Travelling across America, the authors visited 25 small school districts in 21 states to meet, observe, and interview students, teachers, principals and administrators. Here the authors present research that connects with reality. Through their fascinating description of the physical and educational landscape, the authors capture life in nonurban schools `as it is', and present information that's brutally honest. In this useful book, the authors provide the beginnings of a road map to help small, nonurban districts and communities begin their own journey on the road to better schools.

Practical Action Research, Second Edition is a compilation of critical commentaries that offer practical steps for understanding and implementing action research. The contributors demonstrate how educators can reflect, collect data, and create alternative ways to improve their practice in the classroom and schoolwide. Through the voices of experts from the field, the book provides concrete examples of how action research can transform educational challenges into solutions. This updated edition includes seven new articles, along with a series of inspiring case studies that demonstrate how action research can be used to improve a variety of school situations.

Practical Action Research, Second Edition is a compilation of critical commentaries that offer practical steps for understanding and implementing action research. The contributors demonstrate how educators can reflect, collect data, and create alternative ways to improve their practice in the classroom and schoolwide. Through the voices of experts from the field, the book provides concrete examples of how action research can transform educational challenges into solutions. This updated edition includes seven new articles, along with a series of inspiring case studies that demonstrate how action research can be used to improve a variety of school situations.

'This book is a modern catalyst for change in higher education. I have made it required reading for doctoral students, administrators, and faculty who must update their pedagogy to raise student learning' - Joseph Martin Stevenson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Jackson State University Action research provides a process for educators to individually and collectively study their own situations, try new practices, evaluate those innovations, adjust, and try again. In this second, revised edition, Richard Schmuck demonstrates how educators at all levels can use action research to improve their professional practice and change the culture of their schools, districts, or communities. He shows how educators, by reflecting on their past, present, and future professional practice, can convert frustrations into solvable problems, and offers guidance about the potential pitfalls and challenges experienced when engaging in action research. This updated workbook covers both proactive and responsive models of action research and also includes o Easy-to-understand explanations of methods, steps, and phases o A chapter devoted to questionnaires, interviews, observations, and public documents o Guidelines for both solo and cooperative projects o "How-to" worksheets that guide readers through the process o Journal-writing activities at the end of every chapter o Case studies of real action research projects Practical Action Research for Change is the essential tool for educators to tailor action research to their specific situation and improve professional practice.

The authors of this volume visited 25 small school districts in the US to meet, observe and interview students, teachers, principals and administrators. Here they present research that connects with reality. Through their fascinating description of the physical and educational landscape, the authors capture life in nonurban schools as it is', and present information that is brutally honest. They provide the beginnings of a road map to help small, nonurban districts and communities begin their own journey on the road to better schools.