Course Syllabus
EACS 5543 School Level Instructional Leadership-1.docx
Contact Information
Course Details
This course will focus on school level leadership in the area of instructional leadership. In the area of instruction, the role of the principal is to be an instructional leader who is able to develop the instructional capacity of teachers by developing human capital, enhancing the quality of teaching and developing instructional cultures/climate that support the improvement of teaching and learning. This course will engage students to explore and understand the role of the school instructional leader is to collaborate with teachers and students by setting specific and attainable goals that ensure assessment, supervision, and monitoring of those goals specific to teaching and learning.
This means the instructional leader, on a regular basis MUST INTENTIONALLY supervise and assess the learning environment to get a sense of where the school is, of what goals to set, and to assess what is needed to improve teaching and learning.
In essence, the instructional leadership component of the course will aim to support and provide evidence the instructional leader's number one priority is to support and work with teachers for instructional improvement that supports and provides greater depths of student achievement.
Course Prerequisites
Graduate Standing
Course Materials
Whitaker, Todd. (2012). What great principals do differently:18 things that matter most. Steele, Danny and Whitaker, Todd. (2019). Essential truths for principals
Other readings will be posted within weekly modules.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment #1 | Each student is to select five different teachers (you can be one of the five) to complete the Jones Instructional Behavior Questionnaire (JIBQ). Have them select a principal from their past and ask them to complete the questionnaire about that principal’s supervisory practices as they related specifically to them. As a group, present your findings to the class in an oral presentation. At no time will the teacher's or principal's names be used. Disaggregate data relative to each of the behaviors on a spreadsheet and your presentation should be 15 to 20 minutes in length. | 100 |
| Assignment #2 |
Each person in your group is to distribute the (Henry/Jones) Assessment of Professional Development Questionnaire to 5 teachers (you can be one of the five) via email to those who have attended the same professional development session that was provided by your school district. Ask them to use the rubric to assess the professional development session. |
100 |
| Assignment #3 |
Read Todd Whitaker’s What great principals do differently 18 things that matter most. This book is a New York Times bestseller. As you read his book it is hoped that you will find there are certain areas in which you need to grow as a leader. Write an 8-10-page review of this book and specifically address what you have learned about leadership that will enable you to become an outstanding school leader. |
100 |
| Total | 300 |
Course Policies
Communication
Best way to communicate with professors is through canvas/email. Instructor will work to respond as quickly as possible.
Late Policy
All work must be turned in on time. Any late work will receive half credit. Work more than a week late will receive no credit. If problems arise, please let the instructor know.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|