Benefits and Expectations for GARC Fellows and Sponsoring Schools

Program Expectations

This action research program is an introduction to action research undertaken with a single class/group of students. Fellows are required to have regular and frequent meetings with their students during the research period.

• Applicants must be currently teaching classes at an ICGS member girls’ school.
• Research will be conducted with the fellow’s own class or group of students.
• The project is not designed for co-teaching of a class, nor for observing other teachers and classes as comparatives.
• The time commitment makes it unlikely that educators in leadership positions will successfully complete the program.
• If multiple teachers from the same school submit applications, the schools will be contacted to rank order the applications. Multiple teachers from the same school will not be accepted into the program.
• Participation includes monthly online full cohort training meetings, monthly online meetings with small group and research advisor, taking part in the ICGS Conference and training workshop in June of the first year and the following year’s ICGS Conference for presentation of findings. The sponsoring school is responsible for registration, travel, accommodations, and associated expenses.
• Fellows must follow the guidelines and deadlines for action research process including assignments, research and writing deadlines and submissions. Attendance at all trainings and workshops, online and in person, is required to participate in the program.
• Outcomes include an original written research report, brochure outlining study and findings, recorded presentation of findings, and in-person presentation during annual ICGS Conference. Review the Intellectual Property & Acknowledgments page for more information as it pertains to final research reports.

• GARC Fellows receive training in and conducting action research that can be shared with other faculty in the school.
• Teachers have the time and space to reflect on how they teach and assess how girls learn best, and to share their findings with their colleagues and through presentations at other regional or national programs in home country and abroad.
• Participation in GARC demonstrates a school’s thought leadership and provides a platform for showcasing the ongoing work in developing best practices for teaching girls while creating an environment among faculty members where research is incorporated in best and reflective practice.
• All of this results in better retention for educators, who are encouraged to learn and grow, and it creates improved outcomes for students as well.

There is a one-time $595 USD participation fee due at the start of the program, and Fellows are required to attend and participate in two consecutive ICGS conferences for training and presentations. The sponsoring school is responsible for registration fees, travel expenses, accommodations, and all other associated expenses and must agree to support the educator before an application is submitted. Additionally, Fellows must purchase an action research text: Craig A. Mertler, Action Research: Improving Schools and Empowering Educators (6th Edition), and sponsoring schools must agree to release time for the educator to conduct research and write a research report during the academic year.

Email garc@girlsschools.org.

• GARC at a Glance
• Program Information
• Application and Timeline
• Benefits and Expectations for Fellows and Sponsoring Schools
• Research Topics
• Meet the Fellows
• Meet the Advisors
• GARC Webinars
• Why Action Research is Important in Girls’ Schools