Action Research Update

It’s been a busy semester thus far, and fitting in my action research plan amongst my other coursework has honestly been a challenge. That being said, though, I’ve made it work and I’m happy to have progressed a little further along both in this project and my internship hours. I’ve worked on the following three specific steps: 1. Convene an audition review committee – This step was particularly helpful in generating areas of the audition process that needed specific attention. The committee was appropriately composed of an administrator, students of each grade level, parents of students in each grade level, and alumnae representative. Notes from this discussion will directly impact my revisions to the 2013 tryout process. 2. Adjust curriculum in Spring Prep Classes – At the request of my students, I’ve tempered our technique/conditioning work with additional choreography this semester. I think the students will benefit from the choreography that will make them more comfortable and prepared at auditions. 3. Guest Teachers/Physical Therapists – I was pleased to invite two athletic trainers/therapists to each of my prep classes. They instructed students on proper alignment for stretching and gave them specific theraband exercises to do at home. I have incorporated several of the techniques into my daily warmup. The next big step is to jump feet first into Survey Monkey and get my surveys out before the semester ends and the students/parents lose details from the last tryout process. While I do anticipate several changes to my AR as I complete the process, I do not have any changes to report at this time.

Technology Manners Matter Presentation

Here's the full version of my presentation!

Updated Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: How can I modify the current Highland Belle audition protocols to make the experience more reasonable and satisfying for all stakeholders, regardless of the outcome?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Thoroughly examine audition-related data and documents from previous years.	Shannon Phillips Christie Crummel, previous director Cathy Wheat, previous director	2/1/2013-3/1/2013	Office files, team directory	Compile a spreadsheet listing all available documents and all prior data to date.
Determine the foundational areas of research.  Identify areas for growth in this process.	Shannon Phillips	2/15/13 – 3/15/13	Audition-related data, personal experience	Master list compiled for further use in this process.
Obtain audition-related documents in use in three similar programs.	Shannon Phillips Stephanie Lyle, CFISD Alice Dack, FMISD Erin Campbell, AISD	3/1/13-4/1/13	Applications, parent meeting agendas, score sheets, tabulation software, prep course syllabus, etc.	Review all data; look for similarities and differences; note ideas to incorporate into program
Convene an audition review committee.	Shannon Phillips Walter Kelly, Principal, Site-Supervisor One parent representative from each class (9th-12th) One student representative from each class (9th-12th) Alumnae representative	4/1-13-4/15/13	Conference room of adequate size Post-it notes Pens Legal pads Supporting audition documents	Brainstorm new ideas and discuss current protocols Ask/answer questions Record responses
Survey students who auditioned in 2012 and their parents: a)    Returning members b)    New candidates who made the team c)    New candidates who did not make the team.	Shannon Phillips Emily Sanchez, Assistant Director	3/1/13-4/15/13	Internet-based survey program	Results of electronic survey
Interview colleagues who serve as judges in Fine Arts auditions.  Gather data on how their experience at HP compares with their experiences elsewhere.  Scoring, agenda, curriculum, etc.	Shannon Phillips Lisa Dalton Erin Green Kelli Finglass Dana Blair Shelly Wayne	3/15/13-4/1/13	Use of email to communication information	Review interview questions and look for similarities in ideas presented in other steps
Based on survey results, adjust curriculum in Spring Prep Classes	Shannon Phillips	4/1/13-5/30/13	Planning calendar	Student achievement in performance at end of each unit
Invite guest physical therapists to give injury prevention workshop to Prep Classes. Incorporate exercises into prep classes on a weekly basis.	Shannon Phillips Dave Suprenant Andrea Maynard	3/1/13-5/30/13	Therabands Injury Prevention Handout	Reduction in injuries during the Spring 2013 semester; evaluate again after Auditions in December 2013.  Compare data.
Roll out new audition procedures at Mandatory Parent/Candidate meeting	Shannon Phillips Emily Sanchez, Assistant Director Evan Heckmann, Assistant Principal	10/13	Updated application, policies, audition-related document, score sheet, power-point presentation	Pay attention to questions asked after meeting.
Administer pre-tryout survey to students prior to 2013 audition.	Shannon Phillips	11/13	Internet-based survey program	Review survey results, reteach or address any areas of concern.
Hold 2013 Auditions	Shannon Phillips Emily Sanchez, Assistant Director Evan Heckmann, Assistant Principal	12/2/13-12/7/13	Facilities Judges Choreography	Record and review each event
Add 2013 data to that from 2011 and 2012.  Compare results.	Shannon Phillips	12/15/13-1/15/13	spreadsheet	Compare final audition results
Administer same survey from 2012 to all students (and their parents) involved in 2013 audition.	Shannon Phillips	2/15/13- 3/15-13	Internet-based survey program	Look for improvements based on initial list of areas of growth.  Add to cumulative data.
Present findings and recommendations at the 2015 Texas Dance Educators Association Annual Convention.	Shannon Phillips	1/2015	PowerPoint presentation Laptop Projector Screen Handouts	Workshop evaluations will be completed by membership at the close of my presentation.

Action Planning Template

This week's assignment involved putting some action steps towards this action research project.  Here's how I anticipate this to work...

Action Planning Template
Goal: How can I modify the current Highland Belle audition protocols to make the experience more reasonable and satisfying for all stakeholders, regardless of the outcome?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Thoroughly examine audition-related data and documents from previous years.	Shannon Phillips Christie Crummel, previous director Cathy Wheat, previous director	2/1/2013-3/1/2013	Office files, team directory	Compile a spreadsheet listing all available documents and all prior data to date.
Identify areas for growth in this process.	Shannon Phillips	2/15/13 – 3/15/13	Audition-related data, personal experience	Master list compiled for further use in this process.
Obtain audition-related documents in use in three similar programs.	Shannon Phillips Stephanie Lyle, CFISD Alice Dack, FMISD Erin Campbell, AISD	3/1/13-4/1/13	Applications, parent meeting agendas, score sheets, tabulation software, prep course syllabus, etc.	Review all data; look for similarities and differences; note ideas to incorporate into program
Convene an audition review committee.	Shannon Phillips Walter Kelly, Principal, Site-Supervisor One parent representative from each class (9th-12th) One student representative from each class (9th-12th) Alumnae representative	4/1-13-4/15/13	Conference room of adequate size Post-it notes Pens Legal pads Supporting audition documents	Brainstorm new ideas and discuss current protocols Ask/answer questions Record responses
Survey students who auditioned in 2012 and their parents: a)    Returning members b)    New candidates who made the team c)    New candidates who did not make the team.	Shannon Phillips Emily Sanchez, Assistant Director	3/1/13-4/15/13	Internet-based survey program	Results of electronic survey
Interview colleagues who serve as judges in Fine Arts auditions.  Gather data on how their experience at HP compares with their experiences elsewhere.  Scoring, agenda, curriculum, etc.	Shannon Phillips Lisa Dalton Erin Green Kelli Finglass Dana Blair Shelly Wayne	3/15/13-4/1/13	Use of email to communication information	Review interview questions and look for similarities in ideas presented in other steps
Based on survey results, adjust curriculum in Spring Prep Classes	Shannon Phillips	4/1/13-5/30/13	Planning calendar	Student achievement in performance at end of each unit
Invite guest physical therapists to give injury prevention workshop to Prep Classes. Incorporate exercises into prep classes on a weekly basis.	Shannon Phillips Dave Suprenant Andrea Maynard	3/1/13-5/30/13	Therabands Injury Prevention Handout	Reduction in injuries during the Spring 2013 semester; evaluate again after Auditions in December 2013.  Compare data.
Roll out new audition procedures at Mandatory Parent/Candidate meeting	Shannon Phillips Emily Sanchez, Assistant Director Evan Heckmann, Assistant Principal	10/13	Updated application, policies, audition-related document, score sheet, power-point presentation	Pay attention to questions asked after meeting.
Administer pre-tryout survey to students prior to 2013 audition.	Shannon Phillips	11/13	Internet-based survey program	Review survey results, reteach or address any areas of concern.
Hold 2013 Auditions	Shannon Phillips Emily Sanchez, Assistant Director Evan Heckmann, Assistant Principal	12/2/13-12/7/13	Facilities Judges Choreography	Record and review each event
Add 2013 data to that from 2011 and 2012.  Compare results.	Shannon Phillips	12/15/13-1/15/13	spreadsheet	Compare final audition results
Administer same survey from 2012 to all students (and their parents) involved in 2013 audition.	Shannon Phillips	2/15/13- 3/15-13	Internet-based survey program	Look for improvements based on initial list of areas of growth.  Add to cumulative data.