EDLD+5333+Course+Embedded+Reflection

EDLD 5333 Leadership for Accountability Course Embedded Reflections



**Lamar University – M.Ed. in Educational Technology Leadership**

Reflections of Course-based Embedded Assignments
**//Directions://** In submitting your Course-based Embedded Assignment located in Appendix I of the Internship Handbook, you are required to complete a reflection of the identified assignments in your course wiki/e-portfolio. These reflections will be used to assist you in completing your EDLD 5388/5370 (*Please note that course number changes in Fall 2010*) Internship comprehensive exam final report. Students should use and cite their textbook references as well as two additional references when writing each reflection. The reflection must consist of statements regarding the knowledge you gained from the assignment and how the assignment helped you master the Technology Facilitator Standard(s) /Indicator(s).
 * == Course Number:  == || ==  Course Name:  == || ==  Course-based Embedded Hours  ==

(see Appendix I)
||
 * EDLD 5333  ||   Leadership for Accountability   ||   10 hours   ||
 * == Description of the  ==

(see Appendix I)
||  || Create an action plan for the campus. Develop an agenda for a professional development day that addresses the targeted campus needs and include a timeline for follow-up professional development.
 * **Course EDLD 5333 Leadership for Accountability:**

Within the last few years the buzz words on my campus have been //data// and //accountability//. I have not understood the impact of these words in entirety until I was enrolled in this course and went through the process of completing the assignments. On my campus I went through the motion of looking at our campus data, however, I don’t think I got the big picture. Each week as I completed different aspects of using data I learned the importance of how data can help in improving instruction, curriculum, and student achievement. “Using data can help principals and their teams establish school improvement goals, decide what educational programs may be appropriate for students and their instructional needs, guide curriculum development and revision, monitor students’ progress and provide them with feedback on their performance, determine the kinds of professional development activities that are most beneficial, guide resource allocation, and provide the feedback that teachers and administrators need to stay the course.” (Parsley, Dean, & Miller, 2006, pp.38-39)With the yearly state standardized test result report the school has the ability to see the areas that they could improve. “Ongoing conversations around data are an important way to increase staff capacity to both understand and carry out school improvement work.” (Boudett, City, & Murname, 2006, p.54) I recall looking and analyzing the disaggregated report from my campus to identify the achievement gaps between any subgroups. This activity made us be aware the need for improvement. Through this process of identifying we were able to implement new programs. This experience came valuable during this course because I was able to reflect and put into perspective. I was also able to share my experience in the Discussion Board with the fellow Lamar colleagues. The course work also challenged me to see things from an administrator’s perspective. As a teacher my experience and responsibility dealing directly with data has been within the professional development time. But as an administrator the responsibility goes beyond the activity of analyzing data. Administrator is responsible for envisioning a path for the entire school’s success. Those decisions should be guided by data and not by random decisions. That is why it is critical for administrators to work collaboratively with teachers and participate actively in site-based decision making process.
 * Analyze campus needs based on Adequate Yearly Progress(AYP) campus reports.
 * Compare campus AYP data to AYP standards.
 * Analyze and develop a personal leadership vision statement.
 * Analyze Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) report and summarize campus report.
 * Develop S.M.A.R.T. goals and objective based on AEIS campus report.
 * Create a campus action plan based on data.
 * Development an agenda for professional development day.
 * Reflect on Site-Based Decision Making.
 * Reflect on the next step for the Action Plan. || **__Self-Assessment__**

**__Learn as a Learner__** Although I do not have any immediate plans to become an administrator the course assignments gave me an opportunity to role play as an administrator who had to analyze data, develop Campus Improvement goals and objectives, develop action plans to meet these goals, and develop an agenda for a professional development day. The assignments were tremendous learning experience because it gave me a better understanding of how I can support my administrators in the decision making process. The Discussion Board added to my learning curve since my Lamar colleagues were coming from various positions in the schools. It was interesting to hear from teachers and administrators perspectives.

**__Lifelong Learning Skills__** As I’ve learned throughout the courses and definitely including this one, being an educational leader is a very difficult position. I’ve learned that educational leaders must be flexible and stay current with the laws and regulations. Teachers and administrators must be willing to learn and grow as more and more demands are placed on schools. “ A state could jeopardize federal funding for its schools and children if it categorically rejects the goals embodied in NCLB by refusing to implement a system of standards, assessments, and accountability.” ( The Education Trust, 2004, p.6)I’ve also learned that methods, strategies, technology, and laws may change but the focus of teaching the students the best way possible should never change. ||
 * References  || Boudett, K., City, E., & Murname, R. (2006). The “data wise” improvement process: Eight steps for using test data to improve teaching and learning. //Principal Leadership//, //7//(2), 53-56.

Parsley, D., Dean, C., & Miller, K. (2006). Selecting the right data. //Principal Leadership//, //7//(2), 38-42.

The Education Trust (2004//). The ABCs of AYP: Raising achievement for all students//. ||