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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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EDUCATION 439-4
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION: THEORY AND PRACTICE
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(E1.00)
Spring Semester 1992
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Instructor: N. Robinson
(January 6—April 3)
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Office: ?
MPX8666
Thursdays, 4:30 - 8:20 p.m.
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Phone: ?
291-4165
Location: MPX 8651
PREREQUISITES -
Education 401i402
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
These will be distributed by the instructor at the beginning of the course.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments and responsibilities for the course are of three kinds:
Attendance. Each student is expected to be present for all classes and field sessions of the
class. In the event of extenuating circumstances, it is the responsibility of the student to
inform the instructor of any proposed absence.
2.
Regular class
p
resentation. Each student will have required reading assignments for each
class session along with additional preparatory work assigned, e.g., case study analysis,
role plays.
3.
Assignments from the list of suggested assignments. The list of suggested assignments
(which will be distributed at the
beginning
of the course) includes assignments such as book
reviews, field observations, in-class presentations, article reviews, small-scale research
studies, term papers, writing of case studies, etc.
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GRADE CONTRACTING
Each student may contract for the grade desired.
Students who wish to contract for a grade at the C level will be required to complete assignments
and responsibilities 1 and 2 and one assignment from 3. 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 complete assignments and
responsibilities 1 and 2 and two assignments from 3. The grade awarded at the B level (B-, B or
B+) will depend upon the quality of the work done at this level.
Students who wish to contract for a grade at the A level will complete assignments and
responsibilities 1 and 2 and three assignments from 3. 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
