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    SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    EDUCATION 439-4
    ?
    EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION: THEORY AND PRACTICE
    Spring Semester 1991
    ?
    Instructor: ?
    N. Robinson
    (Jan. 7 - April 5)
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    Office: ?
    MPX 8666
    Thursdays, 4:30 - 8:20 P. M.
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    Phone: ?
    291-4165
    Location: MPX 7504
    PREREQUISITES -
    Education 401/402 or equivalent.
    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.
    COURSE READINGS -
    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:
    1.
    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.
    2.
    Criti q
    ue. 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.
    a
    Mark distribution for the c
    ?
    e assignments is as follows:
    Re q uirement ?
    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 ?
    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 C+) will depend upon the quality of work done at this level.
    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
    6.
    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
    11.
    The student in the school
    12.
    Home-school relationships
    The Political Context of Education in Canada
    13.
    The federal government and education
    14.
    The provincial government's role in education
    15.
    The school district's role in education
    16.
    Interest groups in education
    17.
    Community involvement in education
    The Legal and Financial Context of Education
    18.
    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

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