Educational Policy and Leadership

Overview

Using a systems approach to understanding leadership, the curriculum combines rigorous and relevant coursework with real-world experiential learning.

The Educational Policy and Leadership program offered by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas , is designed to develop educational leaders who understand the urban environment and the community in which schools exist. Program participants receive a firm foundation of knowledge and skills in order to meet the demands and expectations of school administrators - all within a systems approach for transforming schools within an urban community. 

The Educational Policy & Leadership program is grounded in the belief that PK-12 educational leaders must work alongside other community institutions, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and business and industry, for the well-being of our community's students and families. Twenty-first century urban education leaders must understand the full array of challenges and the interactive and systemic nature of the institutions and organizations they serve.

The Educational Policy & Leadership program meets the requirements for Nevada School Administrator Endorsement and the Nevada Program Administrator Endorsement.

Learning Objectives

Creating and Sustaining a Focus on Learning

• Planning for school improvement

• Monitoring student performance

• Providing opportunities for teacher reflection

• Short and long term planning to facilitate student achievement

Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Continuous Improvement

• Setting expectations for teacher and student performance

• Developing teachers through observation, feedback, and professional development

• Gathering and analyzing data relative to student learning

• Considering diversity of learners, e.g. ethnicity, abilities, and socioeconomic status

Creating and Sustaining Productive Relationships

• Creating environment that respects all stakeholders

• Establishing opportunities for discourse among stakeholders for decision making

• Creating communication processes for partnering with teachers and students

Creating and Sustaining Structures to Support an Effective School

• Aligning curriculum, instruction, and standards

• Allocating resources and developing structures to support school goals for student learning

Managing Human Capital

• Collecting data related to teacher performance

• Using teacher performance data to support effective instruction

• Developing leadership capacity among teachers

Self-Reflection and Professional Growth

• Using feedback from various sources to improve leadership practices

• Seeking opportunities for continuous growth in leadership

Professional Obligations

• Modeling and advocating fair and equitable treatment of all students and their families

• Modeling integrity and honesty while respecting confidentiality

Family and Community Engagement

• Involving parents, families, and community in policy implementation and program planning

• Involving parents, families, and community in school improvement efforts

• Connecting students and families to other social service and community agencies as needed