INTPUCTION TO EDUCATIONAL ADMINIST ION?
Education 487-4
SPRING, 1985
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INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Norman Robinson
Thursday, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
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Office: MPX 8666
Location: On campus (TBA)
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Phone: 291-4165
COURSE PURPOSES
Education 487 is designed as an introduction to the world of educational
administration. Students who take this course can expect to gain a good
broad understanding of how education is administered in Canada, and more
particularly, in British Columbia.
Students will gain insights into the politics of education, the economics of
education, the social factors affecting education and legal factors influencing
education. Above all, students will gain insight into how schools and school
districts really operate.
Students who complete this course should come away from the experience with a
more intelligent and insightful understanding of schools and the social
environment in which they operate.
Education 487 is a particularly valuable course for those students who are
hoping to become school principals, school vice-principals, superintendents of
schools or to hold administrative positions in school districts or the Ministry
of Education.
Education 487 is particularly essential for those students who are planning to
do graduate studies in educational administration. It provides a broad
foundation for graduate work.
COURSE EXPERIENCES
A variety of course experiences will be offered. These 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.
COURSE READINGS
The core readings for the course are from the following text:
Wilfred B.W. Martin Allan J. Macdonell, Canadian Education (Second Edition),
Scarborough: Prentice-Hall Canada, 1982.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments for the course are of five kinds.
1. Regular Class Preparation: Every student will have required reading
assignments tor each class session along with any additional preparatory
work assigned.
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2.
Special Class Work: During the course individual students or groups of
students will be given extra readings for which they will have special
responsibility. In addition, individual students will be given special
responsibilities from time to time, e.g., chairing a group discussion, etc.
3.
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, emph-
asizing its relevance and value. This synopsis and critique should not
exceed four to five pages.
A copy of the article should be submitted with the synopsis and critique.
4.
In-Class Presentation: Each student will give a brief (10 minute) in-class
presentation on a relevant course topic that is chosen in consultation with
the instructor.
S. Term Paper: Each student will prepare a term paper of medium length (6 to
9 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.
MARX DISTRIBUTION
Mark distribution for the course assignment is as follows:
Assignment
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Mark Percentage
Regular class preparation!
Special class work
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45%
Critique
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15%
In-class presentation
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15%
Term paper
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25%
GUIDE TO CORE READINGS
In addition to the core readings, other readings will be assigned to the class
and distributed at appropriate times.
The Social Context of Educational Administration
1. Education and the Canadian Scene
Martin Macdonell (M M), Chapter 1
2.
The Administrative Structure of Education in Canada
M f M. Chapter 2
The Administration of Schools
3.
The Formal Organization of the School
M f M, Chapter 6
4.
The Work of the School Administrator
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S. Leadership in Schools
6.
Groups and Group Processes in Schools
M f M, Chapter 3
7.
The Student in the School
M F M, Chapter 4
8.
The Teacher in the School
M , M, Chapter 5
The Politics and Governance of Education
9.
The Provincial Government's Role in Education
M M, Chapter 7
10.
The School District's Role in Education
M ? M, Chapter 7
11.
Interest Groups in Education
M E M, Chapter 8
The Financing of Education
12.
Educational Finance in Canada and B.C.
M M, Chapter 7
Special Issues Facing Educational Administration Today
13.
The Changing School
M E, M, Chapter 9
14.
Improving Educational Opportunities
M M, Chapters 10, 11, 12
15. Education and the labour Market
M E M. Chapter 13
16.
Education and Social Change
M E, M, Chapter 14