Potential Challenges & Solutions

A few foreseen challenges that I see in the implementation of my action research is that several of my migrant parents will fail to complete the surveys, or not be willing to participate in the research at all.  We have the same issue with our GT program. Several GT students are identified every year as being GT but due to their parents non-legal status in the U.S. they refuse the GT services. I am afraid they will see this research as a threat.  I also foresee my having a bit of trouble finding teachers that would like to be a part of my Parental Involvement Focus group. It seems we have so many committees and other commitments that by the end of the day we are exhausted.

I will begin by enlisting the students to get the parents motivated to complete the surveys and take this research seriously. Since according to my current figures of the incoming migrant students to first grade is about 26 students which is an increase from our current 1^st grade migrant students totaling 15.  I will offer prizes to all students whom return the completed survey. I have learned as a parent and as a teacher that the motivational power of a constant voice can be very strong.  I will hold a migrant parent night that describes in detail what the exact goal of the research is for. I will be sure to make it very clear that this is help the children and there is no ulterior motivate.  As for finding the participation of teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to sit on the Parental Involvement Focus group I will attempt to make it as painless as possible for these participants. I will offer blog discussion groups, email communication, one to two face-to-face meetings at a possible restaurant so that we may have dinner and discuss the tasks at hand.  I will even offer a possible web conference. I will set up a survey before the initial meeting to survey what type of meeting style best fits everyone’s schedule.