Research for Change

Course Description

Educational leaders, particularly superintendents, are increasingly being held accountable for student performance and achievement, but also for how data are collected, presented and used to monitor students' progress and to inform other decision-making in school districts. The purpose of this course is to help participants acquire the abilities to critically consume, evaluate and produce research and evaluation information that leads to change in leadership. This course focuses on developing skill sets to critique research and to conceptualize, design and conduct practitioner-based research projects specifically related to the practice of educational leadership. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how educational research contributes to knowledge about effective professional practices related to student performance and achievement. Research design, data collection and analysis procedures, coupled using data to inform leadership decision will be explored through lecture, class discussion, readings, small work group activities and individual/team projects. Individual and team projects are the primary vehicles for applying analytical tools and research procedures for change in leadership. In addition, the course addresses professional and ethical standards for best practice in developing, implementing and using research information. The framework and content for this course are based on standards developed by the Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership program. Ideally, research helps educational leaders question, explore, analyze, and summarize problems of interest. Methods, designs and data analysis procedures are selected to match a specific research topic, question or context. In order to make these choices wisely, educational leaders should have exposure to and knowledge of a variety of tools and procedures. In general, this course examines the logic and procedures of research and evaluation of educational issues with a heavy emphasis on application (i.e., use of data sources, sub-group analysis for decision making). This course (structured in a research workshop format) offers a doctoral-level survey of research and evaluation methods in education focused on decision-making. The course will cover both the theory and practice of research for change in educational leadership settings.

Code

EDAD 8636

Credits

3

Subject

EDAD

Programs That Include This Course

• Doctoral Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership