Renaissance
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Certification Program at The Renaissance Charter School is to prepare individuals to found and lead such schools.
EDA 505. Introduction to Educational Leadership.
An overview of administrative and organizational theory applied to the educational environment. Provides students
with a theoretical and historical understanding of educational goals, structures, politics, governance, financing, and
relations with internal and external constituencies. Emphasis on administrative competencies and planning for
effective change within a complex environment.
A Nation at Risk and No Child Left Behind have documented the desperate condition of many American schools. This
has led to various “waves” of school reform including small and charter schools. Potential leaders of such schools
will study case histories of successful “break-the-mold” schools and their entrepreneurial leaders. Historical
precedents, rural education, as well as the more recent phenomenon of homeschooling add dimension to the unique
challenges of small school leaders. Students will study several theories of leadership that can support heroic efforts
to “unlock” the complex institution of schools. (3 credits)
EDA 503. Leadership in Curriculum Development and Revision.
A course which considers the sources of curriculum decisions and the tasks of curriculum leaders; it includes the
social, philosophical and psychological principles relevant in articulating curriculum; stresses the developmental
processes that affect curriculum planning and revision and addresses the roles of curriculum developers and
supervisors. Special emphasis is given to K-12 articulation with state standards and the integration of
multiculturalism and technology in curriculum improvement.
Small and charter schools have demonstrated encouraging success in overcoming persisting problems in American
education such as the achievement gap. Students will study how the culture and community of these schools
undergird alternative curriculum models. Students will study approaches that have been successful in core
curriculum areas as well as strategies to improve the efficiency of instruction. Course includes the study of
teamwork, Critical Friends Groups methodology, peer evaluation and annual performance portfolios.(3 credits).
EDA 510. Supervision and Teacher Development.
A study of the supervisory relationship with emphasis on competencies in instructional planning, organization and
resource management. Professional development, formative and summative evaluation, team building and
participatory decision-making are considered.
Leaders of small schools and charter schools need strategies to attract, raise, and retain young teachers. There is
increased complexity to teacher work as well as added accountability. Students will study approaches to improve
school tone, help teachers manage classrooms, and ways to enhance professionalization in small schools and
develop teacher leaders. Course includes the study of teamwork, Critical Friends Groups methodology, peer
evaluation and annual performance portfolios. (3 credits).
EDA 540. Education Law
A study of the legal areas which administrators encounter; the legal system and its relationship with the educational
system; types of school organizations in New York State and their structure and functions; employer/employee
relationships and their legal ramifications; student rights and student discipline; due process, including general
principles and applicability of the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment, and procedural
and substantive due process.
Potential leaders of small and charter schools will learn effective strategies that comply with laws and regulations to
establish school discipline plans, personnel policies, working budgets, and instructional support services programs.
Provisions of charter school law will also be taught.
EDA 590 Seminar. Critical Issues in Educational Leadership and Supervision
Discussion of current problems and issues in educational administration and supervision. Topics may include
teachers’, pupils’ and parents’ legal rights and responsibilities, effects of contract administration and school
restructuring, professional development and evaluation, school climate, crisis management, financial reform and
others of interest to students and instructor.
School supervisors must be aware that the complexity and intensity of such controversies will increase as the pace
of school reform accelerates. Students will also study theories of conflict, conflict resolution, and mediation that can
be used to confront controversies within a building.
EDA 550, Practicum on School Finance, Operations, Special Education, and Student Support.
Finance and Operations
An overview of budgeting, record-keeping, certification, pupil transportation and food services, building
maintenance, school law, school safety, parental involvement, Board management, and school governance.
Instructional Support Services.
An overview of special education law, IEPs, 504’s, relationships with Committees of Special Education, meeting the
needs of diverse learners and differentiated instruction, health and disabilities, ESL, early identification of at-risk
learners, integration of general education and special education programs, case management, strategies to help all
students meet standards and Title I programs.
Student Support.
Data-based decision-making, developing master schedules that promote student learning, establishing school-wide
standards for discipline, developing resources to support students with discipline problems. Establishing policies for
grading, suspensions, and special events such as trips.
EDA 585. Workshops on Educational Administration.
A three-session institute that covers mandated training in violence prevention, the conventions of writing that
supervisors must employ, and a capstone event that integrates the theoretical knowledge and practical experiences
of the entire program.