Teachers and School Heads Engagement in Action Research: Needs and Administrative Support

As provided for in the Department of Education Order No. 43. s. 2015, teachers are encouraged to engage in research to improve the delivery of basic education. Moreover, DepEd has instituted research to promote an environment of evidence-based decision-making and establish a culture of research. Hence, this study was made. The study aimed to look into the teachers’ and school heads’ engagement in action research specifically identifying the needs and administrative support of elementary schools. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions: How many teachers and school heads are engaged in action research?; What are the factors that influence teachers and school heads to engage in action research?; What are the teachers' and school heads challenge’s and needs in conducting action research?; What administrative support was needed by the teachers and school heads in the conduct of action research? And What research enhancement plan can be proposed based on the findings of the study?  Based on the findings of the study, it concludes that teachers and school heads identified action research as beneficial to their academic undertaking since the majority of them were engaged in action research. However, they also emphasized that conducting action research was not an easy task and there were challenges along the way that somehow affected their desire to finish their research work. The findings implied that policy-makers and school administrators may consider and address the research needs of these educators to inspire more school personnel to be actively involved. Hence, when a community of teacher-researchers is formed, school concerns like instruction, facilities, and student performance and behavior are directly and instantaneously addressed.