ASCEND Leadership Academy Courses / Curriculum

» View the complete list of courses and descriptions

The ASCEND Leadership Academy seeks to prepare educational leaders for school leadership through a cohort-based online learning program

• 21 credits — 7 courses
• All courses online

Course Schedule Sequence

NOTE: Summer start term may be approved by Program Coordinator

Winter

• EDL 632 Leading School Improvement
• EDL 633 Data Informed Decision Making

Summer

• EDL 634 School Management and Legal Environment
• EDL 635 Ethics, Diversity, and School Leadership

Fall

• EDL 638 Leader Impact on Student Achievement and Staff Growth
• EDL 639 School/Family/Community Outreach

Winter

• EDL 670 School Building Leadership Capstone

Courses

EDL 632 - Leading School Improvement (3cr)

Designed to give candidates for school building level leadership a background in the processes and procedures of school improvement to improve student achievement. Candidates will examine change theory, school improvement processes, building-level initiatives, leader behaviors to encourage change, and the required school improvement processes and reports.

EDL 633 - Data Informed Decision Making (3cr)

Data Informed Decision Making will assist the school principal in understanding the many uses of data to improve student achievement and to increase school and/or district efficiencies. The student will be exposed to a variety of ways data can be use and also learn about the uses of data collection tools and how to effectively use data teams to assist in school decision making.

EDL 634 - School Management & the Legal Environment (3cr)

This course will examine the function, processes and best practices involved in effective PK-12 school principal leadership for ALL students. This course imparts practical knowledge and experiences in managing school health, safety, and facilities maintenance programs. This course will also prepare candidates to conduct business operations or resource management functions in a K-12 organization and legal and compliance issues affecting educational environments.

EDL 635 - Ethics, Diversity, & School Leadership (3cr)

This course will examine the ethical decision making process in educational leadership and the ethical theories and philosophies that have influenced the ethics of the profession. Students will explore and participate in case analysis of ethical dilemmas and make determinations about the effectiveness of the decision making process. A major focus of this course is for students to reflect on their dispositions and formulate a clear understanding of the multiple ethical lenses that must be considered when making ethical decisions that are in the best interest of the student.

EDL 638 - Leader Impact on Student Achievement (3cr)

This course focuses on the interaction between curriculum, instruction, and assessment as essential to achievement for ALL students. It examines the role of the principal as a facilitator of curriculum design and implementation. Activities and projects in the course provide the knowledge and skills that principals need to understand models and methods of curriculum design, best instructional practices, and alternative methods of student assessment.

EDL 639 - School/Family/Community Outreach (3cr)

This course will focus on theory and research about effective school partnerships. We will explore the concept of school choice and its impact on public schools today. Partnerships between schools, families, and communities will be analyzed with an emphasis on school and community needs assessment, developing action plans, creating school profiles and family profiles, communication and other practical skills, and resources for school leaders to improve community relations and student success.

EDL 670 - School Building Leadership Capstone (3cr)

This course supports students in bringing together all the elements of their learning in the masters program with the presentation of their portfolio and project. Emphasis will be on working with building leaders (principals) and reflective practice as it relates to school leadership. This course must be the last course of the degree program.