University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo

Aociology of Education concentration, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy

Website Link:

http://www.gse.buffalo.edu/
programs/elp/social_foundations/soe.asp

The purpose of this research project is to encourage the participation of a key constituency, the current students at a campus of small schools established over ten years ago, in the study of educational change. Because the closing down of their former comprehensive high school and the opening of this relatively new campus has ramifications not only for students but also their families and communities, this project is intended to draw students and members of their families into a cross-generational conversation about school change.

Through the use of participatory action research (PAR), The project is intended to achieve several goals. These include conducting research, fostering high levels of participation on the part of the students in the research process, and developing a product that may lead to further action in terms of community engagement in educational change.