EDN 564

EDN 564

Policy Formation as a Systemic Process

Dr. Howard V. Coleman

Office – 339 WSE

Phone: 962-7287

Email to schedule appointments

Rationale for this course: The MSA conceptual framework has identified variables and relationships that describe schools as social systems. One objective of the MSA program is to ensure that our students understand the development and implementation of educational policies at the federal, state, and local levels. This course provides opportunities for educational leaders to begin to understand the importance of educational policies in public schools. The conceptual framework of policy formation as a systemic and evolving process will be utilized to assist students in creating policies, analyzing existing policies, and assessing the impact of policies on students, teachers, and the larger community.

Course Objectives: This course will enable students to:

· write policies and evaluate policies

· understand the role of policy formation in the operation of public schools

· understand the relationship between politics and policy

· understand policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels

· understand the relationship between policy and law

· analyze the factors that determine policy effectiveness

· analyze the factors that determine policy implementation

· act with integrity and fairness in dealings with students, faculty, staff, and the larger learning community.

Course Structure: This course will require various forms of student participation, including: attending class, participating in class discussions, reading assigned materials, performing case analyses, and working individually and in groups. The class will utilize lecture, cooperative groupings and guest speakers. This course will require you to use technology skills to locate assigned readings on the World Wide Web.

Assignments

Policy discussion papers (2 papers, 15 points each, for a total of 30 points) There will be two (2) policy papers submitted via email to the instructor. Each paper will be 4-5 pages. In the first paper, you will discuss search and seizure policy issues in public schools (due February 5th). For the second paper, you will discuss important policy issues related to school attendance and school dress codes (due April 15th).

Mid-Term Exam (35 points). This will be a 5-7 page paper demonstrating an in depth understanding of personnel and financial polices for school administrators. The Mid-term Exam is due on March 11th.

Final Exam (35 points) The Final Exam will be distributed on April 22nd. The Final Exam will be a case study of an educational policy problem. This will be a 5-7 page paper demonstrating your in-depth understanding of the policy problem and potential solutions for the solving the problem. The final exam will be handed in on or before December 6th.

Total points available 100

A 91 - 100

B 81 - 90

C 71 - 80

F Below 71

Course Topics and Assignments

January 15th Introductions, Course Overview – Policy Defined

January 22nd Federal Law, Freedom of Speech, & School Policy

January 29th Search and Seizure

February 5th State Organization and Control of Schools

Search and Seizure Paper Due

February 12th Personnel Administration