EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (EDL)   EDL 410 Leadership Development 1 cr This course is for undergraduates who are, or aspire to be, leaders. Faculty from throughout the University will direct weekly class sessions. Requires permission of the Dean of Students.   EDL 501 Theories of Instructional Leadership   Emphasis on the knowledge and ability to create a learning environment based on clearly defined goals and where all stakeholders participate in a shared vision of high expectations that supports a safe and orderly learning environment. Students will demonstrate a clear understanding of how to apply their knowledge of the school organization and the curriculum to meet state and local goals and objectives, providing needed professional development and support with allocated resources. Students will have the ability to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to meet the needs of all members of the school community.   EDL 502 Data-Driven Instructional Leadership   Emphasis on the knowledge to create a leadership team which will guide the shared vision of annual learning and achievement goals. Students will demonstrate the ability to use all resources to assess and analyze data as a basis for creating, implementing, and evaluating a plan for continuous improvement using technology as well as other indicators of school success.   EDL 503 Supervision and Professional Development   Emphasis on the knowledge of how to set high expectations and standards for all staff and teachers and follow all state and local regulations that govern those employees. Students will demonstrate the ability to hire, support, and maintain a diverse and competent, highly-qualified staff, providing continuous professional development and maintaining his/her own continuous improvement. Students will understand how to distribute leadership among teachers and school staff and provide necessary knowledge and support in their assigned roles.   EDL 504 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of School Leadership   Emphasis on the knowledge of a professional code of ethics and values, based on state and local regulations, which will be used to make decisions regarding all standards and regulations and "set the tone" for the entire school program. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the acquired knowledge as he/she develops well-reasoned educational beliefs based upon an understanding of teaching and learning. Students will acquire the tools to develop a continuing dialogue with economic and political decision-makers concerning the role of schools and to build collaborative relationships that support improved social and educational opportunities for all children. Students will have the ability to serve as role models, accepting responsibility for using their position ethically and constructively on behalf of the school district/community.   EDL 505 Business Management of the Learning Organization   Emphasis on the knowledge of fiscal and non-fiscal resources and the technology to manage financial and material assets and capital goods and services. The students will have the ability to understand the budget planning process that involves staff and community and create and implement a budget that supports all curricular, instructional and professional development goals, including developing a plan for technology integration for the school community.   EDL 506 Teaching and Learning for Instructional Leaders   Emphasis on the knowledge to sure that decisions about curriculum, instructional strategies (including instructional technology), assessment and professional development are based on sound research, best practices, school and district data, and other contextual information and that observation and collaboration are used to design meaningful and effective experiences that improve student achievement. Students will acquire the ability to identify and find solutions for barriers to student learning and communicate the importance of developing learning strategies for diverse populations. They will be able to align the curriculum based on identified needs and monitor student success to ensure accountability. Students will serve as a model of lifelong learning as they promote continuous learning for themselves, their students and staff.   EDL 513 Instructional Leadership and 3 cr Curriculum Development Students in this course will learn to participate in the process of instructional improvement, adaptation to the needs of children and local communities, and instructional leadership within schools. The course will include staff development, instructional evaluation and assessment, school effectiveness concepts, government requirements, cultural diversity, curriculum development, problem solving, small group leadership, conflict management, empowerment, professional ethics, and other interpersonal skills applied to instructional development situations.   EDL 517 Education Law 3 cr Students completing this course will demonstrate understanding of the legal system of schools. Students will be able to relate to constitutional, federal, state, and local requirements as they concern students, employees, teachers, and instructional program administration. Students will understand statutory rights of certified and non-certified personnel in Alabama, including due process, tenure, transfer, suspension, and termination, and will be able to investigate legal matters affecting the administration of schools.   EDL 525 School Finance 3 cr This course explores leadership skills related to group dynamics, problem identification, accountability, diversity, economic levels, and their relationship to financing schools. Internal and external public relations and political factors which impact the funding of school will also be discussed. Fiscal management, including the Alabama Local School Accounting and Reporting System, will be analyzed.   EDL 550 Principles of School Leadership 3 cr This course provides understanding and skills in the leadership and management of schools, including elements of effective classroom management, monitoring student services, and school and community relations. Management skills associated with school facilities, transportation, and student records will be studied.   EDL 557 Supervisory Leadership 3 cr Students completing this course will learn to work with teachers in improving classroom instruction. Students will demonstrate the ability to collect classroom information, including assessment and evaluative data; coordinate student service needs; direct teachers using leadership, motivational techniques, professional ethics, and school management; and use techniques such as personnel selection, stress management, conflict management, scheduling, and research in adapting instruction to the changing needs of the community.   EDL 590 Special Topics 3 cr Guided supervision in the identification and completion of educational tasks, such as program design, program revision, self study for accreditation visitation, supervision in the organization, and application of selected learning activities to acquire and enhance leadership skills.   EDL 594 Directed Study in Educational Leadership 1-3 cr Exploration of problems and issues of special interest or significance in Educational Leadership. Not more than three semester hours of any departmental 594 courses can be accepted toward a degree.   EDL 595 Internship in Educational Leadership 1-6 cr The internship is a supervised learning experience in several work settings which simulates the reality of Educational Leadership work situations. The internship provides an opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned during the student’s graduate program. Students are expected to complete no fewer than 50 hours for each semester hour earned.   EDL 598 Internship   Students will have meaningful and practical experiences in actual school setting during the course of the instructional leadership program. The internship is designed to place candidates in the cooperating school during critical times of instructional planning. Students will demonstrate their ability to apply knowledge and skills learned in core courses under the collaborative partnership of the University and the assigned school leadership. Experiences will include studying key concepts and skill used by effective leaders, observing good models, and by experiencing decision making in a school setting.   EDL 603 Current Problems and Issues 3 cr in Educational Administration Explores problems and issues at the federal, state, and local levels facing the administration and supervision of American educational institutions. Particular emphasis is on decision making affecting education.   EDL 611 Seminar in Educational Human Relations Skills 3 cr Designed to assess and improve the student’s level of competency in communication and group leadership skills, knowledge of sociocultural influences and differences, and understanding of the developmental characteristics of human beings.   EDL 621 Seminar in Program and 3 cr Curriculum Development Designed to assess and improve the student’s level of competency in program development skills, instructional strategies, systems analysis, and change innovation.   EDL 631 Seminar in Educational 3 cr Management Skills Designed to assess and improve the student’s knowledge of decision-making styles, problem-solving processes, leadership skills, implementation of organizational change, and physical environments which promote productivity. Additionally, when appropriate to the candidate’s expected leadership position, current knowledge of law, finance, plant management, and professional negotiations will be stressed.   EDL 690 Special Topics 1-3 cr May be a content-varying course or may be guided supervision in the identification and completion of educational tasks as well as supervision in the organization and application of selected learning activities to acquire and enhance leadership skills. May be repeated for credit when course content varies.   EDL 694 Directed Study in Educational Leadership 3 cr Students explore problems and issues of special interest or significance to advanced students. Not more than three semester hours of any departmental 694 courses can be accepted toward a degree.   EDL 695 Mentoring Leadership 3 cr This course is a learning experience in mentoring relationships. The course provides an opportunity to apply the theories and concepts learned during the student’s advanced graduate studies. The student will learn mentoring skills and serve as a mentor for students interested in educational administration or new to the field of administration.   EDL 699 Research Project 3 cr A supervised field project, study, or investigation in Educational Leadership. The student will conduct an investigation and apply concepts and skills learned during the sixth-year program.   Department of Leadership and Teacher Education College of Education