Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction Course Descriptions


ED 6513 What Works in Today's Classroom (3) - Course focuses on principles and practices of effective teaching. The five Core Propositions identified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) are addressed throughout the course.

ED 6523 Classroom Management (3) On-line course through PLS - This on-line course focuses ont hree approaches to classroom management - proactive, responsive, and supportive. The candidate will complete and submit the assignments on-line through Performance Learning Systems (PLS).

ED 6533 Reflective Practice: Descriptive, Analytical & Reflective Writing (3) - This course emphasizes the value of reflection and requires candidates to practice writing using description and analysis. Candidates will be required to describe and analyze student assignments and to reflect on their teaching practices utilizing specific writing skills identified by NBPTS as highly effective.

ED 6543 Assessment (3) - The focus of this course is on the necessity of using assessment as part of the teaching/learning process. Emphasis is placed on authentic classroom assessment as well as on standardized assessment and the relationship of assessment to standards and learning. Students will develop four types of authentic assessment.

ED 5413 Reading Comprehension (3) On-line course through PLS - This course will emphasize assessment of reading practices and provide the candidate with methods to improve research-based instructional strategies to enhance reading comprehension. The students will use ongoing assessments for diagnosing students' needs and for developing and implementing intervention strategies.

ED 6563 School Improvement (3) - The course will focus on using data to improve schools. Candidates will be introduced to specific strategies taht research has shown lead to increased learning.

ED 6573 Mentoring/Coaching (3) - In this course candidates will be taught the value of coaching students, new teachers, and other colleagues. Communication skills will be emphasized. Candidates will create a coaching plan for their schools.

ED 6153 Educational Research and Statistics (3) - Course focus is on the application of principles, methods and techniques of research in education. It includes interpretation, evaluation and use of research as well as an introduction to techniques of refporting research.

ED 6023 Evaluation of Curriculum and Instruction (3) - Curriculum planning which anticipates occupational trends and how that curriculum may respond to the student's lifelong learning needs is studied. Focus will also be on the evaluation of curriculum and instruction programs in the local schools.

ED 6093 Sociology of Cultures/Communities/Schools (3) - Candidates will develop an understanding of the diversity that exists in the local community and how the school should respond promoting the value of local school/community support for district priorities and policies.