Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 706: School-Community Relations & Communications – Summer B 2017
Credits - 3
Description
An effective educational leader promotes the success of all students by communicating the learning community’s vision, policies, and successes to staff, students, parents, community, decision makers, legislators and media. This course provides 80 hours of field based work, in which aspiring leaders will develop a plan to build and maintain partnerships with multiple constituent groups within the community in a way that positively impacts the education of students.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
This course is aligned with Standard 8 of the Professional Standards for Education Leaders 2015.
Students will:
- Integrate the concepts and skills from various prior learning experiences and focus them to meet Standard 8 of the Professional Standards for Education Leaders 2015.
- Apply the knowledge and skills acquired through coursework and previous experience to authentic school leadership settings and situations.
- Plan, organize, coordinate, direct, and evaluate how schools engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
- Plan and implement solutions to educational issues related to family and community engagement.
- Communicate and work with various education stakeholders in order to promote the academic success and well-being of all students.
- Explain the importance of understanding, appreciation, and use of the community’s diverse cultural, social, and intellectual resources as a way of leading successful schools.
- Use the tools of technology, research and data, and community resources to showcase how to effectively engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
Assignments
Journal Entries: Each week you should post a 1 – 2 paragraph summary of the name and description of your field experience activity for the week as well as any reflections and insights about the week’s activities. This information should be typed into the “Internship Field Experience Journal Reflection” document.
Internship Field Experience Log: As part of the field experience, interns must document all activity. For each activity that is completed during the 8 week field experience, the intern will use the “Internship Field Experience Log” document. The log will be submitted to the UNE Mentor two times during the field experience as well as a third time as part of the cumulative e-portfolio document.
Discussion Forum: Your instructor will post discussion questions each week that will provide an opportunity to think about broader issues related to your internship experience and share your ideas/insights with the other students in your course section.
E-Portfolio: The cumulative E-Portfolio, which is submitted near the end of the course, is a product where you can share and shine! As you go through the course you have the opportunity to collect some of the artifacts and submit them for review by your UNE Mentor. Your choices of delivery are limitless but some are: PowerPoint, Prezi, Glogster, Video, etc.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | Points |
|---|---|
| Journal Entry (4 @ 5 points each) | 20 |
| Discussion Boards (6 @ 4 points each) | 24 |
| E-Portfolio | 56 |
| Total Points | 100 |
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 6/28-7/2 |
Introductions and sharing about projects |
Review syllabus and schedule Familiarize yourself with the Journal Log and Journal Reflection documents Threaded Discussion Board |
Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/2 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY night. |
|
2 7/3-7/9 |
Define leadership and discuss the importance of data |
Reading: Data Analysis and the Principal (Creighton, T.B., 2001) Student Achievement Improvement Planning Collecting and Analyzing Data (Pickett-Hoffman, IDVA, 2012) Department of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development: Use of Education Data at the Local Level From Accountability to Instructional Improvement (2010) Using Data to Improve Schools What’s Working (American Association of School Administrators, Arlington, VA. 2002) Threaded Discussion Board Journal Reflection Experience Log (hours) Work on cumulative e-portfolio |
Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/9 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night Assignments Due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/9 |
|
3 7/10-7/16 |
Reflect on field experience and contribute as a leader |
Reading: Practicing the Art of Leadership: Chapter 3, pp. 71-88 Threaded Discussion Board Journal Reflection Experience Log (hours) Work on cumulative e-portfolio |
Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/16 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night Assignments Due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/16 |
|
4 7/17-7/23 |
Gain knowledge of resources of systems, organization and individuals |
Reading: Practicing the Art of Leadership: pp. 102-124 & pp. 135 (Scenario 6)-141 Diversity in School: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (The National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems, 2006) School Administrator Standards Stress Leading for Learning (Superville, 2014) Wise Ways: All school personnel work effectively and equitably with racially, culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students. (Illinois State Board of Education 2014) Wise Ways: The school culture supports teachers in practicing effective and responsive instruction to meet individual student needs. (Illinois State Board of Education 2014) Threaded Discussion Board Journal Reflection Experience Log (hours) Work on cumulative e-portfolio |
Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/23 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night Assignments Due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/23 |
|
5 7/24-7/30 |
Articulate the achieved areas of growth in leadership skills and activities |
Reading: Practicing the Art of Leadership: Chapter 2, pages 37-70 Journal Reflection Experience Log (hours) Work on cumulative e-portfolio |
Assignments Due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 7/30 |
|
6 7/31-8/6 |
Define how to build positive relationships with various stakeholders |
Reading: Practicing the Art of Leadership: Chapter 6, pp. 175-193, 196-199 (Scenario: pg. 274 — Ch. 6 Problem Solving and Decision Making at Lovejoy High School) Collaborative Family-School Relationships for Children’s Learning: Beliefs and Practices. Virginia Department of Education, Office of Student Services, Office of Special Education, 2002. Callender, S. & Hansen, A. Family-School Partnerships: Information and Approaches for Educators National Associates of School Psychologists. (University of Minnesota 2012). Changing Standards, Changing Relationships: Building Family-School to Promote Achievement in High Schools. School of Social Service Administration. (University of Chicago, 1998). Academic Development Institute: Resource Manual for Solid Foundation. Wise Ways: Family Engagement Tool, 2008. Experience log (hours) Work towards collaboratively completing the PSEL Post-Self Assessment and Supervisor Evaluation for Week 7 e-portfolio Continue to work on completion of cumulative e-portfolio |
Discussion board closes at 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 8/6 *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night Assignments Due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 8/6 |
|
7 8/7-8/13 |
Acquire an understanding of the administrative obligations, successes and areas of future focus |
Submit e-portfolio |
E-Portfolio Due by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, 8/13 |
|
8 8/14-8/20 |
Changes in Professional Practice |
Threaded Discussion Board |
Discussion Due: FRIDAY, 8/18 at 11:59 pm. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
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