Explore the relationship of politics and public policy to schooling in America. Examine the policy making process, interest groups and collective bargaining processes, finance, or the interplay between district, state, and federal bureaucracies. Members will identify key areas of concern for their schools or districts, and make plans to address those issues. Examples of activities include participating in the national conversation with leaders of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, creating a subcommittee to address special education inclusion practices in the district, developing a diversity policy for a school, or working with the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning on a project related to graduation outcomes. The Inclusive Education requirement may be met by taking one of many Inclusive Elective courses offered.
Inclusive offerings change each semester.
New courses are designed each year and include topics such as action-research or inquiry projects, development of an assessment model for teachers, documentation of the growth of the learning community itself, collaboration with the state department on policy development, implementation of a district curriculum project, implementation of Minnesota Graduation Standards, or other personal academic work. Capstone Complete an applied research project, or action-research that represents study and experience to date. The student demonstrates an ability to analyze and synthesize knowledge, integrate theory with educational practice, draw independent conclusions, and communicate the results. The focus of this project can be determined at any point in the program, and the product can be one of several options. Examples might include an assessment process, a curriculum unit, a short study of school site management, a handbook for teachers related to the author's specialty, or a traditional thesis.