Project SMILE with a HEART: Cultivating Continuous Improvement Action Researches in the Schools Division office of Department of Education Camarines Sur

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The ultimate goal of research is to contribute solutions thereby promoting quality of life. Department of Education has made strides in instituting research and its utilization in policy and program development.This action research aims to determine the impact of Project SMILE with a HEART in Research on the increase of approved action researches in the Schools Division Office (SDO) Camarines Sur. Project SMILE which stands for Share, Mentor, Initiate, Learn, and Excel were the strategies and activities conducted and HEART which stands for Hardworking, Enthusiastic, Authentic, Resourceful, and Transformational were used to represent and symbolize positive outlook and insights about research. This was funded under Basic Education Research Fund (BERF) through the PPRD Region V.

METHODS

This research used descriptive -quantitative method. Quantitative data were derived from the researcher-made questionnaire used in the study. Total enumeration of 18 Continuous Improvement (CI) Teams of Class III served as respondents.

RESULTS

This study arrived with the following findings:1.) the competency level of CI team researchers on action research process before the implementation of the innovation was Moderately Competent with a weighted mean of 2.44 only; 2.) the strengths and challenges encountered by the respondents in action research process was Moderately Difficult with a weighted mean of 3.20; and Fairly Difficult (wt.x.= 2.58) in conducting action research project. 3.) On the level of acceptance of the CI teams of the intervention implemented Project SMILE witha HEART in Research, it was disclosed that all indicators stated were extremely accepted with an average weighted mean of 4.88; Division Research Training was extremely accepted, with an average weighted mean of 4.93; Mentoring and Coaching Program was extremely accepted, with an average weighted mean of 4.93; and 4.) It was demonstrated that the intervention implemented was very effective, with 100% approval of action researches submitted. It is very evident that, there is an increase of approved researches after the implementation of the Project.

DISCUSSIONS

The result demonstrates that The Project SMILE with a HEARTH in Research implemented improved research competencies of teaching and non-teaching personnel in the Department of Education SDO Camarines Sur and it developed positive attitude towards research undertakings.