Connections  

Updated on July 22, 2001

Remember, you need to be "...committed to taking action and effecting positive educational change..." (Mills, p. 4). Your research will enable you to develop some practices that many will use for years to come. So, your next step is to make sure you have re-read and digested Geoffrey Mills' book through Chapter 2: Deciding on an Area of Focus. You have three tasks after you've completed your reading.

1. Meet with your Action Research group. The first task is to revise your problem / purpose statement if necessary and compare your statement with the sample "Area-of-Focus" statements on page 38 of Mills' guide. I think you'll see that you have pretty much accomplished the task of defining your focus statement. Below you will find some excellent examples of some area of focus statements in context.
   • Searching from the Inside Out: by Gail Desler, Alix Peshette, and Cathie Conforti (Middle School)
   • Technology Leadership in Education: by Christie Speed and Mica Brown (Staff Development)
   • Scaffolding CPM: by Debra Griffin (Secondary School Mathematics)
   • The Rambo Server: by Neal Edwards (Secondary School Staff Development) Click on Showcase.
2. Second, study the 9 guidelines for the action research plan on page 38 paying particular attention to number 7. Examine your ideas and draft a working plan that incorporates those 9 guidelines. That is what you will present to the larger group for feedback and "whacks on the side of the head" in the next few months.

This should be a lively and fascinating time for you as you refine your ideas and projects to determine how best to effect some educational change in your district.  Larry, Mike and I all have observed dramatic changes in you as an educated community over the course of your studies, and now it's time to put that learning to good use in your schools.

Your guides on the side,

The Amigos: minus Larry and plus Mary-Ann