Instructional Leadership Emphasis

This course focuses on assessment in the instructional process. It includes experiences in creating, selecting and implementing valid and reliable classroom-based assessments. Skills will be developed to assist in the understanding of relationships among assessment, instruction, and monitoring student progress. Teacher candidates will gain the ability to analyze assessment data to make decisions that improve instruction and student performance. In addition, Teacher candidates will become familiar with writing student achievement goals as they relate to teacher evaluation.

Focuses on research-based, scientifically-validated strategies for teaching students in the schools. The course assists with the conceptualization, measurement, and improvement of classroom performance and management for grades K-12 and features a variety of organizational patterns and practices, approaches to instruction and their impact on students’ learning, and instruments for evaluating teacher behavior in specific contexts

This course will provide the opportunities for future teachers to expand their ability to inquire, explore, engage, conclude and persuade in the foundations and curriculum of American education. The course explores historical, philosophical, sociological, and legal foundations and curriculum of public education. This course is designed to assist teachers in the decision-making processes necessary to implement a standards-based curriculum and both a formative and summative assessment process of curricular initiatives. There is also a focus on contemporary curricular issues and innovations as well as school culture.

Explores the responsibility of the school as a social institution for students, parents, taxpayers, and employees; examines the legal framework of constitutional, case and statute law, and ethical issues pertaining to schools and identifies the implications for educational practice.

Examines research methodology, tools, and resources for the educational leader. Particular emphasis is placed on action research focusing on effective schools and student achievement. Emphasis is given to the appropriate use of research tools and educational technology in the analysis of data including data-driven decision-making and implementing school and/or division-based research projects or school improvement plans. Both formative and summative evaluation strategies are emphasized.

Focuses on the nature and function of supervision as a means to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness and examines the roles of the supervisor, the building administrator, and the teacher in establishing effective instruction in each classroom.

Emphasizes the study of leadership theories as they relate to PK-12 education, higher education, athletics, and any professional environment. Students review current literature on leadership, analyze their own leadership style, and work to expand their capacity to lead through knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Communication skills, team building, and conflict management is emphasized. Additional focus is placed on developing leaders in a professional environment.

RDNG 625 Survey of Effective Reading Methods (3)
Focuses on the foundations of reading and reading development. Topics include children’s basic language development as a precursor to reading and as a medium for instruction, methods for assessing and instructing the emergent reader, the beginning reader, and the instructional reader, as well as reading disability.

RDNG 672 Reading and Study Skills in the Content Area (3)
Methods, materials, and organizational patterns for reading and writing as a means to access text in content area texts and coursework. Reading strategies and study skills are improved to maximize learning for all students through effective use of course materials.