Gathering Data

I am anxious to get on with collecting data for my AR project. School has been very hectic these last few weeks and there is no indication there will be any "break in the action" in the next week or more.
After the Elluminate session today, I feel I should be ready to move to the next step. I also have the insight from the group to further define what effective support for NEs looks like. For example:
1. How often do the NE and IC meet?
2. For how long?
3. What style of mentoring is used by the ICs? (Direct, Indirect, etc.)
4. How much time is spent discussing Classroom Management?
5. How does the IC manage his or her classroom?
6. How does the IC gather information about mentoring skills?
7. How does the IC communicate needs of the NE to the NE?
8. What are some suggestions made to NE about classroom management?

Collecting Data

On to the next step: collecting data

Thanks to Amy and last week's Elluminate session, I have a pretty clear idea what to do next in gathering and analyzing my data. Also, I have observed the Session 1 Elluminate from last week and this has also given me some ideas for my next steps. Thank you Stacey, I especially like the interview technique.

1. I am concentrating on the areas of effective classroom management and instructional coach support.
   
2. Questions posted earlier need revision
3. I am not sure how to tie in the role of each survey participant to the actual questions. In other words, if the participant selects the role of instructional coach, should the questions be worded specifically for that role?
4. Or should the questions address the beginning teacher experience for each participant?

• Please indicate your role:
• Instructional Coach ____
• New Educator ________
• Support Staff _________
• Administrator ________
  

• As a New Educator, how was support given to you in the area of classroom management?
• Were there areas of classroom management in which you needed more support? If so, what were those areas?
  
• What support did you receive in classroom management?
• What support worked well?
• What support did not work?
• What would have helped you to make your classroom management more effective?
• What suggestions do you have to improve the induction process?

Specific indicators of classroom management to observe:

• Rules posted
• Consistency
• Organization
  
• Positive reinforcement
  
• Visible schedule
• Daily routine
• Opening and closing procedures
• Differentiated curriculum for students with special needs

My "Final" Question

This is it! I have finally determined my action research question. I think.
I have been told that forming the question is the most difficult part, and I believe it!
Or at least I hope it is the most difficult part, because I am having a hard time with the development of mine.

My Question is:
How do instructional coaches support the implementation of effective classroom management?

****I believe this is an important question because I know from my reading and research that effective classroom management (Wong) is the number one causing factor in promoting student achievement. In addition, I know that without effective classroom procedures established during the first few weeks of school, a teacher will face challenges all year long to gain control of the classroom. I also know that without effective classroom management more time is wasted in the classroom over the course of a school year (Sprick) than is spent actively teaching and learning.

**** I believe that support for a developing teacher in the area of classroom management leads to student progress?
My concerns: Does my action research have to prove this? Because at this point I am trying to wrap this up, so I don't want to extend myself beyond what I can feasible cover.

****I feel that Effective Classroom Management is defined as including but not limited to the following:

• Rules posted
• Consistency
• Organization
  
• Positive reinforcement
  
• Visible schedule
• Daily routine
• Opening and closing procedures
• Differentiated curriculum for students with special needs
  

****Is it realistic for new educators to have all the above mentioned pieces in place?