Using Action Research to Facilitate School Improvement.

This study describes a joint project between a mid-sized urban school district and local university. Specifically, district and university personnel collaborated to provide action research training for building leadership teams. A multi-method approach was used to identify the barriers and facilitators of the use of action research training as a method for teachers to create school improvement. A content analysis of the action research plans that were a summative product of the training is provided. Findings include the importance of both technical research skills and attention to the provision of time as a resource for those involved with school improvement efforts.