FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

In addition to audio or videotapes, which source should teachers use to conduct action research?

1. Student observations

2. Classroom attendance records

3. Students' scores on assessments

4. Feedback from parents

The correct answer is: Students' scores on assessments

Conducting action research in an educational setting is a systematic inquiry that aims to improve teaching practices and enhance student learning. Utilizing students' scores on assessments provides educators with quantitative data that can be analyzed to identify trends, measure student progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of different teaching strategies. By examining assessment scores, teachers can pinpoint areas where students may be struggling or excelling, allowing for targeted interventions or instructional adjustments. This method provides a concrete basis for comparison over time, helping educators to assess the impact of instructional changes based on empirical evidence. Using other methods, such as student observations, attendance records, or feedback from parents, can supplement the action research by adding qualitative insights. However, assessment scores offer a standardized measure that can more directly reflect the learning outcomes resulting from the teaching practices being investigated. This makes it a valuable resource in action research aimed at fostering student achievement.