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Course Descriptions

GED 7501 Educational Leadership
This course examines the current theories of educational leadership and related effective practices. Change Theory and the organizational and institutional factors affecting change, is addressed. The nature and dynamics of building level organizations and the importance of ethnicity and cultural diversity in the school community is examined. Attention is given to models of problem solving, conflict resolution, strategies for collaboration, and effective communication skills including public speaking. This course is designed to examine the leadership knowledge base and research and stimulate leadership skill development.

GED 7502 Management of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
This course examines the current theories, models, and research in effective instructional practices that promote learning for students, including students with disabilities. Knowledge of national and state content standards and best practices as it informs curriculum mapping and classroom implementation will be emphasized. Issues related to effective classroom management, student motivation, and discipline will be highlighted.

GED 7503 The Principalship
This course examines the role of the school principal in terms of school organization, community relationships, and human resources management to promote a positive building culture and climate. Topics include the development of effective partnerships with staff, parents, students, social agencies, and institutions of higher education; analysis of needs assessment, developing job descriptions, recruitment and retention of staff, and scheduling formats. Importance of data based decision making, personal reflection, and professional growth will be highlighted.

GED 7504 Assessment and Program Evaluation
This course examines current practices, trends, and issues in student assessment and program evaluation in schools. Topics will include use and relative efficacy of qualitative and quantitative measures, standardized testing, criterion referenced tests, and curriculum based measures. The interrelationship of curriculum, content standards, developmental levels and performance based assessment will be highlighted. Objective, reliable, and valid assessment of student performance and meaningful educational results that facilitate data based decision making in schools will be addressed. Current models and best practices in program evaluation are examined. Technology applications will be infused across the course’s content.

GED 7505 Research Methods and Data Analysis
This course focuses on the basic concepts, principles, and methods used in quantitative and qualitative educational research from idea formulation through data analysis and interpretation. Methods of descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency, variability and correlation will be covered. Topics include variables, sampling, instrumentation, data collection, and parametric and non-parametric tests used in inferential statistics. SPSS data analysis program will be introduced. Design and implementation of action research projects for instructional improvement will be an outcome of the course.

GED 7506 Supervision of Instruction
This course examines the entire supervisory process. Principles and models of teacher supervision that use student data to inform instruction will be highlighted. Topics include observation techniques, reflective practices, professional inquiry, formative and summative evaluation procedures, and peer coaching. Importance of using these techniques to inform design of comprehensive professional growth plans for faculty and in-service education to advance student learning will be emphasized.

GED 7507 Management of Resources and Finance
This course focuses on a review of the principles and issues involved in managing fiscal and material resources in order to promote an effective learning environment. Topics include overview of revenue sources (federal, state and local), strategic long term fiscal planning and budgeting. Responsibilities of the school administrator including, inventory and purchasing procedures, facility management, allocation of resources, and transportation and food services governance will be addressed.

GED 7508 School Law
This course involves an analysis of the laws governing education on federal, state, and local levels including laws pertaining to education of students with disabilities. The rights of students and school personnel will be highlighted. Topics examined will include hiring and tenure issues, the impact of school budgets, pupil discipline, freedom of speech, church and state relations, and legal uses of computer technology. Landmark decisions and pertinent court cases will be discussed and critiqued.
 
GED 7601 and GED 7602 Internship I and II
The two-semester internship experience (200 hours each semester) provides a wide range of experiences to ensure that the candidate (a) acquires an in-depth understanding of the demands, expectations, and challenges of building level administrators; (b) develops leadership skills related to various roles of building administrators; (c) designs, implements, and evaluates an action research project that demonstrates the integration of theory and research with practice, and makes recommendations for change based on assessment data; and (d) identifies personal strengths and weaknesses in becoming a building level administrator. The candidate demonstrates meeting the competencies of the program through a presentation of the professional portfolio at the end of the internship.