3. Action Research Purpose
The mission for this action research project is to place a deliberate focus on
ongoing training, resources, and support for new and incoming staff members to
the elementary campus environment. I am seeking to investigate if the support
system for these new arrivals is beneficial and making a difference in the
challenging first year experience in the classroom.
In year’s past, new teachers were typically provided with a brief training at
the beginning of the school year to assign teachers a mentor, but with a lack of
a sustainable mentorship program structure. Although these initial supports are
assigned, an essential question is what takes place as the year goes on as these
teaches are in action? Are the new/incoming campus teachers truly receiving
the best support they can? Let’s find out!
4. Fundamental Research Question
Are new/incoming teachers to
the elementary campus receiving
adequate training, resources, and
support to be successful in their
first year of teaching?
5. Data Collection
The most appropriate type of data to collect will involve mixed methods, both
qualitative and quantitative. Majority of the evaluations will be qualitative-based
through ongoing direct new teacher feedback. Additionally, quantitative measures
are just as necessary in order to track student progress through yearly progress
monitoring assessments and the summative STARR assessment.
I believe this mixed methods approach is the best route to take in order to
evaluate the overall impact of the New/Incoming Teacher Induction Program in
regards to new teachers’ voice in their own progress and student learning
achievements displayed. If student learning is successful, the trainings, resources,
and support provided to new teachers will prove to be very meaningful in the
induction process to the elementary campus.
6. Types of Data Measurement
➔ Surveys
◆ Completed by both the mentor/mentee
➔ BOY, MOY, EOY Assessments (Progress Monitoring)
◆ Beginning of Year
◆ Middle of Year
◆ End of Year
➔ STARR (Summative Evaluation)
Overall, this collection of data measurements will provide the necessary
information on the impact of the New/Incoming Teacher Induction
Program. The data will be analyzed monthly to determine new teacher
needs for ongoing support throughout the year.
7. Research Design
This action research project design will serve as my first major
leadership role with training other staff members on my campus. It
will allow me to investigate the best strategies and approaches that
can help new/incoming staff members, as well as provide information
on the new teachers’ perspectives throughout their first year
experience. Therefore, the data going to be collected will be mostly
qualitative, but also quantitative. It will consist of a monthly meeting
and survey to collect data on the new/incoming educators’ needs and
progress throughout the year. Most importantly the monthly
evaluations will show if the training being implemented is successful.
8. Literature Review Focus
For the extent of the literature review, three focus categories of research to
drive this investigation will revolve around the best practices and strategies for
new/incoming teacher training topics, useful resources
(district/campus-oriented), and best support system structures.
➔ Training
➔ Resources
➔ Support
Although three diverse research areas have
been selected, when combined they all serve to
target one overall essential focus…
A SUCCESSFUL
NEW/INCOMING TEACHER INDUCTION
PROGRAM!
9. Resources
Mertler, C. (2019). Action research. Sage Publications, Inc.
Sage Edge (n.d.) Chapter Videos. Sage Publications, Inc.
https://edge.sagepub.com/mertler5e/student-resources/chapt
er/video-resources
Lamar University Course Resources, 2021
