Purpose of the Ongoing Report
Critical pedagogist Paulo Freire developed the initial cycle of service, which included planning, action, reflection (which led to more planning). To paraphrase Freire, action without reflection leads to a fleeting, mindless activism while theorizing without action leads to a stuffy intellectualism. In IMPACT, we want to be acting and assessing constantly. We need to have an ongoing dialogue between the teachers, the students and the community (in particular, the parents).
INSERT VISUAL – action reflection cycle
This ongoing report exists as an organized, structured way to keep us accountable in the process. In this report, we will set our initial plan, create our goals and define our roles through conversations with teachers and the Student Leadership Team. Next, we will develop a specific plan. As we put the plan into effect, we will record all relevant data. In the reflection category, we will add formative feedback (based upon critical thinking questions) and when it is over, we will add summative feedback.
Although this process looks sequential and scientific, the truth is that we are dealing with humans. The process is actually much more organic, spontaneous and authentic. These structures are merely an accountability measure and an organizational structure so that the relational side can happen. Thus, the student leadership team is as much about students and teachers hanging out and being in community as it is about strategic planning. Ultimately, it will be the relational side of the program that defines whether it is a success or a failure.
We chose an ongoing format for the report, because the process is ever-changing. We need something more flexible than a rigid initial plan. As we plan, act and reflect, the report will grow and change as a result. All raw data is added to the appendix (as well as any helpful forms we have used). We do this so that we can remain as transparent as possible. If anyone wants to see how IMPACT works, this ongoing report should suffice.
The report will be available in electronic and print form. The print form will be updated on a quarterly basis, while the electronic form will be updated more frequently. We prefer the use of the electronic form, because it is more dynamic, due to the hyperlinking.
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