Progress on the Action Research Front

In my action research project, I am investigating the effectiveness of instruction delivered through project-based learning (PBL) practices.  I will closely investigate the effect of this instruction on the student achievement of third and fourth graders compared to a sample group of third and fourth graders not receiving this method of instruction.  In the beginning of August, I spent 3 days (18 hours) in PBL training presented by the Buck Institute for Education.  Then, on August 17, I spent an hour with my principal reviewing and refining the proposed action research plan.  The search for research on PBL (3 hours) is not complete but I have made an excellent dent in reviewing and selecting research articles and dissertations relating to the subject. Another hour of time was spent collecting permission from all affected parties to complete the research.  All were on board and accepted the inclusion willingly as they too would like to see the effects of PBL.  My principal and I are currently in the midst of selecting the non-PBL group with which we will compare benchmark and state testing results to the PBL groups.  We are looking for the best way to keep all non-PBL student names from 3^rd and 4^th grade completely anonymous to me as I do not want the achievement knowledge of other teacher’s students to affect our working relationship.  I also want to be completely blind to who this group includes so that there is a true measure of the difference or similarity in student achievement.  Once the group is chosen and final, I will maintain observation throughout the school year of their benchmark and state testing results and compare them to the results of my PBL class and the 4^th grade PBL class.