EDU 580 Organization and Administration

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the school administrator and how leadership occurs in the educational environment. The course also explores leadership in terms of the changing role of the administrator, communication and human interaction, analysis and planning, and decision making. This course incorporates and reflects current research in the area of educational leadership and schools as organizational systems.

Topics and Objectives

Overview of Organization and Administration and Philosophical Foundations of Leadership

· Analyze systems theory in relation to the school setting and educational administration.

· Explain the seven philosophies of educational leadership.

Leadership versus Management

· Discuss and analyze the difference between leadership and management.

· Evaluate different leadership styles.

Organizational Values

· Discuss values as part of an organization's culture.

· Analyze recommended policies in light of organizational values.

Effective Schools

· Compare and contrast how the characteristics of effective schools are evident in students' own organizations.

· React to and summarize the use of an inquiry-based approach to school improvement.

Site-Based Governance

· Discuss how schools can make effective site-based decisions.

· Apply techniques to plan a common school vision.

Decision Making and Managing Changes

Communication

· Identify and apply effective techniques to communicate with parents.

· Develop a plan for internal organizational communication.

Facilitation Techniques

· Examine the facilitation skills and dimensions involved in systemic reform focusing on individual, team, organizational and systems change.