Theories of Educational Leadership – EDUC 741

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

An analysis of education/organizational leadership theories and evidence based practices with application to challenges faced by academic leaders in complex and changing contexts. Emphasis given to significance and relevance for leaders forging relationships and leading academic organizations to successfully fulfill their mission.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

This course is a study of leadership styles and the resulting influence upon school personnel, community, and instructional innovation and curricular change within the system.

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 (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. The candidate will complete the corresponding readings/research and clearly discuss and reflect upon the specific prompts. The candidate will create a 200–250 word thread in response to the prompt. The thread should include at least one scholarly citation in current APA format. The candidate will then submit 100–150 word replies to the threads of at least 2 classmates. (CLO: A, C, F)

Leadership Requirements Paper Assignment

The candidate will write a two-section paper describing both formal and informal requirements to serve as a leader in an organization. The paper must be in current APA format, include a title page, include a reference page with at least 2 references, and be 400–500 words. (CLO: F)

Improvement Plan Assignments (4)

The candidate will develop a School Improvement Plan. This assignment is to be completed in 4 Parts: Vision Analysis and Revision Process, Data Analysis and Goals, Implementation Plan, and PowerPoint Presentation. There are two types of paths for this assignment: K-12 School Improvement Plan and Higher Education Improvement Plan. The K-12 Improvement Plan will focus on a K-12 school setting for this assignment. The Higher Education Improvement Plan will focus on a college/university setting for this assignment. If the candidate is seeking licensure, the candidate must complete the K-12 Improvement Plan.

Improvement Plan: Part 1 - Vision Analysis and Revision Process Assignment

The candidate will select and review a K-12 school’s current vision/purpose statement and evaluate the statement regarding its strengths/weaknesses in 200-300 words. The candidate will also describe the statement’s revision process to include who would be involved and how the statement would be revised in 100-200 words. (CLO: D, E)

Improvement Plan: Part 2 - Data Analysis and Goals Assignment

The candidate will collect multiple types of school data to analyze and interpret the data to create 3-5 SMART goals for school improvement. This data analysis section should be 300-500 words. The candidate will also explain how the goals relate to the school’s vision and express how community members are meaningfully involved in the school’s needs assessment process.  The candidate will explain how the results of the needs assessment will be communicated to all stakeholders. (CLO: D, E)

Improvement Plan: Part 3 - Implementation Plan Assignment

The candidate will take the results of the data analysis and goals to create an implementation plan for school improvement outlining the following aspects for these 3-5 goals: resource management, implementation, and monitoring of progress. The candidate will provide a budget of resources needed, describe the specific plan to implement identified goals, and explain the system for regularly monitoring, evaluating and revising the improvement plan. (CLO: D, E)

Improvement Plan: Part 4 - PowerPoint Presentation Assignment

The candidate will create a PowerPoint presentation of 15-20 slides following current APA format to summarize the key elements of the vision, needs assessment, and goals of the improvement plan.  The candidate will convey the vision articulation along with integrity, fairness, and ethics regarding how decisions were made for the improvement plan. (CLO: D, E)

Personal Leadership Philosophy Paper Assignment

The candidate will articulate a personal philosophy of educational leadership, focusing on the purpose of leadership. The candidate must focus on the long-range impact that leadership must have on stakeholders and on the community. In addition, the candidate must focus on the outcome of leadership rather than on methods and practices. This assignment must total 4–6 pages, use current APA format, and include a minimum of 4 references. (CLO: A, G)

Research Journal Critique Paper Assignment

The candidate will evaluate and critique two research articles from varying professional journals related to a similar topic. The journals can be from varying disciplines. All articles must be current (5 years or less). Each journal article must be summarized and analyzed individually for a total of 450–500 words. (CLO: A)

Biblical Worldview on Nehemiah Assignment

The candidate will read the Book of Nehemiah as assigned throughout the course and complete 6 entries for the Leadership Journal which will be submitted at the end of the course. Each entry must answer the provided prompt and include a summary and reflection indicated by headings. Each entry must be at least 300 words. At the end of the course, the candidate will submit the entries in one document with a title page and reference page using APA formatting. (CLO: B, C, G)