Based on the belief that language is an essential foundation for learning, this course addresses the typical processes of language acquisition in mono- and multilingual learners. Participants will examine theories of language acquisition and the role that caregivers and educators play in the development of language. In addition, participants will analyze historical, political, educational, social, and emotional factors that influence the socially constructed hierarchies of language varieties. A significant part of the course will be devoted to students who learn English as an additional language. Participants will learn how to use assessment of mono- and multilingual learners to identify appropriate instructional practices for social and academic language use in a range of educational settings. Course participants will also learn about ways of collaborating with families, colleagues, specialists, administrators, and interpreters.

Science for Teachers focuses on developing a science way of thinking and doing in PreK-6th grade classrooms. Each session deepens an understanding that doing science requires direct sensory encounters with the physical world. By experiencing first-hand investigations of physical and biological materials and related phenomena, participants create a range of representations that can uncover existing patterns and concepts. Discussions, readings, and reflective writings deepen and broaden work done with physical materials. Participants will reflect on their own learning as they work to construct meaningful science experiences that respond to the developmental levels of their students and affirm students’ cultural, linguistic, and learning diversity. The course explores evidence-based ways of making sense of the world that support the integration of science inquiry across the curriculum.

This course is designed to increase participants’ awareness and understanding of the educational, social, cultural, political, and developmental implications of disability. The course is meant to help educators recognize and respond to the needs of children and adolescents as part of a broad spectrum of individuals who differ in learning experience and ability. We will examine variations in physical, social, cognitive, and /or behavioral development of learners through a series of questions that link the strengths and challenges of the individual learner with perspectives of school, family, and community. The main course text has a focus on the spectrum of experiences of individuals and families. The course will incorporate issues and questions related to the evaluation and classification of children and adolescents, as well as the legal and philosophical obligations of general and special education teachers. Participants will be expected to identify essential questions to guide their own learning, and to share personal perspectives, research, and critical thinking about the challenges of disability in the context of a diverse learning community. There is a designated fieldwork component included in course requirements. Prerequisite: EDUC 500 or EDUC 502. (Pending approval of the Program Review and Curriculum Committee)

This course is designed to increase participants’ awareness and understanding of the educational, social, cultural, linguistic and developmental implications of disability from historical, legal, and socio-political perspectives. The course will critically examine state and federal special education and disability laws and regulations and their implementation across a range of settings including their intersection with issues of race, class, language and gender. There is an emphasis on understanding how disability is socially constructed at the levels of family, community, school, and the larger society.  Participants apply an understanding of developmental variations to analyze and create accessible learning experiences for children. Prerequisite: EDUC 500 or permission of instructor.

This course is designed to explore a variety of approaches used for the diagnosis, planning, and evaluation of students with disabilities.  Participants will develop a critical understanding of the historical, legal and ethical considerations, appropriate use, mis-use, value, and limitations of standardized assessments including their intersection with issues of race, class, language and gender. Participants will administer and interpret various psycho-educational tests and develop instructional plans to meet the unique needs of children with oral language, reading, writing, and math challenges. Participants will broaden their abilities to incorporate information from diagnostic reports into their teaching.

This course provides head and assistant teachers the opportunity to complete New York State requirements for grade-range experiences and certification after they have completed at least one semester of supervised fieldwork. To meet the required number of student contact hours, teacher candidates are placed in an urban, public educational setting in which they gain classroom experience with children from low socioeconomic levels, immigrant families, and English Language Learners, as well as children with disabilities. They also participate in a series of seminars and complete assignments designed to deepen understanding about these relevant issues. Prerequisite: completion of at least one semester of supervised fieldwork.

This one-credit course provides working teachers, interns, and assistant teachers the opportunity to meet the mandated New York State regulations for certification. The State regulations require teacher candidates to work in an additional grade band level in a high needs public setting, according to the age band of their certification. In addition, there may be an expectation of direct work with English language learners (ELLs) and/or students with IEPs. Graduate students will be placed in appropriate educational programs for at least 50 hours. In addition, graduate students will participate in a series of seminars focused on these classroom experiences

Participants will critically examine historical and current approaches used to teach English grammar in the United States and in other English-speaking countries. Research on the effectiveness of teaching grammar will inform participants as they design learning experiences to support emergent bilinguals’ English proficiency levels (entering, emerging, transitional, expanding, and commanding). Participants will use language assessments and error analyses in order to gauge students’ grammatical needs when speaking and writing and will use this assessment to inform the development of grammar lessons. The course will support participants in using technology for assessment and instruction and will focus the teaching of grammar as a tool for helping students engage more meaningfully in spoken and written discourse across a range of grade levels and content areas.  Participants will study grammars as living, dynamic systems, and through lesson design, they will empower students to consciously use grammars as communication tools in response to particular audiences and situations. Participants will collaborate with classroom teachers and school leaders to integrate grammar lessons into existing literacy units used in schools. Prerequisite: TESL 561.

In this course, graduate students will build upon LEAD 661, furthering their understanding of qualitative research while developing a plan to share their research projects with a broader audience. Prerequisite: LEAD 661. This course is for 2nd-summer Math Leadership students only.

This course is an extension of LEAD 940. During the summer residency, the cohort meets for weekly advisement seminars that include readings that offer students the opportunity to integrate theory with practice in this evolving professional learning community.

This course will provide teachers and leaders with a deeper understanding of the mathematics they need to know to help others refine and deepen math instruction in schools. They will learn how people learn math, and how to meet the mathematical needs of a wide range of learners—both adults and children. This course is grounded in a constructivist approach to learning and teaching. As such, we seek to form a community of learners in which each participant is constructing his or her own understanding of mathematics, and what it means to be teachers and leaders of mathematics. This course is for 1st-summer Math Leadership students only.

This course continues the integration of mathematics begun in MATH 541. Participants study Taxicab geometry and its relationship to Euclidean geometry. Participants explore probability, the relationship between probability and proportional reasoning, the art of equations, and the relationship between functions and their graphs. Prerequisite: MATH 541. Open to 2nd-summer Math Leadership students only, or with permission of instructor and director.

This course examines theory, research, and practice related to organizational development. It covers a wide range of issues related to capacity-building, school vision and culture, and problem solving, and focuses on the relationship between school management and instructional leadership. Students have opportunities to integrate theory and research with administrative practice through readings, small-group work, simulation experiences, observations, interviews, protocols, and case studies.

This course meets New York State certification requirements for School Building Leadership (SBL) internship experiences. Through close work with a faculty advisor and peers, participants apply their learning from coursework to their field experiences, integrating theory and practice as they reflect on their own professional development. Interns work with a site supervisor and are given substantial school-based responsibilities that involve direct interaction and involvement with staff, students, families, and community leaders. Participants develop the capacity to build and support a positive school culture, build teams, enlist collaboration, and plan and sustain change efforts. Graduate students in advisement participate in small-group sessions with their advisors over 18 months. Participants also serve in a summer internship at a site that is different from their usual work site. At the end of supervised fieldwork, each candidate presents a comprehensive portfolio of internship experiences which meets the program’s Integrative Master’s Project requirement.

This course meets New York State certification requirements for School Building Leadership (SBL) internship experiences. Through close work with a faculty advisor and peers, participants apply their learning from coursework to their field experiences, integrating theory and practice as they reflect on their own professional development. Interns work with a site supervisor and are given substantial school-based responsibilities that involve direct interaction and involvement with staff, students, families, and community leaders. Participants develop the capacity to build and support a positive school culture, build teams, enlist collaboration, and plan and sustain change efforts. Graduate students in advisement participate in small-group sessions with their advisors over 18 months. Participants also serve in a summer internship at a site that is different from their usual work site. At the end of supervised fieldwork, each candidate presents a comprehensive portfolio of internship experiences which meets the program’s Integrative Master’s Project requirement.

This course looks at the varied roles and responsibilities of the superintendent/district leader and ties them to the challenges of creating and sustaining dynamic, humane, effective learning communities. It emphasizes the ways that district leaders’ decisions—in such spheres as instructional policy, planning, fiscal and human resources, facilities, legal and equity issues, accountability, and external relationships—affect schools’ capacity to engage students and strengthen achievement. This course is for students in the Aspiring Superintendent Academy Program only.