Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 701: Educational Leadership, Decision Making and Ethics – Spring B 2017
Credits - 3
Description
This course provides the overarching context for the educational leadership focus area. Educators consider theories and practices relating to effective and ethical leadership in educational settings. Topics include diagnosing the work environment, decision-making, problem solving, strategic planning and human resource development. Students will reflect on their own leadership, observe and analyze other leaders, and explore how the theories and practices that relate to the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (formerly ISLLC).
* Course NOTE: The Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards were updated in November 2015. The new standards, now called Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), outline what states need to consider as they implement changes instituted by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Because implementation of these standards is still underway across the nation, this course refers to both ISLLC and PSEL standards and resources.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Examine and identify leadership styles (including determining his or her own style); PSEL 1, 7
- Observe, interview, and analyze the leadership style of at least one educational leader; PSEL 1, 2
- Assess leadership skills (in themselves and others), using the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders as the standard of measurement; PSEL 1-10
- Define one’s self in light of personal values, beliefs, ethics, and leadership styles, and reflect on a course of personal action PSEL 1, 2, 3
- Acquire knowledge of ethical decision making strategies and apply them to educational situations through collaborative decision making processes PSEL 2, 3
- Examine the role of values, beliefs, and ethics in the integrity of leading others, applying them to situations faced by superintendents, principals, and educational leaders PSEL 2, 3
Assignments
Leadership Self-Assessment Paper:
In 2 to 3 pages double-spaced, write about your strengths as a leader and how you nurture your strengths. How do others view those traits? Describe the consequences of your using those strengths in addition to those instances where you did not.
Case Study:
Prepare your response to the following scenario: You have just been promoted to an assistant principal at your school after teaching there for 6 years. You are assigned the task of improving student behavior in terms of attendance, punctuality, disciplinary actions and school violence. You are expected to work with students, teachers, staff, and parents to improve the overall school culture. How will you do this?
Implications for our work:
How might this particular text influence your work? Write a 1-2 page reflection answering the questions. Please provide evidence both from the readings and the video.
Ethical Dilemma Case Study:
Write a case study of not more than 1200 words about an incident, event or situation that you were involved in or know of in which a school leader faced an ethical dilemma. The Kidder book contains many examples of case studies, though not always labeled as such. On pages 13 – 16, the author tells two stories about people faced with tough decisions. Some of these case studies can be used.
Follow the Leader:
The purpose of this assignment is for you to take a detailed look at a leader’s style, skills, and approaches to a variety of situations. As a result, you will consider their strengths, skills, and offer suggestions as to how situations might have been handled differently.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Leadership Self-Assessment | 5 |
| 2 Case Studies (10 points each) | 20 |
| Implications for Our Work: Reflection | 20 |
| Follow the Leader | 20 |
| 7 Threaded Discussions (5 points each) | 35 |
| TOTAL | 100 POINTS |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
|
Week |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Dates |
|
1 3/1-3/5 |
A Framework for School Leadership |
Required Reading Practicing the Art of Leadership:
Finding Your Leadership Style. Part I, pp. 1-82. In The Jossey Bass Reader on Educational Leadership:
Class Discussion* No Written Assignments |
Due: Sunday, March 5 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on FRIDAY. |
|
2 3/6-3/12 |
Leadership Styles and Ethical Moral Courage |
Required Reading: Finding Your Leadership Style:
In the Jossey-Bass Reader:
Class Discussion* Written Assignment: Leadership Self-Assessment |
Due: Sunday, March 12 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. |
|
3 3/13-3/19 |
Decision-making Process |
Required Reading: “Practicing the Art of Leadership,” Chapters 7 & 8, pp. 198-264
In Jossey-Bass Reader on Educational Leadership:
Small Group Discussion* Written Assignments: First Case Study Response |
Due: Sunday, March 19 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. |
|
4 3/20-3/26 |
Ethical Dilemmas |
Required Reading: Read Kidder Chapters 5 to 8. Pay particular attention to the four paradigms of ethical dilemma in Chapters 5 and 6, the three resolution principles in Chapter 7, and the 9 checkpoints for ethical decisions in chapter 8. Read the three short case studies in Chapter 2. Identify the ethical dilemma involved in each case study while you read. Small Group Discussion* Written Assignments: Implications for our work: How might this particular text influence your work? Write a 1-2 page reflection answering the questions. Please provide evidence both from the readings and the video. |
Due: Sunday, March 26 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. |
|
5 3/27-4/2 |
Practical Application of Ethics |
Required Reading: There are no readings this week. Small Group Discussion* Written Assignments: Case Study |
Due: Sunday, April 2 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. |
|
6 4/3-4/9 |
Developing a Collaborative School Culture/Communication as Leadership Enhancement |
Required Reading: In Jossey-Bass Reader on Educational Leadership:
No Discussion Written Assignments: Work on your Follow the Leader Paper (Due Next Week) |
Due: Sunday, April 9 at 11:59 PM ET |
|
7 4/10-4/16 |
Reflection and Synthesis |
Required Reading:
Small Group Discussion* Written Assignments: Follow the Leader Paper |
Due: Sunday, April 16 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. |
|
8 4/17-4/23 |
Leadership Standards |
Class Discussion* No Written Assignments |
Due: FRIDAY, April 21 at 11:59 PM ET *Post your initial response to the discussion board no later than 11:59 PM ET on WEDNESDAY. |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- Education Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/education/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AI Use
The Graduate Programs in Education holds the position that Grammarly and other AI writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate-level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools when not explicitly permitted may result in an academic integrity infraction.
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office. 16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office. The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook. Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course. The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following: Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.Attendance Policy
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
UNE Course Withdrawal
Academic Integrity