Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 709 – School Finance – Summer A 2018
Credits - 3
Description
The course traces the historical background and development of school finance acts, and examines the intent, concepts, and relationship inherent in these acts. Processes by which state subsidies are computed, allocated and distributed are considered. Budget and expenditure practices in relation to these acts are illustrated. Emphasis is placed on helping students develop a clear conceptual understanding of the overall methods by which state aid is provided to local school systems. Readings, research, and other assignments are designed to acquaint students with school finance practices in their respective states and local school districts.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
In this course students will explore the pursue the following objectives:
- Develop a basic understanding of the history of school finance in general in the United States (PSEL Standard 9)
- Develop an understanding of and skills in sound financial principles of developing, and managing system budgets (PSEL 9)
- Demonstrate an understanding of how selected states support local public schools (PSEL Standard 9)
- Understand the concepts of financial equity and adequacy as they relate to public schools (PSEL Standards 1, 2, 3)
- Initiate investigations of current topics impacting school funding such as charter schools, vouchers, privatization, and the economic downturn (PSEL 8)
- Explore through research and work with a local mentor the process of developing and managing a local school budget (PSEL Standards 1, 2, 3, 10).
Course Standards Note:
- The 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) are used for UNE Education Leadership courses.
Assignments
Threaded Discussion Requirements
Post a response to a question or problem presented in the weekly whole class or small group threaded discussion prompt. This post must be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday. The initial post must include at least one in-text citation and reference in APA format.
Small Group Wiki Post
Research your state’s Department of Education web site. Share the website address (URL) in the Webliography, located in the Wikis area of your Small Group, and make some observations.
State Finance Website Assignment
Write a 500 – 1000 word report that summarizes the types of financial information contained on your state Department of Education website. Search the website for information regarding school finance. Your essay must be in APA format.
Financing Schools Assignment
Based on the course readings (Odden, Picus, and Roza) and discussions, write a 1000-1200 word essay in which you identify at least one major concept in school finance (equity, for example). Explain how the authors see this issue and how you see it at work in schools and districts today.
Budget Awareness Quiz
You will review school budget documents. You will then apply your skills at finding and using information in the provided school budgets.
Interview Report
During the first few weeks of the class, each class member must schedule an interview with the Superintendent or School Finance Officer (SFO) in their school or district to conduct an interview. If a Superintendent is not available, choose an Assistant Superintendent or Business Manager, as long as the official has significant responsibilities for developing and managing the budget. Use your gathered information from the interview to write a 1500 – 1700 word APA formatted report on your findings. The information you gather from this interview is designed to help you understand budgets and printouts so that you can do well in the upcoming assignment in the course.
Culminating Project (Part 1)
School budgets are a key tool we use to move forward the educational agenda. In a 1500 word APA formatted essay, explain how you would use a budget and the budget building process to promote student learning and a positive culture in your school.
Culminating Project (Part 2)
You are to develop a budget for your school (actual or simulated) for the next school year using a spreadsheet. Once your budget is complete, compare your budget with an actual budget in use or being developed for the selected school or site. Submit via an attachment a copy of the budget you prepared along with your analysis of the differences between your version and the one actually in use or under consideration in the school system. The analysis may be written as a Word document or a PowerPoint presentation.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignments | Total 100 Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Boards (3 points each) | 18 points |
| Small Group Wiki | 3 points |
| State Website Essay | 10 points |
| Financing Schools Essay | 10 points |
| Budget Awareness Quiz | 6 points |
| Interview Report | 15 points |
| Culminating Project (Part 1) | 8 points |
| Culminating Project (Part 2) | 30 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
This is only a tentative schedule and is meant to give you a bird’s eye view. The activities and assignments may change at the discretion of the instructor.
|
Week |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Dates |
|
1 5/2-5/6 |
Beginnings |
|
Due: Sun., 5/6 at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY night |
|
2 5/7-5/13 |
An Introduction to School Finance |
|
Complete by Sun., 5/13 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
|
3 5/14-5/20 |
Legal Issues, Equity, and Adequacy |
|
Due: Sun., 5/20 at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
4 5/21-5/27 |
Politics of Educational Finance Reform |
|
Due: Sun., 5/27 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
|
5 5/28-6/3 |
Impact of Reform and Budget Study |
|
Due: Sun., 6/3 at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
6 6/4-6/10 |
Politics of Financing Schools |
|
Due: Sun., 6/10 at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
7 6/11-6/17 |
Building Budgets and Culminating Project (Part 1) |
|
Due: Sun., 6/17 at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY night |
|
8 6/18-6/24 |
Culminating Project (Part 2) |
|
Due: FRIDAY, 6/22 at 11:59 p.m. 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
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- Library Tutorial: Find an article
- 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.
Policies
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 Turnitin Student quick start guide.
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.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Attendance Policy
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.
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.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
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.
UNE Course Withdrawal
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.
Academic Integrity
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:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
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.