IS Research Journal Concept Paper

Introduction

The need for research as a vital means to improve the education system has been long recognized in the Philippines, in general (Assessing Learning, 2003) and in De La Salle Lipa, in particular. Thus, while research has not been the primary focus of basic education teachers, the De La Salle Lipa administration through the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research has established the Integrated School Research Coordination Office to promote the research culture at the De La Salle Lipa Integrated School.

To share the outcome of the faculty members’ critical reflections, classroom-based research, and teaching innovations with the other members of the Lasallian community, there is a need to launch an Integrated School research journal.

Proposed Name: ÉCRIS

Écris is a French, imperative verb pronounced as /ekree/ . It literally means a friendly invitation to write. Écris is also an acronym which implies the essence of research in the DLSL Integrated School illustrated below:
E- excellent
C- ritical
R- eflections
and
I – nnovations
for the
S- tudents




Mechanics
Écris is an annual research journal that showcases the output of the De La Salle Lipa Integrated School Faculty’s critical reflections, classroom-based action research, and innovations geared towards helping students optimize their potential to develop intellectually, socially, morally, psychologically, and spiritually.
1. Upon identification of research agendum, topic for reflection, or teaching innovation, a faculty member shall inform the IS Research Coordinator of his/her intention to write.
2. The IS Research Coordinator shall provide the faculty member who intends to write necessary information and professional advice that could help him/her carry out his/her proposed study/reflection and document the same.
3. Upon completion of the study/reflection, the faculty member will consult the IS Research Coordinator regarding the proper documentation of his/her study or reflection.
4. The completed write-ups of the studies, reflections, and teaching innovations done by the faculty members will be submitted to the IS Research Coordinator who will in turn submit the same to the Office of Research and Publications Director for publication approval.
5. The publication of the Écris is tentatively scheduled in January.
6. The Office of Research and Publications will be responsible for the publication of the Écris.

DLSL IS Ventures Into Research

The De La Salle Lipa Integrated School made a giant leap in the realm of research via the launching of the first DLSL IS Research Forum last May 26 at the LRC2.

Dubbed as "IS Research in Retrospect", the first DLSL IS Research Forum featured three research paper presentations--one disciplinal research paper and two action research reports. Mr. Arthur Dimaculangan, the newly appointed Curriculum Coordinator of the Social Studies Department presented a disciplinal research paper on the use of the Provus Model in assessing the CARE Program of DLSL IS.

Among the presesentors of classroom-based research was Mr. Raul Paras who showed the whole Integrated School Unit the fact that for full time teachers who are also family men and women, research may be difficult but it is highly possible. In his presentation, Mr. Paras explained how he was influenced by books that he has read particularly "The Purpose Driven Life". His reflections on his readings served as the theoretical framework of his action research which he called "LEAP (Lasallian Education Assistance Program): An Action Research" . Mr. Paras stressed the fact that research emancipates teachers. Thus, according to him, a teacher does not have to be an administrator in order to do research. He further reiterated that action research is a manifestation of the Lasallian teachers' commitment to their mission of teaching the minds, touching the hearts, and transforming the lives of the students entrusted to their care.

The other presentor of an action research was Ms. Haidee Angeles, the IS Research Coordinator. She opted to present a simple yet meaningful classroom-based research entitled "Needs Analysis Survey: Implications for English 7 Syllabus Design. Her presentation highlighted how a teachers' critical reflections on research stimuli could guide them throughout the process of accomplishing the four main parts of the action reseacrh paper --introduction, method, results, and discussion sections.

What made the IS Research Forum very interesting for the faculty and staff of the Integrated School were the reactions of the audience to each paper presentation. Anxious that because it was the first time that a research forum would be launched, there would be no reactions to the presentations, it was originally planned that the forum would be a close one. Hence, reactors were pre-assigned to share their comments on the research paper assigned to each of them. However, during the forum itself, the Integrtaed School Unit manifested local excellence and global competence by constructively reacting to each paper presentation. The sharing of critiques validated the administration's belief that Lasallian teachers are reflective researchers indeed and that the teachers research capability just need to be tapped and enhanced.