Ed.D in Leadership
SYLLABUS EDLP704 and EDLP 705
INSTRUCTORS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
EDLP 704 Frameworks for Decision-making: Legal Perspectives
Critical analyses of legal research, theory and laws related to case studies provided.
Critical analysis of legal and policy issues, as well as policy development/implementation
theory. Applications of research, laws and policies related to the case studies provided.
EDLP 705 Frameworks for Decision-making: Ethical Perspectives
In-depth analyses of issues and problem-solving using research, ethics theory and
frameworks. Application of research and theory to development of solutions in focused
area of study.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Vacca, R.S. and Bosher, Jr., W.C. (2008). Law and education: Contemporary issues
and court decisions (7th Edition).
Kaminsky, K.R., Cafferky, J. F.,Ewing, E.E. and Lacy, P. D. (most recent). Virginia
school law deskbook, volumes I and II.
Strike, K.A., Haller, E. J., and Soltis, J.F. (2005). The ethics of school administration.
Various supplemental readings as assigned.
Ed.D in Leadership
SYLLABUS EDLP704 and EDLP 705
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students successfully completing the courses will:
Understand the bases of ethical analysis
Apply ethics theories and frameworks to analyses of educational issues and to problemsolving
Understand federal and state legal systems
Apply legal concepts and policy theory to analyses of educational issues and to
problem-solving
Research and write competently
Use appropriate written and verbal communication.
Analyze problems and propose solutions using equity, accountability and learning
lenses
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING: Students are expected to be present at
all classes and may be required to complete additional assignments for classes missed.
Students are expected to come prepared to participate in class discussions and
activities. Students are expected to complete course work, journaling and team
assignments according to schedule.
ASSIGNMENT/CRITERIA
PERCENT OF GRADE (approximate)
Attendance and Participation
Case Analysis: Ethics and Leadership
Research Analysis I: Legal Analysis
Research Analysis II: Policy Analysis
Final Research Project and Presentation
Final grades will be on a 10-point scale. Grade of “Incomplete” will be given ONLY
under extenuating circumstances, after prior consultation with and consideration by
instructional team.
10%
15%
25%
25%
25%
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Ed.D in Leadership
SYLLABUS EDLP704 and EDLP 705
CLASS MEETING TOPICS
MONTH
January to
mid- February
TOPICS
ASSIGNMENTS DUE
Introductions
Overview of semester requirements
Overview of case studies
Frameworks for Understanding Ethics
Applied research related to ethics and
case studies
Mid- Februarymid-March
Federal and state court systems
Federal and state laws
Role of Virginia Board of Education and
Department of Education
Mid-March –
mid-April
Legal research methods
Policy development theory
Resource allocation analysis
Applied research related to legal issues
and case studies
Using financial analyses methods for policy
development
Applying legal perspectives and ethical
perspectives to equity, accountability, and
learning.
Mid-April and
May
NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, we will NOT meet if the school/University is
closed for students OR if after-school activities for students are cancelled.
VCU Policies
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires Virginia Commonwealth University
to provide a reasonable accommodation to any individual who advises us of a physical
or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an
accommodation or an academic adjustment, please arrange a meeting with your
instructor within the first two weeks of class.
It is the policy of Virginia Commonwealth University to accord students, on an individual
basis, the opportunity to observe their traditional religious holidays. Students desiring to
observe a religious holiday of special importance must provide advance written
notification to each instructor by the end of the second week of classes.
Students are responsible for refraining from committing any act of cheating, plagiarizing,
facilitating academic dishonesty abusing academic materials, or soliciting others to
engage in any of these acts. Specifications of the VCU Honor System can be found in
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Ed.D in Leadership
SYLLABUS EDLP704 and EDLP 705
the University Resource Guide and can be located online at
http://www.vcu.edu/provost/univ_policies/honor.htm
VCU CAMPUS SAFETY
VCU has instituted the following safety and emergency procedures:
1. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency
evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
2. You can be notified immediately about emergencies and closings/delays for
inclement weather by signing up for the FREE text messaging service at
www.vcu.edu/alert/notify.
3. Digital screens installed in buildings and residence halls will provide audio and
visual alerts
4. Desktop alert messages will be sent to desktops on the VCU wired and wireless
network
5. Email will be used to send information to everyone with a VCU email account.
Parents of students can sign up for email alerts at the above website
6. Flashing yellow lights continue to mark emergency response telephones on
campus. VCU police emergency number is 828 1234.
7. Sirens have been installed on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses when it
may be necessary to get everyone’s attention at once. When the siren sounds,
a. Remain in the building and seek additional information about what is
happening and what you should do
b. If outside a building but on campus, go to the nearest University building
and seek additional information about what is happening and what you
should do
c. If off campus, do not come to campus and seek additional information
about what is happening and what you should do
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