ELM78100 - Educational Leadership

(3 units)

This course is designed to examine and analyze theories of leadership, organizational behavior, decision making, and the role of the leader within the context of educational organizations. Comparisons of management and leadership styles and its relationship to effective schools will be explored. The course will investigate the role of the leader in various contexts and analyze approaches to issues such as decentralization, the change process, shared governance, decision making, school climate and culture, program improvement, and student rights. This course also includes the study of political, social, and economic forces affecting public school systems. Federal, state, and county mandates and policies related to funding requirements, court decisions, and other influences are discussed. The organization administration and control of local school districts including school boards, administrators, unions, professional organizations, and pressure groups are given thorough attention. Concepts of authority, power, and influence will be examined.