EDD 614 – Issues in Educational Leadership: Synthesis and Application (3 units)

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Dr. Robert Pritchard 916-278-4587 (office) Benicia Hall 1013 916-784-9294 (home) Office hours: F 4:00-5:30; S 5:30-6:30; by appointment 559-930-1281 (cell) [email protected]

COURSE OVERVIEW AND INFORMATION This case study based seminar course is designed to help candidates prepare for the qualifying examination. The course integrates the three themes of the program: 1) Transformational Leadership, (2) Critical Policy Analysis and Action, and (3) Informed Decision-Making. There will be an emphasis on learning to apply the seven general objectives of the EdD program by critically reviewing appropriate cases studies in educational leadership. The seven objectives are: critical analysis, integrative thinking, effective communication to K-14 stakeholders, understanding professional roles, practical applications, leadership and equity.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS In preparation for the qualifying examination, students will be expected to complete one case study analysis out of class and analyze parts of three case studies in class. Students will attend and participate in all sessions, and actively participate in peer review activities and presentations. All readings and learning activities have been selected to help orient and prepare students for the qualifying examination. Students are expected to read and think about the applications of the material, and complete all assignments on or before their due date. Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of scholarship in all activities and assignments, in keeping with the norms of doctoral level coursework. All written assignments are to be typed, double-spaced and in hardcopy or electronic format using Microsoft Word. When applicable, written assignments should conform to APA writing style.

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS The instructor will provide copies of required course materials. Students are strongly encouraged to consult texts, articles and other resources and materials that were provided in previous courses.

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND PROFESSIONALISM IN THE CLASSROOM All students attending this course have a right to a classroom environment which permits the highest quality learning experience. Students have a right to disagree and to debate points of view on the subjects and topics covered. However, criticism of others is not acceptable.

Because of the intensity and short timeline for this course, students are asked to turn off cell phones and only use their laptop computers for course related work during the class sessions.

The assignments students turn in for this course must honestly be their work. A student committing plagiarism will be subject to disciplinary action which could include failing the assignment, failing the course, being dropped from the course or other action as deemed appropriate by the instructor or the university. Plagiarism is defined as: presenting someone else’s work as your own whether it be their ideas, expression of those ideas, or rewriting of your own ideas by someone else.

1 COURSE ASSIGNMENTS Percent of Grade Attendance/Participation 60 pts Case Study Analysis Assignments 40 pts

COURSE CALENDAR April 19th 5:30-9:30 Understanding the Qualifying Examination (QE)  Overview of the QE process  QE rubric and scoring procedures  Student questions and concerns  Major themes and concepts covered in previous Ed. D. courses April 20th 8:30-12:00 Understanding the Scorer’s Perspective  Calibration of faculty and inter-rater reliability  Analysis of case study # 1 1:00-5:30 Understanding the Reader’s and Writer’s Perspectives  Strategies for reading a case study  Strategies for writing a case study response  Using the QE Worksheet: Addressing the Rubrics as an analysis tool  Analysis of case study # 2 Assignment between Class Meetings:  Complete an analysis of case study # 3 and e-mail it to the instructor. Details and due date will be discussed in class on April 20th. May 3rd 5:30-9:30 Providing and Utilizing Feedback  Review instructor’s evaluation of case study # 3 analyses  Evaluate another student’s analysis of case study # 3  Review the feedback to your case study # 3 analysis  Discuss test taking strategies and other issues related to case study analysis May 4th 8:30-12:00 Understanding the Testing Context  Complete a mock QE in the computer lab where the QE will be held  Analysis of case study # 4 1:00-5:30 Evaluating your Preparedness for the QE  Debrief the mock QE  Evaluate your partner’s mock exam  Review strategies to use when taking the QE  Review major themes and concepts covered in previous Ed D. courses May 17th 5:30-8:30  To be determined May 18th 8:00-4:00 Students Take the QE

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