Overview
As a global research–practice partnership, the MLRC School Network serves schools committed to improving outcomes for multilingual learners. MLRC members have opportunities to engage in dialogue and collaborative research to explore common problems of practice in teaching multilingual learners. This provides the foundation for inquiry both within schools and across schools. When educators engage in and with educational research – and apply it to their own teaching context – they can positively impact their students. In the same way, participating in a RPP also benefits researchers by developing their capacity to engage with current educators and creating more impactful, relevant research.
Mincu (2014) reports correlational evidence suggesting that where research and data are used as part of high-quality initial teacher education and ongoing professional development, they make a positive difference in terms of teacher, school, and system performance.
Action research provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and practice. To expand the impact of individual research projects across the MLRC School Network, member schools can share insights across contexts – an important opportunity often not possible within the limitations of individual teachers’ action research.
Action Research Pathways
As part of the MLRC School Network, members have two potential pathways to engage in action research. The tools provided through the MLRC School Network Hub are intended to support members in both pathways. Members can determine the pathway that best fits their individual goals, schedules and available resources.
Pathway #1 – MLRC Research Symposium and Facilitated Action Research
Part A
Many schools begin their action research journey through attending an in-person MLRC Research Symposium, a two-day workshop for international educators to engage deeply in existing research about multilingual learners, connect with global education scholars, inquire together about shared problems of practice, and discuss innovative strategies for serving multilingual learners. As part of the symposium, participants create an Action Research plan.
Part B
After the conclusion of each MLRC Research Symposium, teams met regularly with each other to engage in their action research projects. Additionally, the MLRC provides ongoing support for school-based teams through monthly webinars:
- Synchronous Zoom webinars focus on key topics to support team’s ongoing action research projects, such as addressing common barriers, data collection and data analysis.
- All webinars are recorded to allow for asynchronous engagement if teams are unable to attend the live sessions.
Capstone Reports
Engage with some of the 2023-2024 Capstone reports submitted by some of our teams!
Pathway #2 – Independent Action Research
For various reasons, members may choose to pursue independent action research. In this pathway, members apply the tools provided in the Hub to pursue their own action research process. Participants have the opportunity to connect with others through online synchronous Action Research Office Hours.
While we refer to this pathway as “independent” to reflect the difference with the facilitated research pathway, members are encouraged whenever possible to find colleagues within their school context to engage in action research together.
Action Research Process
Educators bring many previous skills and experience to the process of action research. For example, they are likely already engaged in collecting and analyzing classroom data to make instructional decisions. The process of action research allows teachers to draw on these resources, while often allowing for the opportunity to step back and engage in a larger process of inquiry.
Our goal is to support you in building on your current skills and expertise to expand your capacity to engage with existing research and conduct action research.
To begin, check out these slides which outline the first two steps of the Action Research Process: determining a research topic and narrowing down a research question. Before you download the slides, download the MLRC Action Research Process template to support you in the planning and documenting of your action research.
MLRC Action Research in the World!
Sharing Out!
Members are encouraged to consider writing articles and/or presenting at regional conferences to share findings from their action research as well as lessons learned. On an individual basis, members will be at times offered the opportunity to co-write articles and/or co-present at conferences with the MLRC team.
Featured Partners
One step on this journey is for members to write about their experience through a MLRC Featured Partner article.
The American International School of Bucharest shared about their experience engaging in action research through their Featured Partner article – read more about their story!
After completing their action research project, the International School of Beijing wrote a Featured Partner article to highlight some of their findings. Learn more about how they are using a research-informed approach to translanguaging within their dual language program!
Conference Presentations
Library Access
As a part of the MLRC School Network, we are excited to offer complimentary online access to the University of Wisconsin Libraries system. It will be active for approximately one year from submission. If you are interested in access to research articles and materials through the library, please fill out the linked form.
It will ask you for:
- Your name
- Organization: List your school or agency
- Area or program: Select other or school administrator if applicable
- Address: List a US-based address or you may use the MLRC address at
1025 West Johnson
Madison, WI 53705 - Your email address: Please use your school email address
If you have any questions or require assistance with this process, please email mlrc@wcer.wisc.edu. As this is a university-wide process, we appreciate your patience as they process your request.