Hope as Strategy: Cycle 0-1

Initial Findings of an Action Research Systems Review in Support of Students Labeled High Need

Action research is a reflective and cyclical process (Ivankova, 2015; Mertler; 2014; Mills, 2011; Kermmis, 2008). In this session I will review my initial findings from reconnaissance, cycle 0, and cycle 1 of my concurrent multi-strand mixed methods action research design as investigated and reported in ASU STUDY00003952. This participatory action research study investigated the topic of student preparedness for post-secondary environments. Conforming to this topic, the theoretical framework, and the problems of practice investigated, I had the the following research questions:

1. What are the perceptions of post-secondary student preparedness?

2. What district systems may complicate the elements of Hope Theory (Snyder, 2002)?

Document analysis, observations, interviews, and a quantitative systems review were conducted. The qualitative part of this study utilized a constructionist grounded theory approach to develop three assertions. The quantitative part of this study was utilized with the implementation of an an innovation. The innovation introduced in cycle 1 was a participatory action research team to conduct a district level systems review to clarify pathways to graduate. Findings included that and that over 1,000 courses should be eliminated from the district course of study, course work should be modified to meet post-secondary requirements, and the course of study should be redeveloped. The study suggests that future innovations may need to focus on how adults form expectations for students labeled high-need.