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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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Education 439-4
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Educational Administration: Theory and Practice
Fall Semester 1989
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Instructor: ?
N. Robinson
Sept. 5 - Dec. 15 ?
Office: ?
MPX 8666
Thursdays, 4:30 - 8:20 P. M.
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Phone:
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291-4165
Location: MPX 8620
Course Description
Education 439 is designed as an introduction to the world of educational
administration. Students who take this course can expect to gain a broad,
general understanding of how education is administered in Canada, and more
particularly, in British Columbia.
Students who complete this course should come away from the course
experience with a more intelligent and insightful understanding of both the
dynamics of school operations and the social and political environment in which
schools function. Students will gain insights into the politics of education, the
economics of education, and the social and legal factors influencing education.
Particular emphasis will be given to the study of organizational behaviour in
schools.
A variety of course experiences will be offered to emphasize both knowledge
acquisition and the development of administrative skills. These experiences
will include individual study and research, lectures, small group discussions,
and class projects. Extensive use will be made of case studies, role plays,
simulations and filmed materials.
Education 439 is a particularly valuable course for those students who are
planning to become school principals, vice-principals, superintendents of
schools or senior officials in the Ministry of Education. The course is particularly
essential for those students who are planning to undertake graduate studies in
educational administration. It provides a broad foundation for graduate work.
Prerequisites
Education 401/402 or equivalent.
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Course Readings
Readings for the course will be distributed by the instructor at the beginning of
the course.
Course Assignments and Grade Contracting
Assignments for the course are of four kinds:
Regular class preparation. Every student will have required reading
assignments for each class session along with additional preparatory work
assigned, e.g. case studies, role plays.
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Critique. Each student will choose an article from the literature on a topic
in educational administration. The student will provide a synopsis and
critique of the article, emphasizing its relevance and value to the practice
of educational administration. The synopsis and critique should not
exceed four to five pages. A copy of the article should be submitted with
the synopsis and critique.
3a.
In-class presentation. A student may choose to give a brief (20 minute) in-
class presentation on a relevant course topic that will be chosen after
discussion with the instructor.
or
3b.
Book Review. A student may choose to do a book review of 7 to 8 pages
on a recent significant book in education.
4. Term Paper. Each student will prepare a term paper of medium length (8
to 10 pages) which will centre on a topic of significance in educational
administration. The focus and form of the paper will be determined by
each student after consultation with the instructor.
Mark distribution for the course assignments is as follows:
Requirement
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Mark Percentage
Regular class preparation
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35%
Critique
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15
In-class presentation or book review
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25
Term paper
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25
Each student may contract for the grade desired. Students who wish to contract
for a grade at the C level will be required to do assignments 1 and 2.
The grade awarded at the C level (C-, C or 0+) will depend upon the quality of
work done at this level.
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3
Students who wish to contract for a grade at the B level will do assignments 1, 2
and 3. The grade awarded at the B level (B-, B or B+) will depend upon the
quality of work done at this level.
Students who wish to contract for a grade at the A level will do assignments 1,
2, 3
and 4. The grade awarded at the A level (A-, A or A+) will depend upon the
quality of work done at this level.
Course Topics
The Social Context of Education in Canada
1.
Public attitudes toward education
2.
Purposes of schooling
3.
Historical development of education in Canada (with particular
reference to British Columbia)
4.
The administrative labyrinth of Canadian education
5.
Major issues in education in Canada
The Organization and Administration of Schools in Canada
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The formal and informal organization of schools
7.
Administrative roles and responsibilities in schools
8.
Leadership in schools
9.
Groups and group processes in schools
10.
The teacher in the school
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The student in the school
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Home-school relationships
The Political Context of Education in Canada
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The federal government and education
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The provincial government's role in education
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The school district's role in education
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Interest groups in education
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Community involvement in education
The Legal and Financial Context of Education
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Law and education
19.
Financing education in Canada
Special Issues Facing Educational Leaders Today
20.
Global issues
21. National/provincial issues
22.
Province/school system issues
23.
Community/school issues
