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Ed.D in Leadership

SYLLABUS EDLP704 and EDLP 705

INSTRUCTORS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

COURSEDESCRIPTIONS:

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.

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 problem-solving
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 / 10%
Case Analysis: Ethics and Leadership / 15%
Research Analysis I: Legal Analysis / 25%
Research Analysis II: Policy Analysis / 25%
Final Research Project and Presentation / 25%

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.

CLASS MEETING TOPICS

MONTH

/ TOPICS / ASSIGNMENTS DUE
January to mid- February / Introductions
Overview of semester requirements
Overview of case studies
Frameworks for Understanding Ethics
Applied research related to ethics and case studies
Mid- February-
mid-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
Mid-April and May / Using financial analyses methods for policy development
Applying legal perspectives and ethical perspectives to equity, accountability, and learning.

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 VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity 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 VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity 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 the University Resource Guide and can be located online at

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
  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 MonroePark and MCV campuses when it may be necessary to get everyone’s attention at once. When the siren sounds,
  8. Remain in the building and seek additional information about what is happening and what you should do
  9. 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
  10. 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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