The six activities presented here as a cycle are an attempt to capture an ongoing, nonlinear process that involves the interaction of reflection and action. Equally important, the inquiry process is not over after completing one cycle. It is always starting again. As an integral part of their practice, schools with effective accountability systems examine their practices, explicitly, publicly, and collectively. Each school is guided by an ethic of continuous improvement so that it is proactive, willing to make changes based on the data.
Continuous improvement becomes the school culture.
The people who work inside such schools are committed to learning, their own as well as that of students. They are experienced at seeking out and using information to improve performance. These schools use the actual to inform and reflect on practice and to adjust their actions. Six Activities Establish desired outcomes. This is one common entry point into the Inquiry Cycle.