Since the beginning of my action research, there have been a good deal of developments. Our committee worked tirelessly over the summer to develop a plan that, we believed, fit our campus. Since that time, we have discovered some flaws. Some of those we have been able to fix and others have to wait until this summer. I have learned more about interpersonal relationships than I thought I would. When you teach for a long time, there are times you think you know it all. What I have learned is to step back and ponder ideas before making a judgement. I have been able to keep my ethics and beliefs in tact and still compromise. I was not sure that I would be able to handle that very well. I believe that I have made great strides in becoming more administrative in my abilities. I have also learned not to take all comments personally. When frustrations rise, we sometimes say things in ways that can be offensive.
As far as student tardiness, we have been able to positively impact campus culture. Our tardiness rate has been cut in half. Attendance is at an all time high. In fact, we were the only high school to show an increase in the spring semester. Teachers attitudes about the duty have improved. Students are working harder to get to class.
We still have issues of congestion and the time between bells is still too short. Some teachers are not doing their duty. There is no recourse for teacher insubordination at this point. Our biggest issue has to be what we do with the students who are continually tardy. We know that D-hall is not a good alternative, but at this point, it is the only one.
This summer, we will meet again to work out more of the kinks. Hopefully I will be able to report an even greater decrease in the number of tardy students. We know it takes three years to see sustained improvement. We are all committed to making this program a success.
