Assignment:
PART 1: Short Essay Directions: The first part requires you to write 4 short-answer essays of at least 300 words in response to four content-knowledge items. Each response is to integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways, include references in APA format.
Short Essay Item 1: "Having been hired as the first principal of a new charter school, propose to the board a process for developing a shared vision of learning for the school. Include methods for involving stakeholders and apply theories relevant to building, implementing and stewarding the vision. Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways."
Short Essay Item 2: "As an educational leader, you are responsible for the teaching and learning aspect of education. Describe the learning environment for which you will strive. Include how you will apply theories of human development behavior, personalized learning environment, and motivation to influence school culture and to ensure student success. Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways."
Short Essay Item 3: "As a school administrator, how will you develop a plan of action to address needs of students, parents, and caregivers? Include approaches for collaboration with stakeholders and strategies for effective oral and written communication with families and caregivers. Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways."
Short Essay Item 4: "Ethical behavior is characterized by honesty, fairness, and equity in interpersonal, professional, and academic relationships. Explain how ethical behavior influences school culture, student achievement, and your own leadership. Support your statements with examples. Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways."
PART 2: Case Study Directions: 2 problem-based case studies comprise this portion, respond to each case with at least a 600-word essay. Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways. The following set of questions serve as a framework for your responses, but you are also to ensure that you specifically address the questions at the end of each case study, include references in APA format.
1. What specific problem is presented in the case?
2. How does what you learned in the courses in school administration and/or assigned texts apply to the problem?
3. What should be done to solve the problem?
4. Why did you select the particular solution that you did?
5. How will you know if the solution is successful?
Extended Response: Case 1 - "Crisis Management"
"You are the recently-hired principal of a suburban school consisting of approximately 1,000 students. At a Parent-Teacher Association meeting, some parents express concern about an increase in criminal activity in the neighborhood surrounding the school. Although there has not been an increase in discipline problems on campus during the school day, there have been some incidents of minor vandalism after school hours. As the principal of the school, you have also had concerns about crime in the area.
Although you were not prepared to make a formal presentation to the parents, you have already made some small changes to improve security around campus by amending school-based discipline management policies and plans. Shortly after the meeting, the superintendent tells you that one of your first projects is to develop a comprehensive school crisis management plan. She informs you that the current plan was developed piecemeal, is outdated, and needs to be totally revamped.
"Describe strategies you would implement to support a safe and secure learning environment, including prevention, crisis management, and public relations. Considering the case scenario, what implications are there for a school-based discipline management policies and plans? Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways."
Extended Response: Case 2 - "A Changing Community"
"Over the course of the past 10 years, Lincoln High School and its surrounding community has changed dramatically. The area has also fallen on hard times economically as many of the industries have shipped jobs overseas. With the downturn in the economy and subsequent layoffs and falling property taxes, the urban-fringe community of Lincoln Heights has resisted raising local taxes or passing bond measures to raise funds to make much-needed repairs to the high school.
This has hastened the change as many upper-middle class families have fled the community for the suburbs. Many of these were Caucasian families and the school racial demographics have changed from 55% Caucasian, 23% Latino, 16% African American, and 6% Asian to 36%, 29%, 25%, and 10%, respectively. Along with problems of an aging physical plant, Lincoln has failed to close the gaps between the academic success rates for those who are identified as economically disadvantaged or minority and their more affluent white classmates.
To top it off, there has been a revolving door in the principal's office, with three new administrators coming and going in the span of just 4 years. Each administrator publicly expressed frustration with the district office and school board. An exasperated superintendent and school board realize the school is headed in the wrong direction and that a fundamental change in leadership philosophy and vision need to be made, but they cannot agree on how to move forward.
"If you were to apply for the principalship at this school, how would you convince the superintendent and school board that you have the knowledge base (1) to create an environment where distributed leadership is sustained; (2) to mobilize diverse community cultural resources; and (3) to safeguard the values of democracy, equity, and diversity? Integrate course content from the present and/or previous courses in educational leadership, applying theory to practice in meaningful, practical ways."