Charter Research Support and Impact Summary

Community-Based Student-Led Research and Leadership Projects

Valhalla Community School continues to advance the intent of its Charter through research-
informed, community-based student learning. Recent student-led research and innovation

projects demonstrate how the school’s long-standing commitment to rural leadership, ethical
citizenship, and structured instruction is being applied in authentic, contemporary contexts.
Evidence to date indicates positive impact on student engagement, communication skills, and
community connectedness, supported by ongoing action research and a clear plan for
continued evaluation and refinement.
Valhalla Community School’s Charter articulates a clear commitment to developing engaged
thinkers, ethical citizens, and future community leaders, grounded in a rural context,
structured learning, and authentic community involvement. The school’s current work with
community-based, student-led research projects represents a natural extension of this
Charter focus and is aligned with both historical and contemporary research foundations.
Research Alignment
The Charter explicitly prioritizes:
• Rural leadership development through direct experience with community and civic
processes.
• Public speaking, research, and presentation are essential leadership competencies.
• Action research is a mechanism for evaluating and refining instructional approaches.
Student-led community research projects reflect these priorities by engaging students in
structured inquiry cycles that include:
• Community interviews and data collection
• Analysis of identified needs and themes
• Design and refinement of actionable proposals
• Public presentation and feedback through formal pitch events
This approach aligns with established research indicating that authentic inquiry, experiential
learning, and student voice strengthen engagement, critical thinking, and leadership
capacity—particularly in rural education contexts where community connectedness is a key
protective and developmental factor.
Evidence of Impact to Date
Early indicators of impact include:
• Increased student ownership and agency, as students frame learning around real
community issues
• Demonstrated growth in communication and public speaking skills, consistent with
Charter goals
• Strengthened student–community relationships, reinforcing civic responsibility and
ethical citizenship
• High levels of community engagement, with local members participating as
interviewees, mentors, and audience members

The December 9 Student Innovation Pitch Event served as a formative assessment
milestone, providing evidence of students’ ability to synthesize research, articulate solutions,
and respond to feedback—skills explicitly identified in the Charter’s leadership outcomes.
Ongoing Action Research and Evaluation
Consistent with Appendix IV of the Charter (Action Research), this work is being documented
and refined through:
• Observation of student engagement and leadership behaviours
• Analysis of student artifacts (research notes, pitches, reflections)
• Feedback from community participants and staff
• Iterative refinement of instructional design and supports
Future phases will include clearer success indicators for leadership development, community
impact, and the transfer of skills across curricular areas.
Conclusion
The integration of community-based, student-led research projects demonstrates that Valhalla
Community School continues to honour the intent of its Charter while evolving practices to
meet contemporary educational contexts. This work reinforces the school’s foundational
commitment to rural leadership, ethical citizenship, and research-informed practice, and
provides credible evidence of ongoing innovation and impact for the Charter Review process.
One-Page Appendix: Evidence of Impact and Research
Indicators
Community-Based Student-Led Research and Leadership Projects
Purpose
To document evidence demonstrating how student-led, community-based research projects
advance Valhalla Community School’s Charter goals related to leadership, communication, civic
engagement, and ethical citizenship.
Key Evidence Indicators
Student Learning and Leadership
• Students independently conduct community interviews to identify local needs and
priorities.
• Students synthesize qualitative data to identify themes and root causes.
• Students design, refine, and publicly present community-responsive proposals.
• Demonstrated growth in confidence, public speaking, collaboration, and problem-solving
Community Engagement
• Active participation of community members as interviewees, mentors, and audience
members.
• Community feedback confirms the relevance and authenticity of student work.

• Emerging partnerships to support subsequent phases of student initiatives.
Instructional Design and Assessment
• Structured inquiry cycles aligned with the Charter’s emphasis on direct instruction
leading to application
• Use of formative assessment checkpoints (draft pitches, peer feedback, coaching
conversations)
• Student artifacts collected as evidence (research notes, proposals, presentations,
reflections)
Alignment to Charter Outcomes
• Rural leadership development through lived community experience.
• Ethical citizenship through service-oriented project design.
• Entrepreneurial thinking through problem identification and solution design.
Future Research and Evaluation Plan (2025–2030)
Sustaining and Strengthening Charter Innovation
Research Focus Areas
• Development of student leadership competencies over time
• Impact of community-based inquiry on student engagement and motivation
• Transfer of communication, research, and critical thinking skills across subjects
• Strength and sustainability of school–community partnerships
Data Sources
• Student work samples and portfolios
• Observation and anecdotal records
• Student, staff, and community surveys
• Public presentation rubrics and reflection tools
Evaluation Cycle
• Annual identification of focus questions
• Collection of qualitative and quantitative evidence
• Review and reflection by staff and leadership
• Refinement of instructional design and supports
This plan builds on the Charter’s existing action research tradition, ensuring continuous
improvement while maintaining accountability to Alberta Education and Childcare.