Action Research for Classrooms, Schools, and Communities is a core textbook for the action research course. This book addresses the trend toward high-stakes testing and teacher accountability by focusing on understanding student outcomes. With edTPA rapidly becoming part of the requirements for teacher certification, teacher preparation programs will increasingly be looking to measure the impact of the teacher candidate on student learning. The book focuses on the potential for action research to lead to greater understanding about student outcomes from the perspective of teachers, school leaders, and community members. There is a special emphasis on helping pre-service and experienced teachers use action research to understand their impact on student learning. There is an emphasis on using action research to understand community impacts on schools; unlike other books, this text acknowledges the complex ecology linking classrooms, schools, and the community, especially regarding issues fundamental to school reform.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Answering the Call to Action Chapter 1: Action Research in Contemporary Contexts Defining Action Research Action Research and the Context of Contemporary School Reform Complex Educational Systems Systems Theory Rationale for Action Research Defining Action Research Main Features of Action Research Change as the Desired Outcome Chapter 2: Approaches to Action Research "Something That Matters" Approaches to Educational Research Identifying an Action Research Topic: Problem Posing and Reflection Action Research Case Studies and Understanding Your Impact on Student Learning Collaborative Action Research Projects Action Research Across the Educational System Methodological Approaches Part II: Planning an Action Research Study Chapter 3: Literature Review and Theoretical Frameworks Planning Your Study Reviewing Relevant Literature Guiding Theoretical Frameworks Selected Theories Action Research Compared to Traditional Educational Research Chapter 4: Research Questions and Ethics Problem Posing: Developing Research Questions Planning for Data Collection Choosing Between Qualitative and Quantitative Methods Ethical Concerns Institutional Review Boards Part III: Collecting and Analyzing Data Chapter 5: Qualitative Approaches to Data Collection Chapter Overview Qualitative Data Collection Chapter 6: Understanding Through Qualitative Data Analysis Chapter Introduction Data Analysis and Action Research Procedures for Data for Qualitative Analysis Understanding Validity and "Trustworthiness" Chapter 7: Quantitative Approaches to Data Collection and Analysis Chapter Overview Working with Assessment Data Surveys and Questionnaires Statistical Analysis Quantitative Content Analysis Mixed Methods Approaches Chapter Reflection Part IV: Sharing Findings Chapter 8: Reflection and the Action Research Report Iterative Nature of Writing Up Findings Reflection on Findings Action Research as "Risky Business" Alternatives to Traditional Written Reports Advocating for Yourself and Others Reflection References Index