Action Research and the Superintendent

Action Research is important to anyone who wishes to move through the field of education especially if they are considering any position of leadership.  In particular, the office of Superintendent must understand the idea which considers the school district as a community of learners.  With this in mind, we must understand the process of including the stakeholders of the district and provide an example as the instructional leader.

Action Research provides us with the opportunity to reflect on our actions and how we can incorporate others in to the decision making process.  As we include others in the problem solving of the district as a Superintendent, we must reflect on what can make us stronger through the use of a team effort in the review of data.  As the educational leader of the district, we must at all times view our actions as examples for those around us.  Our daily activities whether it is during the work day or outside of our normal duties as Superintendent must provide the proper behavior for not only a district leader but also a community leader.  Action Research provides us the feedback that is essential to maintaining  the goals of the district and how we as Superintendent can best lead in that direction both during the normal work day and in the community.  Our actions serve at all times the idea that a district’s Superintendent is the Instructional leader.

As a regular portion of the decisions making process, Action Research provides stakeholders the opportunity to maintain an active role in the advancement of the long range educational goals of a district.  As Superintendent we must understand that although we may be ultimately responsible for each aspect of the educational process in our district, we do not have all of the answers.  Therefore the importance of our own reflective review provides others with the example that to maintain openness to suggestions thus providing out students the best option for a quality education.

In developing my own plan to include school district stakeholders in the decision making process, Action Research will play an important role in the inclusion of feedback from those who can add to the educational process of our  district.