(EDL 742) School Board Relations
Syllabus of Record
Catalog Description: This course focuses on the major factors that influence the
relationship between the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools. Areas
examined are the nature of policy development and administration, the influence of external
factors on local control and the discretionary authority boards grant their
Superintendents. Three Credits.
Unit Mission, Philosophy, Values:
Our Mission:
“Teaching, Leading and Learning in a Democratic Society”
The College of Education prepares candidates who enhance the individual growth of their
students while working to establish policies and practices that promote the principles of
democratic education. The College articulates this mission as Teaching, Leading, and
Learning in a Democratic Society.
Philosophy:
Student Potential, Ethical Implications
Believing that schools function as social and political entities as well as for the growth of
individuals, the College of Education prepares teachers and leaders
a) to enhance the academic and personal potential of their students
b) to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices.
Values:
“Expertise, Equity, Liberal Education, Social Responsibility”
The College of Education values expertise to guide our practice, equity to guide our
interactions, liberal education to guide our perspectives, and social responsibility to guide
our commitment to democratic education. We value these ideals in our preparation of
candidates, our development of faculty, and our relationships with the larger community we
serve.
Unit and Program Standards:
Common Unit Standards: Michigan Department of Education (MDE). This course supports
the Standards for the Advanced Programs in Educational Leadership as developed by the
Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), a constituent member of the National
Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Specialty Program Standards: Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
Course Standards and Assessments:
Course Standards:
1, Understand the role that the School Board has in developing a relationship
with the Superintendent. [ELCC 1.4]
2. Understand the role that the Superintendent has in developing a relationship
with the Board of Education. [ELCC 1.4]
3. Know the responsibilities of the Board of Education and Superintendent [ELCC
1.4]
4. Understand the importance of developing and communicating a vision and belief
that will guide the Superintendent. [ELCC 1.1]
5. Have an awareness of topics Superintendents face from preparation for the job
and how to deal with the changing composition of school boards [ELCC 6.2].
6. Have the knowledge and ability to develop, articulate and implement a district
vision of learning supported by the school board and community. [ELCC 1.5]
7. Be able to develop and articulate a vision and belief system that promotes the
positive aspects of a school culture, professional development of teachers and the
success of all students. [ELCC 1.2]
8. Understand that the role of the Superintendent includes the ability to manage the
total operation with a strong moral and ethical belief system. [ELCC 6.2]
9. Understand the need for the Superintendent to work collaboratively with all
aspects of the school community to address diverse community needs.
[ELCC 6.1]
Common Assessment: Research-Based Improvement Plan: Based on research, best
practice, and a model of continuous improvement, develop a plan for moving a School
District to the next level.
Major Topics:
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What is an educational system?
What are the roles and responsibilities of the Governance Team?
How does leadership influence student performance?
What is the work of the Governance Team and how is this work done?
What is the District’s accountability model?
What is success?
Course Knowledge Base
Representative Examples of Course Knowledge, Theory, Research, and Application
Data Base and References:
California School Boards Association, Illinois Association of School Boards, Maine School
Boards Association, Pennsylvania School Boards Association, & Washington State School
Directors’ Association. (2005). Targeting Student Learning: The School Board's Role as
Policymaker. Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.
Center for Public Education. (2005). Teacher quality and student achievement: Key lessons
learned from research. Alexandria, VA: Center for Public Education. Available on line
http://www.nsba.org/site/sec_peac.asp?TRACKID=&CID=1242&DID=32138
Center for Public Education. (2005). High-performing, high-poverty schools: Key lessons
learned from research. Alexandria, VA: Center for Public Education. Available on line
http://www.nsba.org/site/sec_peac.asp?TRACKID=&CID=1242&DID=36516
Fruchter, N. & Blank, M. (2003). Next-generation models of education accountability: The
community involvement model. Denver, CO: Education Commission of the States.
Available online http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/46/28/4628.doc
Gemberling, K. W., Smith, C. W. & Villani, J. S. (2004). Leading Change: The Case for
Continuous Improvement. Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.
Gemberling, K. W., Smith, C. W. & Villani, J. S. (2000). The Key Work of School Boards
Guidebook, Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.
Henderson, E., Henry, J., Saks, J. B., & Wright, A. (2001). Team Leadership for Student
Achievement. Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.
Hoyle, J. R., English, F.W., & Steffy, B. E. (1998). Skills for Successful 21st Century School
Leaders. Arlington, VA: AASA.
Learning First Alliance (2005). Promoting America’s public schools: A practical guide to
promoting America’s public schools: Values, vision and performance. Alexandria, VA:
Center for Public Education.
McKay, A. B. & Newcombe, J. (2002). Aligning Resources for Student Achievement. .
Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.
Murphy, J. & Louis, K. S. (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Educational Administration. San
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Resnick, M. A. (2000). Communities Count: A School Board Guide to Public Engagement.
Alexandria, VA: National School Boards Association.