Schoolwide Action Research for Professional Learning Communities
Improving Student Learning Through The Whole-Faculty Study Groups Approach
"Clearly shows the success that can occur when a staff learns together. I highly recommend this book to aspiring and beginning principals, as well as those with years of experience."
—Paul Young, Executive Director, West After School Center
Former President, National Association of Elementary School Principals
Foster schoolwide professional learning through a collaborative action research model!
Action research is a popular method for individual educators to examine their practices and grow in their profession. In this how-to guide, readers will learn how Whole-Faculty Study Groups (WFSGs) use action research to involve an entire school in advancing staff learning and school performance.
The WFSG model is a type of professional learning community (PLC) that catalyzes school change with schoolwide action research as a central component. With over 20 years of experience, the authors draw from hundreds of examples and case studies to describe how implementing WFSGs can help students, teachers, administrators, and other staff members work collaboratively to improve teacher practice and student learning. The authors' empirical data and comprehensive approach help deepen educators' understanding of how to use meaningful action research to strengthen teamwork and realize school reform. Additionally, readers will learn how:
- The WFSG system compares with other approaches to action research
- The schoolwide action research process can be applied in a wide variety of school reform efforts
- Study groups can move from discussion to action
- Principals and district leaders can support schoolwide action research
Discover the ways WFSGs can enhance student learning and result in real school improvement in this highly relevant, must-have guide.
"Clearly shows the success that can occur when a staff learns together. I highly recommend this book to aspiring and beginning principals, as well as those with years of experience."
"Whole-Faculty Study Groups (WFSGs) have proven to be an effective vehicle for job-embedded professional learning in our district. We will be using this new resource to take us to the next level!"
"Clauset, Lick, and Murphy get to the heart of continuous improvement and closing the knowing-doing gap with this powerful tool."
"What a fantastic tool to ensure that districts will be successful in increasing student performance and implementing academic school improvement! The authors have used their understanding of the current issues in education to provide school districts with comprehensive guidelines that will guarantee success for schools involved in action research using data to improve student learning."
"Imagine the impact when every teacher, principal, and central office administrator participates in a small group that focuses on increasing student achievement. The schoolwide action research program described in this book is not mere reform—results are nothing less than transformational."