New Directions in Educational LeadershipCenter for Excellence in Teaching

Understanding of qualitative and quantitative interpretation of educational research, with emphasis on conducting action research in the classroom. Assessment skills, evaluation techniques and discussion of current trends in research will be highlighted. Avenues for goal setting such as portfolio development, task building and rubric design will be included.

• Instructor(s): Alice Ericksen

Focus on two broad areas of school finance: state school finance and district financial management. Development of an understanding of the Oregon state school finance issues and the state process for budget development. Discussion of district-level budget processes, including revenue forecasting, financial accountability, technical and political skills necessary for budget development, alternative budgeting techniques and local budget law.

Examination and application of facilitative leadership skills to foster team building and school improvement in the context of Oregon’s state reform framework. This course focuses on the application of research for the teaching, learning and assessment processes. Emphasis given to understanding educational change theories and how assessment information improves student learning and overall school performance.

Focus on understanding the internal functioning of school boards and working productively with district employees and the community. Topics include organizational conflict resolution, team building, change process and media communication skills. The framework includes labor negotiations, special interest groups, cultural competency and how to guide oppositional groups to common ground.

• Instructor(s): Bob Lee

Examines intra/inter-personal communication processes with staff, parents, students and community in today’s educational environment. Exploring the causes of conflict, candidates will consider resolution strategies for working with all parties and build a strong personal skill set to promote a positive school climate.

Major issues facing school leaders and the ethics involved in those issues are analyzed in this course. Topics include issues faced by schools in our political democracy: equal opportunity, legislative process, resource allocation, school-community relations and perceptions, student and teacher conduct, curriculum content and church-state relations.

Designed to help the administrator understand the need for a comprehensive communication with all agencies and personnel at the state level. This experience introduces students to the ODE, ESD, School Board Association and COSA, and emphasizes the legislative process including levy elections, ballot measures, and legislative or congressional issues.

Interacting with individuals at the national, state and local level of school administration will be the emphasis of this experience. Students will attend conferences, professional meetings and association projects and create a system for accessing expertise at the state and national level.

Research into labor practices and policies; interacting with representatives of labor organizations; developing a dialogue with state mediators of labor disputes and observation/participation in labor negotiations.

Use of technology resources to support building and district-level decision making and instruction; evaluating and planning for on-going technology purchase, training, and support; approaches to integrating technology into classroom instruction and student learning; working productively with technology support services.

• Instructor(s): Bonnie Staebler

Grant-writing process and management in education: sources, proposal content, writing tips, and visuals. Building a cohesive proposal: objectives, budget, and evaluation. Managing a successful grant: following relevant indicators and performance standards, activities implemented within the budget, and outcomes are accomplished within the stated time frame.