In this workshop, we will share how ACS Amman used action research as an engine for school improvement. Learn about how we have interwoven data-informed decision-making, global citizenship education, intercultural competence, service learning, and Design Thinking in a four-year push to improve our students' global advocacy skills.
In 2020, we decided to take on the Middle States Association’s action research protocol, Sustaining Excellence. We chose one of the elements of our student profile as the focus of our work: global advocacy. Over the next four years, we collected baseline data about the global knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors of our students and staff members and then embarked on a series of action research cycles which led down paths like intercultural competence, service learning, and Design Thinking.
During the workshop, in addition to hearing more about our school’s journey, you will walk away with practical ideas for how to use action research (on a small or large scale) as a framework for data-informed decision-making and school improvement. We will share some tips for easily embedding data-collection strategies like pre- and post- surveys, empathy interviews, and qualitative audits into a school setting. We will also discuss how widespread data collection can build consensus and buy-in.
