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40 - Leveraging Action Research to Create Innovative P-12 Systems Change in School–University Partnerships

from Part VI - Inquiry and Innovation in School–University Partnerships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2025

Janna Dresden
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
JoAnne Ferrara
Affiliation:
Manhattanville University
Jane E. Neapolitan
Affiliation:
Towson University
Diane Yendol-Hoppey
Affiliation:
University of North Florida
Jori S. Beck
Affiliation:
Old Dominion University
Morgan Z. Faison
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Sonia E. Janis
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Kathleen Provinzano
Affiliation:
Binghamton University
Logan Rutten
Affiliation:
University of North Dakota
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Summary

This chapter illuminates how the action research methodology is well-suited to tackle common problems within school–university partnerships (SUPs) and generate systems-level change. This innovation is described through the story of a collaborative action research study in a SUP induction program that resulted in systemic change to the school district and the university teacher preparation program. The purpose of the action research was to design, implement, and evaluate interventions that enhanced a school district’s induction program. Interventions included a virtual New Teacher Orientation during the COVID-19 pandemic that created school-based learning communities for 200 new teachers and a virtual professional learning community that built mentoring capacity among teacher leaders. The authors suggest that SUPs would benefit from engaging in action research that addresses systems level change and that SUPs should leverage action research to address complex common problems, such as teacher retention.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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