Impact Study of Project EMPOWER: An Evaluation of a Classroom-Based Action Research Extension Program

Classroom-based action research (CBAR) is a research-driven process that helps teachers to investigate classroom problems and explore ways to improve instruction to meet the needs of students. Acknowledging the potential of CBAR to improve learning, DepEd has made CBAR a part of its thrust to enhance educational practice in basic education. As part of this effort, the College of Education, Bataan Peninsula State University – Balanga Campus conducted Project EMPOWER 1 and 2 (Empowering Educators through Classroom-Based Action Research) in collaboration with the secondary schools of the Schools Division Office of Balanga City, Bataan. In this study, the teacher-beneficiaries assessed the project's impact on their professional development and action research skills in the classroom. Data collection was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, with quantitative data obtained through a descriptive survey and qualitative data obtained through focus group discussions to provide insight into participants' experiences. From the 30 teacher-beneficiaries in the study, the survey suggested that the project was supportive in improving their research knowledge and skills, confidence, interaction, ethics, and competencies in the various stages of classroombased action research. The qualitative results also suggest that the program enabled teachers to view action research as a practical approach to solving classroom problems, and the ongoing mentoring and collaborative support opportunities encouraged teachers to be more involved in classroom innovation, research, and the dissemination of their work. Participants also shared positive changes in their teaching practices, engagement with students, and their motivation to present and publish their research. The results suggest that a research capacitybuilding program is appreciated not just for the knowledge it imparts, but also for the ongoing mentoring, collaborative work, and professional assistance that goes with the research process. Further strengthening of these outcomes in future implementation of Project EMPOWER can be achieved by reinforcing post-training mentoring, offering technical assistance for research completion and publication, and promoting further opportunities for the dissemination of research through Learning Action Cell (LAC) sessions, INSET, conferences, and scholarly publications.