an evidence base for best practices in FBISD schools.  Ultimately, engaging teachers in action research projects also serves as an alternative form of professional development for FBISD educators.

The action research program derived its impetus from the Harvard University educator Dr. Douglas Reeves’ book Reframing Teacher Leadership to Improve Your School (Reeves, 2008).  In his book, Douglas Reeves advocated providing district and system support for teacher leadership.   System support, he argued, can allow great teachers who are in “islands of excellence” to share their challenges, investigations, results, and subsequently influence practices with their peers.  By introducing this action research program in FBISD, we hope to bridge these “islands of excellence” and to develop and promote teacher leaders within the district.

The year one implementation of the action research program resulted in 11 research projects, seven elementary projects, two middle and two high school projects.  These research projects, ranging from using a creative way to teach vocabulary to second grade students to testing the use of a Classroom Performance System (CPS) in ninth grade biology classes, demonstrate various innovative ideas and practices by FBISD teachers, specialists and administrators.   We are truly honored to present this group of researchers and their work.  These research projects are published on the FBISD accountability department website (http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/accountability/actionResearch/Docs/ActionResearchReport.pdf) now! 

FBISD is committed to continuing the support of educators as they develop their instructional and leadership skills through the reflective practices of action research.  The stipend available per project is $500 and the application deadline this year is Oct. 12, 2009.  For more information about this program, please go to the accountability department website: http://fortbend.k12.tx.us/accountability/actionResearch/default.cfm.   Please send an email to Yuping.anselm@fortbendisd.com for the proposal form and other inquiries.

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