Assistant Principal Courses

Participants seeking the Assistant Building Administrator certification must hold a bachelor's degree, and must provide evidence of a minimum of three years' teaching experience. In addition to the "teaching exceptional children in the regular classroom" requirement for any teaching certificate in the state of Maine, those seeking the Assistant Building Administrator certificate must complete three additional courses:
  • EDU 550 School Law for Administrators (Federal and Maine civil rights law and education laws)
  • EDU 551 Organizational Behavior and Change (Organizational Theory and Planning) - Offered Summer 08 - See below for more information
  • EDU 552 Supervision and Evaluation of School Personnel (Supervision  and Evaluation of Personnel)

A fourth course, EDU 553 School Finance for Principals, has been added for individuals interested in Building Administrator certification (Principal). Participants should check the MODE website at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/chaps05.htm for additional non-course requirements for both Assistant Principal (Certificate 045: Assistant Building Administrator) and Principal (Certificate 040: Building Administrator) certification. (Click on Ch. 115, Part II.)

Courses

EDU 550 SCHOOL LAW FOR ADMINISTRATORS This course is a survey of the legal bases of public education in the United States and of contemporary legal issues and  cases affecting the practice of school administration. Although the primary objective is to acquaint the student with the legal principles governing public education in the nation and the State of Maine, special attention will be given to those topics of school law which are, or should be, of immediate concern to the practicing school administrator. These topics include: state laws affecting the administrator, student rights, teacher rights, teacher dismissal, collective bargaining, compulsory education, curriculum, tort liability, student records, employment discrimination, and special education. The student also will be afforded the opportunity to pursue and discuss topics and issues in school law, which are of particular interest or personal concern.

The instructor is Michael Cormier, Superintendent, MSAD 9. 

EDU 551 Organizational Behavior and Change This course is about understanding schools as organizations and how to change them to improve learning for all.  It draws on literature about organizational behavior, culture, change, leadership, learning organizations and professional learning communities. It is designed to promote critical thinking about and planful action toward creating schools that are true learning organizations. The course begins with an overview of diverse models of organizations and moves to a focused examination of culture and its impact on organizational behavior.  Frameworks for understanding organizational change and resistance to change are then explored, followed by critical examination of leadership capabilities and skills necessary to lead successful school change efforts.

The instructor is Margaret Arbuckle.

EDU 551  Organizational Behavior and Change will be offered during the Summer 2008 semester. Classes will meet on June 27, July 10, 11, 24 and 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please click here for a course registration form.

 

EDU 552 Supervision and Evaluation of School Personnel This course provides an overview of supervisory practice in public schools. It draws upon effective schools, effective teaching, teacher and adult development, and supervisory practice literature as a foundation for direct assistance to teachers and general supervisory work.   The course includes Maine State Law regarding hiring and dismissal practices, just cause, contract issues, dismissal, non-renewal, progressive discipline, and compliant investigation.

The Instructor is Sandra MacArthur, Superintendent, MSAD 59. 

EDU 553 SCHOOL FINANCE FOR PRINCIPALS This course presents a comprehensive introduction to resource acquisition, management, and leadership at the school level. Further, it is designed to engage students in exploring the practical realities of resource leadership and to examine in depth their own skills and knowledge in light of their goals for school leadership. 

Specifically, in the course students will: 

1. develop a comprehensive understanding of resource acquisition, management, and deployment as a central part of their leadership effectiveness.

2. understand the procedural and legal parameters for financial and other resource acquisition, management, and deployment.

3. build skills and understanding for leading this dimension of the school effectively.

The instructor is Michael Cormier, Superintendent, MSAD 9. 

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