• Action research is diagnostic, prescriptive, and cyclic. It is not done simply because a directive was given to research a topic. Nor is it done because some expert and some conference said “X” is the answer to all educational woes, so we must research and implement it. Action research is engaged and implemented to address a specific concern. Action research can be done at the district level to address a district-wide issue. It can be done at the campus level by a principal or other campus leader. It can also be done by teams of teachers to address more specific issues. Content teams may establish goals and use action research to improve scores on content specific tests. Grade levels may address knowledge gaps and vertical alignment. Our campus has divided our teachers AND students into smaller “teams.” These teams use action research to address concerns for individual students on their team. Regardless of the group dynamics and specific goal, action research is an ongoing process. DIAGNOSTIC: The teams identify a need and establish a measurable and obtainable goal. They research the characteristics of the issue and best practices to address it. PRESCRIPTIVE: The research is used to develop and implement a plan, with a timeline. The goal will be measured again. Research is done, again, to determine the effectiveness, concerns and successes. CYCLIC: This research is used to modify the action plan and timeline. The cycle is then repeated.