I Do CARE!

Picture By USAID Afghanistan

In Action Research there are many models and methods to evaluate the forward movement of the project.  The CARE Model is one way to evaluate what needs to be improved but also keeps in sight those things that are currently being done well. CARE stands for Concerns, Affirmations, Recommendations, and Evaluations. Concerns are what a person would like to improve. Affirmations are what should not change at the school, it is what is being done well. Recommendations are the how the Concerns are going to be addressed. Evaluations are how all of the progress is going to be measured. The CARE model will be of great use in my Action Research plan. This plan appeals to me personally because of the Affirmations. It is important to keep in mind that we are doing many things right. We should not lose sight of that when starting to make improvements.


Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, Julie Combs

Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool

Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)
(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Students need to know how to use the technology used in College and the Workforce.
2. Teachers need to know how to help students learn how to use the technology.
3. Teachers need help in becoming comfortable with technology and how to use it in their lessons.

Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)
(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)

1. Most teachers are concerned about what is best for the students.
2. Staff members are very supportive of each other.
3. There is an environment of looking for the good in students.

SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)
(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)

1. Mini-lessons (30 to 60 min) will be offered after school once a week on how to implement technology and web 2.0 tools into teacher's lessons.
2. Mini-lessons will be limited to one tool at a time.
3. The covered tool will be expected to be used in a class lesson within the following two weeks.

EVALUATE – Specifically and Often
(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)

1. Surveys on the mini-lessons will be available after each mini-lesson.
2. Pre and Post ISTE-T test will help determine if teachers know more about how to utilize technology in their classrooms by the end of the year.



Thank you for taking the time to read this post.  It would be of great benefit to my project if you took just a moment more and made a comment.  Thank you!