WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

DIVISION OF Education

SAN ANTONIO Campus

 

Mission:  Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong learning, and service to God and humankind.

 

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:  EDAD 5338 – Communication Skills and Parent

  Involvement

 

TERM AND DATES:  SUMMER 2009 (May 25 – August 8, 2009)

 

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.; all other days by appointment only

 

INSTRUCTOR’S NAME:  Keri L. James, Ed.D.

PHONE NUMBER(S):  (210) 826-7595, ext. 242; (210) 364-8748

E-MAIL ADDRESSES:  kjamesedd@sbcglobal.net; keri.james@wbusa.wbu.edu

 

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Techniques and strategies for involving parents and community are examined in this course.  Focus is on utilizing existing organizations (e.g., PTA, booster clubs, etc.) and developing a public relations program.  School communication is examined from internal and external perspectives.

 

PREREQUISITES:  Graduate Standing

 

REQUIRED RESOURCE MATERIALS: 

 

Kowalski, T.J. (2008) Public Relations in Schools (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Merrill Prentice Hall.

 

Wright, K., Stegelin, D.A & Hartle, L. (2007) Building Family, School, and Community

Partnerships (3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Merrill Prentice Hall.

 

 

COURSE OVEDRVIEW: 

 

During this course, the student will explore contemporary conditions of school public relations; components of educational public relations (from district and campus perspectives); and leadership responsibilities with regard to areas such as planning, working with the media, responding to crisis, and evaluating public relations programs.

 

Course Components

 

The following are representative of concepts regarding school community relations and communication skills that will be included in this course:

 

  • School Public Relations: A New Agenda
  • Changes in Society and Schools
  • Public Opinions and Political Contexts
  • Legal and Ethical Aspects of Public Relations
  • Public Relations in a Communication Context
  • The Social Dimensions of Public Relations
  • Effective Programming at the District Level
  • Effective Programming at the School Level
  • Practice in Private and Nontraditional Public Schools
  • Planning in Public Relations:  Goals and Strategies
  • Working with the Media
  • Responding to Crisis
  • Collecting and Analyzing Decision-oriented Data
  • Public Relations in a Funding Campaign
  • Evaluating Public Relations Programs

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

 

1.                  Three abstracts are required.  Due dates may be found in the in the Tentative Course Schedule.  Each abstract will be one page, double-spaced, with the proper citation (APA) at the top along with your name.  The first paragraph will be a summary of the article.  The second paragraph will be your reaction to the article.  Your reaction must be more than “I agree or disagree with the article.”  A late paper, for any reason, will result in loss of points.

2.                  Each student will conduct a “mock community meeting”.  Possible topics/issues to be addressed during the community meeting will be discussed during the first class meeting.  The community meeting should last approximately 15-30 minutes.

3.                  Each student will develop a useful product (checklist, form, letter, calendar, etc.) to share with the class.

4.                  Two examinations will be given.  Emphasis on both will be on the demonstration of mastery and application of textbook and course concepts.

5.                  Several short case studies/activities will be given over the reading assignments and discussions.

 

(Students are expected to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.  Students should be diligent in preparing effective presentations and summaries.  Spelling and usage errors on written assignments will result in a reduced grade.  Use standard one-inch margins, double spacing, and 12-point type.  For late assignments the grade will be reduced by 20%.  Also, be sure to cite all reference materials used in assignments.) 

 

Student Learning Outcomes:

 

Course Objectives Related to SBEC Standards for Principalship Certification

 

Course content will provide specific focus on the following domains, competencies, and indicators as outlined in the standards document for the principalship according to the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC):

 

DOMAIN I-School Community Leadership

 

Competency 001: The principal knows how to shape campus culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.

 

The principal knows how to:

1.1.2    Ensure that parents and other members of the community are an integral part of the campus culture.

1.1.3    Implement strategies to ensure the development of collegial relationships and effective collaboration.

1.1.6    Use strategies for involving all stakeholders in planning processes to enable the collaborative development of a shared campus vision focused on teaching and learning.

Competency 002: The principal knows how to communicate and collaborate with all members of the school community, respond to diverse interests and needs, and mobilize resources to promote student success.

 

The principal knows how to:

1.2.1    Communicate effectively with families and other community members in varied educational contexts.

1.2.2    Apply skills for building consensus and managing conflict.

1.2.3    Implement effective strategies for systematically communicating with and gathering input from all campus stakeholders.

1.2.4    Develop and implement strategies for effective internal and external communications.

1.2.5    Develop and implement a comprehensive program of community relations that effectively involves and informs multiple constituencies, including the media.

1.2.6    Provide varied and meaningful opportunities for parents/caregivers to be engaged in the education of their children.

1.2.7    Establish partnerships with parents/caregivers, businesses, and others in the community to strengthen programs and support campus goals.

1.2.8    Communicate and work effectively with diverse groups in the school community to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity for educational success.

1.2.9    Respond to pertinent political, social, and economic issues in the internal and external environment.

Competency 003: The principal knows how to act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical and legal manner.

 

The principal knows how to:

1.3.7    Serve as an advocate for all children.

 

DOMAIN II-Instructional Leadership

 

Competency 004: The principal knows how the facilitate the design and implementation of curricula and strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; ensure alignment of curriculum, instruction, resources, and assessment; and promote the use of varied assessments to measure student performance.

 

The principal knows how to:

2.4.5    Facilitate the use of technology, telecommunications, and information systems to enrich the campus curriculum.

 

Competency 005: The principal knows how to advocate, nurture, and sustain an instructional program and a campus culture that are conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

 

The principal knows how to:

2.5.3    Create conditions that encourage staff, students, families/caregivers, and the community to strive to achieve the campus vision.

 

Competency 006: The principal knows how to implement a staff evaluation and development system to improve the performance of all staff members, select and implement appropriate models for supervision.

 

The principal knows how to:

2.6.1    Work collaboratively with other campus personnel to develop, implement, evaluate, and revise a comprehensive campus professional development plan that addresses staff needs and aligns professional development with identified goals.

2.6.5    Use formative and summative evaluation procedures to enhance the knowledge and skills of campus staff.

Competency 007: The principal knows how to apply organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to ensure an effective learning environment.

 

The principal knows how to:

2.7.4    Use strategies for promoting collaborative decision making and problem solving, facilitating team building, and developing consensus.

 

DOMAIN III-Administrative Leadership

 

Competency 009: The principal knows how to apply principles of leadership and management to the campus physical plant and support systems to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.

 

The principal knows how to:

3.9.3    Develop and implement procedures for crisis planning and for responding to crises.

 

MEANS FOR ASSESSING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE OUTCOME COMPETENCIES:

  1. Three abstracts – format as well as content will be assessed
  2. “Mock community meeting”
  3. Useful Product
  4. Classroom activities/case studies to include Blackboard assignments
  5. Midterm and Final examinations

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

1.      Campus Attendance Policy

      The University expects students to make class attendance a priority.  All absences must be explained to the instructor who will determine whether omitted work may be made up.  When a student reaches the number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, the instructor will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the dean at the campus where the course is offered.  Any student who misses 25% or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings may receive a grade of “F” in the course.  Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are considered a part of the university’s attendance policy.  A student may petition the Academic Council for exceptions to the above stated policies by filing a written request for an appeal to the provost/academic vice president.    

 

EVALUATION: Grades for courses shall be recorded by the symbols below: 

 

Grading System:

 

A          90-100                                     Cr        for Credit

B           80-89                                       NCR    No Credit

C          70-79                                       I           Incomplete*

D          60-69                                       W        for withdrawal

F           below 60                                  WP      Withdrawal Passing

                                                             WF      Withdrawal Failing                                                                                 X         No grade given

                                                             IP         In Progress

 

A grade of “CR” indicates that credit in semester hours was granted but no grade or grade points were recorded.

*A grade of incomplete is changed if the work required is completed prior to the date indicated in the official University calendar of the next long term, unless the instructor designates an earlier date for completion.  If the work is not completed by the appropriate date, the I is converted to the grade of F.  An incomplete notation cannot remain on the student’s permanent record and must be replaced by the qualitative grade (A-F) by the date specified in the official University calendar of the next regular term. 

 

Course grading criteria:

 

Assignment

Point value

Points Earned

Article Abstracts

15

 

Mock Community Meeting

15

 

Classroom Assignments/Case Studies

20

 

Useful Product

15

 

Midterm

15

 

Final

20

 

                                Total Points Possible for Course

100

 

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY: 

Wayland students are expected to conduct themselves according to the highest standards of academic honesty.  Academic misconduct for which a student is subject to penalty includes all forms of cheating, such as possession of examinations or examination materials, forgery, or plagiarism.  Disciplinary action for academic misconduct is the responsibility of the faculty member assigned to the course.  The faculty member is charged with assessing the gravity of any case of academic dishonesty and with giving sanctions to any student involved.  The faculty member involved will file a record of the offense and the punishment imposed with the dean of the division, campus dean, and the provost/academic vice president.  Any student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty has the right to appeal the judgment or the penalty assessed.

 

Plagiarism

“Plagiarism — The attempt to represent the work of another, as it may relate to written or oral works, computer-based work, mode of creative expression (i.e. music, media or the visual arts), as the product of one's own thought, whether the other's work is published or unpublished, or simply the work of a fellow student.

  1. When a student submits oral or written work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through use of quotation marks as well. By placing one’s name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgements. A student will avoid being charged with plagiarism if there is an acknowledgement of indebtedness.”

Source: http://www.spjc.cc.fl.us/webcentral/admit/honesty.htm#plag  

 

 

DISABLED PERSONS:

It is University policy that no otherwise qualified person with disabilities be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.  Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities the first class meeting.

          

COURSE SCHEDULE:

 

Class will be held on (Wednesdays/6 p.m.) in (Room 110) unless otherwise noted

Date

Topics/ Activities/Assignments

May 27

Course Requirements/Introduction

Chapters 1-2 (Kowalski)

June 3

Chapters 1-3 (Wright)

 

June 10

Chapters 3-4 (Kowalski)

 

June 17

 

Chapters 5-6 (Kowalski)

Abstract 1 Due

June 24

 

Chapters 7-9 (Kowalski)

 

July 1

 

Midterm

July 8

Chapters 10-11 (Kowalski)

Chapters 4-6 (Wright)

Abstract 2 Due

July 15

Chapter 12 (Kowalski)

Mock Community Meeting

July 22

Chapter 14 (Kowalski)

Chapters 7-8 (Wright)

Abstract 3 Due

July 29

Chapter 15 (Kowalski)

Chapters 9-10 (Wright)

Useful Product Due

August 5

Final Exam

 

(I reserve the right to amend the tentative course calendar as needed.)