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Educational Leadership 620

EDEL 620: Educational Research for School Leaders

Prerequisite: None

Credit hours (3)

This course will provide students with the knowledge and skill to identify a problem of educational practice, analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, critically examine research and professional literature, and develop a plan to act on the problem, monitor actions, and evaluate outcomes.

Detailed Description of Course

This course provides focuses on the process of conducting applied research in an educational setting. The following topics will be included:

   1) Introduction to research
   2) Library/database skills in research
   3) Collection and analysis of data to identify and describe a problem of educational practice
   4) Identification of those with whom to collaborate in conducting school-based research
   5) Location and critical analysis of literature related to a problem of practice
   6) Development of actions designed to address a problem of practice
   7) Monitoring of implementation of research actions to ensure fidelity
    8) Evaluation of outcomes through both qualitative and quantitative measures
    9) Presentation of research proposals and results to constituencies

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Course readings and an in-depth, school-based project will serve as the primary basis for in-class and online threaded discussions. Lectures will supplement and reinforce course readings and project work. A variety of assignments (collecting and analyzing data, describing a problem, locating research, designing research actions, monitoring and evaluating research actions) requiring field work, online research, and collaboration will be used to help students develop a complex understanding of research in education as a means to achieve continuous school improvement.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The goals, objectives, and assignments in this class address standards specified in Regulations Governing the Review and Approval of Education Programs in Virginia, Administration and Supervision PreK-12 and the National Educational Leadership Preparation standards and the CAEP Advanced Program Standards..

Students will:

1. Demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills related to:

a. Applications of data literacy;
b. Use of research and understanding of qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research methodologies, and;
c. Employment of data analysis and evidence to develop supportive school environments.

2. Discuss and demonstrate the capacity to lead improvement processes that include data use, design, implementation, and evaluation.

3. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of planning, assessment, and instructional leadership that builds collective professional capacity, including;

a. Collaborative leadership in gathering and analyzing data to identify needs to develop and implement a school improvement plan that results in increased student learning and;
b. Identification, analysis, and resolution of problems using effective problem-solving techniques.

4. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of leadership and organizations, including;

a. Information sources and processing, including data collection and data analysis strategies;
b. Using data as a part of ongoing program evaluation to inform and lead change; and
c. Developing a change management strategy for improved student outcomes;

5. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application of management and leadership skills that achieve effective and efficient organizational operations and sustain an instructional program conducive to student academic progress, including application of data-driven decision-making to initiate and continue improvement in school and classroom practices and student achievement.

Assessment Measures

Learning will be assessed in a variety of ways. These include, but are not limited to:

1) Written responses to and reflections on readings, class discussions, and project activities.
2) Participation in oral and online threaded discussions.
3) Completion of a project focused on an actual problem of educational practice in which the student conducts data analysis to identify and describe the problem, develops an action plan based on a review of scholarly and professional knowledge, monitors implementation of actions, and evaluates outcomes.

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

May 2, 2016

May 5, 2022