Regardless of how beneficial a desired change may seem, new initiatives are often difficult to implement. This course examines change theory, studies case histories of change efforts, and reviews change strategies in order to equip students with skills for introducing effective reforms.
The objectives for this course correspond with Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) as listed below. In addition, student learning outcomes supporting the course objectives will be specified at the beginning of the week for each module.
Group and Class discussions provide participants with opportunities to make meaning of new theory, key concepts, and applications of theory to practice. Participants contribute to the intellectual development of the class by offering insights, synthesizing understandings, and responding to the postings of others. The expectation is that students make an initial post and comment on the posts of at least two classmates each week.
In Week 4 and Week 5, students will conduct interviews with students, community members, educators, and/or staff to gain perspective on the issue they are investigating for their Major Assessment; summaries of these interviews will be shared and discussed.
During Week 8, the discussions will focus on the shared presentations of the Major Assessment, as well as an overall reflection on the course.
The major assessment for this course will be an investigation of your own school or district’s data, the identification of an issue or challenge to address, and the crafting of possible action steps towards reform or transformation. This project is broken up into smaller components which will take place between Week 2 and Week 7.
Week 2: Planning your Investigation of Data: Explore an issue, challenge, or inequity at your school or district using data.
Week 3: Data Analysis & Identifying the Imperative for Change: Using a chart template provided in the Blackboard module, analyze and review the data selected in Week 2.
Week 6: From Challenge to Action Steps – Short Paper: Analyze the issue you have chosen through the lens of each of the four areas that we have explored throughout the course.
Week 7: Transformation or Engagement Plan: For this assignment, you will be communicating your findings to your choice of audience and format.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Assignment | Points |
---|---|
Week 2: Planning Your Investigation of Data | 10 |
Week 3: Data Analysis and Identifying the Imperative for Change | 11 |
Week 4: Seeking Perspective (Student or Community Member) Discussion Board Posts | 12 |
Week 5: Seeking Perspective (Educator) Discussion Board Posts | 12 |
Week 6: From Challenge to Action Steps Short Paper | 15 |
Week 7: Transformation or Engagement Plan | 15 |
Discussion Boards (5 @ 5 Points Each) | 25 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Week |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Due Dates |
1 Oct 21 – Oct 25 |
What is the Imperative for Improvement? |
Reading:
Viewing:
Class Discussion |
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM ET Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY night |
2 Oct 26 – Nov 1 |
Listening and Looking Closely |
Reading:
Viewing:
Group Discussion Assignment:
|
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM ET Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
3 Nov 2 – Nov 8 |
Building a Culture of Collaboration and Continuous Improvement |
Reading:
Group Discussion Assignment:
|
Due: Sunday 11:59 PM ET Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
4 Nov 9 – Nov 15 |
Managing Systemic Change |
Reading:
Podcast:
Viewing:
Class Discussion
|
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM ET Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
5 Nov 16 – Nov 22 |
Building the Culture of Change |
Reading:
Class Discussion
|
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM ET Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
6 Nov 23 – Nov 29 |
Managing Systemic Change through Adaptive and Technical Approaches |
Reading:
Viewing:
Optional Discussion (Ungraded) Assignment:
|
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM ET
|
7 Nov 30 – Dec 6 |
Implementers of Change |
Reading:
Viewing:
Assignment:
|
Due: Sunday, 11:59 PM ET
|
8 Dec 7 – Dec 13 |
Synthesis of Learning |
Class Discussions
|
Due: FRIDAY, 11:59 PM ET Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
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Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
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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 Turnitin Student quick start guide.
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
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.
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Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and 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.