PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS WITH A PARAGRAPH DEVOTED TO EACH. LIMIT THE TOTAL TO ONE TYPED PAGE. ATTACH THE TYPED PAGE TO THE APPLICATION. Be sure to include at least one researcher’s name on the attached page.

1. Explain why this topic or question is worthy of study both for you and for your students.

2. Give evidence that indicates your ability to successfully complete such a project.

3. Describe how you will share the results of your study in addition to the required published report of your findings.

FUNDING REQUEST: Provide an estimated amount that you are requesting (up to a maximum of $1,000 per individual researcher) to complete this classroom research project, and give a ration-ale for how the money will be used.

Amount Requested:

Rationale: (Work hours, materials,

etc.)

ADMINISTRATOR APPROVAL

I authorize the educator(s) named below to conduct an action research project and will support all efforts, subject to school policies, to insure successful completion of the project.

Print Name Signature & Date

APPLICANT(S) SIGNATURE Print Name Signature &

Date

Send completed application to: Dr. Dan Jonker, Ottawa Area ISD, 13565 Port Sheldon Street, Holland, MI 49424, FAX 738-8945

Questions? Call Dr. Jonker at 616 -738-8940, ext. 4101

Ottawa Area ISD 2008-09 CLASSROOM ACTION RESEARCH PROJECTS

One of the most powerful forms of professional learning involves examination of

personal or team practice through the application of action research.

The Ottawa Area ISD is providing funding to enable teachers and other educa-tional professionals to conduct their own action research projects to show whether specific practices or strategies in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school climate impact student achievement in their school setting.

Our purpose is to maximize student achievement by offering Ottawa Area ISD edu-cators the opportunity to conduct action research projects and share the learning from those projects with the educational community of the ISD.

OUR GOALS

• To increase educator knowledge, understanding and application of promising practices that positively affect student achievement

• To increase professional dialogue around topics that impact learning in the classroom

BENEFITS TO THOSE PARTICIPATING

• Stipends of up to $1000 per person

• Optional 3-graduate credits (pending approval from GVSU—tuition payment and additional on-line work required)

• Opportunity to focus on personal or team practice

• Opportunity to have your work published

• Opportunity to impact student achievement in your classroom or building

Reveal the POSSIBILITIES

of learning

Timeline of Events: Informational Meeting (optional) -- May 15, 2008 Applications Due -- May 23, 2008 Participants Selected & Notified -- June 2, 2008 Coaching session (Required for first time applicants) -- June 12, 2008: 4:00—5:30p.m. Action Research Proposal Due -- June 27, 2008 Action Research Proposals Approved & Notified -- July 1, 2008 Coaching Sessions (Required) 4:00—5:30 p.m. -- August 28 & October 23, 2008 and January 22 & April 16, 2009 1st Interim Report Due -- October 31, 2008 2nd Interim Report Due -- January 30, 2009

Funding is limited and interested participants must complete an application and return it by May23, 2008 if they wish to conduct an action research project during the 2008-09 school year. An informational session about this project will be held on May 15, 4:00—5:30 p.m.

The selection of successful applicants will be based on written responses to the application questions. Partici-pants will be selected proportionally from local districts, public school academies, and building levels (elementary, middle, and high school). Grants of $1,000 each will be made available to selected applicants.

Once the application is accepted, the individual or team must complete an Action Research Proposal and return it by June 23, 2008. An Action Research Proposal Coaching Session will be held for accepted applicants on June 10, 2008, 4:00—5:30 p.m.

After the proposal is approved by OAISD, the action researcher(s) will receive the first portion of the stipend. Action researchers will be required to submit two interim reports during the course of the 2008-09 school year, attend four additional after-school coaching sessions, and must present a final publishable report (graduate level paper of 10-14 pages) by May 15, 2009 to Dr. Dan Jonker at the OAISD Instructional Services Department. Satisfactory completion of the required report will result in a final payment of the remainder of the stipend.

ISD Consultants will be available throughout the year to assist action researchers in answering questions regarding the process or providing resource ideas for content-specific issues.

All documents required for this classroom action research project are available on the Instructional Services De-partment page of the OAISD web site at www.oaisd.org. Documents include:

• Application Form

• Proposal Form

• Interim Report form

• Final Report Criteria Page

For further information, please feel free to contact Dr. Dan Jonker (616-738-8940, Ext. 4101) or email djonker@oaisd.org.

APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN CLASSROOM ACTION RESEARCH Deadline: Application must be postmarked or faxed by Friday, May 23, 2008

Name:____________________________________________________________________________

Job Assignment:___________________________________________________________________

Building:______________________________ District/PSA:________________________________

Work Phone:______________________ Ext.____________

Work Email Address:_______________________________________________________________

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Approval: YES NO

Action Research Number:

PROFESSIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION—If you have more than one person contributing to your Action Research Project, please attach contact information for each additional member of your team on a separate sheet.

ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT DESCRIPTION

TOPIC OR QUESTION TO BE STUDIED: SCOPE OF PROJECT: (# of Students Involved)

Proposed Action Research Projects for ‘08-’09 must be in the following five topics areas:

Content Literacy

Early Intervention Secondary Redesign

Visible Thinking Universal Design for Learning