Issues and Trends in Educational Leadership – EDUC 840

Course Description

A study of the current issues and trends related to the field of education leadership. Emphasis will be placed on research and analysis of practices related to effectiveness.

Rationale

Educational leaders serve in a world impacted by many social, economic, and political factors; thus, leaders must maintain a clear understanding of these issues in order to implement change. This course will provide an in-depth analysis current trends and issues impacting leadership. This will enable the candidate to focus on personal growth and development of characteristics of leadership.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. For each discussion, each candidate will be assigned to argue either in support or against a pre-determined topic related to an emerging issue in education. Each candidate will create a thread consisting of a minimum of 450 words. For each thread, the candidate must support his/her assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in current APA format. In addition to the initial thread, the candidate is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads acknowledging/ answering the opposing side of the initial post. Each reply must be a minimum of 250 words, and must include 1 scholarly citation. (CLO: B, D, E, F, G)

Journal Article Critique Assignments (2)

The candidate is required to complete 2 Journal Article Critiques throughout the course. The candidate must select articles from peer reviewed journals of his/her choice. Article topics will coincide with educational trends/issues listed in the assignment instructions. Each critique must be a minimum of 700 words, and must follow current APA style. The journal article critique must include a title page and reference sheet in current APA format. (CLO: A, D, E, G)

Letter to Principal Response Assignment

The candidate will compose a formal written response to a letter received as principal from a stakeholder regarding an emerging issue or trend in education affecting the school. (CLO: B, C, G)

Case Study Assignment

The candidate will write a paper detailing his/her 3-year strategy based on a provided case study. The paper must include a title page, a visual table, and an agenda for the meeting in current APA format. The paper should be in narrative form consisting of a minimum of 1,000 words. (CLO: A, C, D, F)

Educational Leadership Paper Assignment

The candidate will write a paper of at least 2,000 words detailing his/her response to the growing needs of education in order to engage and provide learning opportunities for today’s students. The paper must include a minimum of 5 scholarly references, a title page, and a bibliography in current APA format. (CLO: A, E, F, G)

Reflection Summary Paper Assignment

Reflecting on the varied emerging issues and trends related to educational leadership (textbook readings) learned during the term, each candidate will reflect and elaborate on one (1) educational issue/trend that was most interesting. The candidate will include scriptural insight and understanding as it applies. The paper must be a minimum of 500 words, and include 2 scholarly references in current APA format. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G)

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover a combination of assigned readings, presentations, and website materials. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes and will contain 10 multiple-choice and/or true/false questions. Quizzes will have a 30 minute time limit each, and may only be attempted once. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G)