EDN 512



EDL 512 – Spring 2011

Legal Issues and Policy Formation as a Systemic Process

Syllabus

FULLY ONLINE COURSE

Dr. Howard V. Coleman, Associate Professor Office Hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Office: Friday Annex, #131 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Phone: 910-962-7287 Email: colemanh@uncw.edu

Dr. Marsha L. Carr, Asst. Professor Office Hours: Tuesdays 11:30-4:30

Office: 353 Education Building Wednesdays 8:30-1:30

Phone: 910-962-2913 Email: carrm@uncw.edu

You may schedule office visits by appointment at any time via email.

Conceptual Framework: This course is aligned with the Watson School of Education's conceptual framework to develop highly competent professionals to serve in educational leadership roles. Specifically, the Masters in School Administration (MSA) program 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 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 is aligned with the NC Standards for School Executives (NCSSE) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards. The course will enable students to:

• understand the role of policy formation in the operation of public schools (NCSSE Standard 1 and 2)

• understand the relationship between politics and policy (NCSSE Standard 1 and 2; ISSLIC Standard 3 and 4)

• understand policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels (NCSSE Standard 1 and 2; ISSLIC Standard 3 and 4)

• understand the relationship between policy and law(NCSSE Standard 1, 5 and 7; ISSLIC Standard 4 and 6)

• analyze the factors that determine policy effectiveness & implementation (NCSSE Standard 1 and 2; ISSLIC Standard 3 and 4)

• act with integrity and fairness in dealings with students, faculty, staff, and the larger learning community. (NCSSE Standard 3, Standard 4; ISSLC Standard 2)

Course Structure: This fully online course will require various forms of student participation, including: reading assigned materials, participating in online class discussion postings, performing case analyses, and working individually and in groups. This course will require you to use technology skills to locate assigned readings on the World Wide Web.

Topics; Federal policy, IDEA and 504, No Child Left Behind, state policy issues, state organization & control of schools, local organization and control of schools, local district policy issues, school based policy issues, online learning, search and seizure, freedom of speech, finance, budgeting and the Leandro court case.

Written Work: Written work products are expected to be complete and accurate. All work submitted needs to conform to APA style, be typed, and free of errors. All work must be completed and posted online based the due dates identified in the Course Schedule and Reading Assignment file on Blackboard. Late work will not be accepted.

Texts: Students will be expected to utilize internet links, course materials and conduct research on topics related to the course work products and discussion assignments. There are no required textbooks for this course.

Suggested Text: American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Recommended Reading: Throughout the course, supplemental materials will be provided to enhance the overall course. From time to time, the instructors may upload various related materials to supplement a section of the text or the topic of discussion. These materials will be uploaded with instructions as to what action should be taken. From time to time, scenarios and other related activities will be uploaded for students to participate as it relates to the module or weekly topics. You must regularly monitor the discussion board to be aware of these extra reading assignments or individual/group activities.

Technical Support: This is an online course. From time to time, you will need assistance or may require help with technical support. The university has a technical support site at tac@uncw.edu that will assist you at any time. Always use this service prior to contacting your instructor. You should notify your instructor if you are working with TAC on an unresolved issue so your instructor is informed and can work with you to alter or adjust any necessary changes to the assignment.

Blackboard Netiquette: You must carefully consider your tone when posting messages and/or discussion responses to Blackboard. Since there are no visual clues, other than the message posted, pay careful attention to the manner in which messages are posted so that messages will not be taken out of context. Do not use all caps, bold, or underline to emphasize your points. Also, remember that even if you disagree with another person's idea, opinion or solution, do not attack the person. Simply state that you disagree with the person's idea, opinion or solution, and defend your alternative response with logical, coherent, data-based and non-judgmental statements. All responses must be based on data from course files, documents, materials and/or research conducted by you. Also, refrain from continuing a discussion that simply rehashes what has already been stated. Furthermore, in order to keep the level of discourse at a graduate level, please refrain from using "e slang" when posting messages (i.e. "i no ur readin @ home" is not acceptable). Please use complete and coherent thoughts with appropriate punctuation and capitalization.

Professional Conduct: All students are required to adhere to the Watson School of Education Standards for Professional Conduct (See ).

Violence Prevention: UNCW violence prevention information and resources are available at

Other Websites of Interest

Educational Lab (WSE), ;

Randall Library,

Randall Research Site,

Students with Disabilities, ;

University Learning Center,

Technology Assistance Center,

Special Needs: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statue that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the office of the Dean of Students 2017 Fisher University Union, 910-962-3119.

Reading and Discussion Assignments: Please review files and posting assignments in Blackboard.

Grading Scale

Total points available: 100

A 91 - 100

B 81 - 90

C 71 - 80

F Below 71

PART I – Dr. Howard V. Coleman - Week 1 and Week 2 Assignments

January 17 Introductions, Course Overview, Standards & Expectations

Complete discussion posting assignment for January 24th

January 24 Introduction Posting Assignment Due – 5 pts

NCLB, NC ABCs & AYP

Reading & Discussion Assignments for January 31st

January 31 Group Discussion posting on NCLB & NC ABCs Due – 5 pts

Professionalism

Reading & Discussion Assignments for February 7th

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