CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK of the
Educational Administration and Supervision (EDAS) Program
The EDAS program is built upon several foundations, including: 1) national (ELCC) and state standards that set targets for high quality programs and describe competencies for Pre-K – grade 12 school administrators; 2) the institutional mission and vision of The University of Toledo and 3) the mission and vision of the Judith Herb College Education.
NATIONAL STANDARDS: The EDAS program is designed to help candidates for degrees and administrative licensure achieve proficiency in the ELCC standards articulated by The National Policy Board for Educational Administration. These standards reflect the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of highly effective school administrators capable of leading elementary and secondary schools toward success for all students within an increasingly diverse society.
STATE STANDARDS: In addition to the national standards for school administrators, EDAS program development is guided by the State of Ohio Standards for Ohio Educators, as developed by the Educator Standards Board (ESB) through Ohio Senate Bill 2 (2004). The Ohio State Board of Education adopted Standards for Principals in 2005. The Ohio standards, though not identical to ELCC standards for principals, are consistent with ELCC standards.
UNIVERSITY MISSION: The mission of The University of Toledo is to improve the human condition; to advance knowledge through excellence in learning, discovery and engagement; and to serve as a diverse, student-centered public metropolitan research university.
COLLEGE MISSION: The mission of the Judith Herb College of Education is to develop highly skilled, knowledgeable, and creative teachers and other educational leaders through high quality undergraduate, graduate and professional development programs. These competent professional educators will have both the knowledge base and experiences to participate fully in creating educational systems that respond fully to the needs of citizens in diverse situations, including the metropolitan community we serve. Programs are grounded in professional standards of excellence and contemporary research reflecting experimentation, innovation, accountability and informed by the wisdom of professional practice. The Judith Herb College of Education is committed to continuous improvement through assessment, inquiry, reflection, and lifelong learning.
EDAS PROGRAM MISSION: The mission of the Educational Administration and Supervision (EDAS) program is to provide a high quality, standards-driven graduate program designed to prepare learner-centered practitioner-scholars for effective leadership of PreK – Grade 12 schools within an increasingly diverse and complex society.
EDAS PROGRAM VISION: The vision of the Educational Administration and Supervision (EDAS) program is to prepare highly skilled and reflective educational leaders for leadership and management focused on learning within diverse educational settings that serve students in grades PreK – Grade 12.
EDAS PROGRAM GOALS: Graduates of the EDAS program will become practitioner-scholars who:
• Embrace and engage others in a vision that promotes the success of all students
• Manage change and create collaborative action on behalf of positive results for all students, communities, and society
• Create a positive culture for learning and advance the use of highly effective practices for instruction, assessment, and educational decision-making, including allocation of resources
• Continue to grow and improve as a professional, and facilitate learning and professional growth across the school community
• Manage skillfully the day-to-day operations and demands of school or district operations to insure a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment
• Engage families and the community as partners in advancing success for all students
• Gain respect for consistently acting with fairness, integrity and in an ethical manner
• Gain trust by consistently meeting obligations and following through with responsibilities
• Thoughtfully consider the wider context (the best interests of the school or district; economic, cultural, social, political, or legal issues) in making professional decisions
• Participate actively within the political and policy-making context in service of students, families, and best educational practice.
EDAS CORE PRINCIPLES:
Metropolitan Focus: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders who understand the challenges in metropolitan schools and other diverse educational settings and who are able to create effective learning environments for all learners in those settings, both student and adult.
Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders who view the multitude of diverse educational settings as sites for action and transformation for the benefit of a more just and equitable society.
Diverse Learners: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders, both entry level and career progressing, to understand how students and adults differ as individuals, as members of cultural groups, and as members of social and political groups. Educational leaders will be able to create learning and institutional opportunities that are equitable and adaptive to these diverse populations. Educational leaders will be prepared to lead organizations that effectively deliver learning opportunities for those individuals who are developing and those who have unique educational needs.
Critical Literacy: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders through a strong academic program that promotes critical analysis and the language of possibility in developing, leading, implementing, and evaluating needed facets to better serve the students and professionals of the schools. All work focuses on the context of schools and society through both practical and theoretical lenses.
Reflective Professional Educators: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders to be reflective professionals who continually evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on students, parents, and other professionals and who actively seek out opportunities for professional development and growth.
Educational Technology: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders who understand, use and support the integration of technology into the classroom, the building, and the district. Technology is infused within the curriculum.
School Based Integrated Services: The EDAS program prepares educational leaders to understand, apply and evaluate integrated school based services that are critical in meeting the needs of students, families, and faculty in our urban learning environments and other communities with economically disadvantaged and at-risk children.
Program values/beliefs: The faculty of the EDAS program embraces:
• The dignity and worth of all individuals;
• Cultural diversity;
• Creativity, individuality, and innovation;
• Academic integrity and excellence;
• Open communication and collaborative decision making;
• Professional and community service;
• The interface of theory and practice;
• Reflective practice focused on continuous improvement.
For more information about the EDAS program at The University of Toledo, contact The Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership at 419-530-2461.
