This course involves field-based projects addressing each of the state administrator standards and guidelines for a School Business Administrator. The activities will be determined by the student and assigned local mentor with input from the university practicum advisor. Evidence will be provided in the student portfolio, along with their reflections. To start the course the student will provide a prospectus (plan) of the kinds of activities and the approximate number of hours spent on each activity, aligned to the standards.

The superintendent practicum is designed to give students a realistic experience as an aspiring superintendent. Students must choose a minimum of three activities under each of the seven Wisconsin Administrative Standards to perform under the supervision of the students mentor. Students will be required to complete 150 hours of activities in the practicum. Activities will be aligned with the WAS standards: teaching standards, vision of learning, culture of learning, management, collaboration, ethical behavior and the politics of schooling.

Theory and practice will be reviewed as it relates to human resources in the school district. Areas to be covered will be; personnel and benefits, professional development, labor relations, employment agreements and work environment. Reviewing the legal issues related to risk management, contracts, negotiation, etc., will be reinforced during this course.

Seminar attempts to integrate the ideas presented in the core coursework and includes the presentation of the research project and development in EDUC 601 and 602.

This course will focus on both theoretical and application concepts that assist with the day to day responsibilities of the position of superintendent. Concepts that will be reinforced in this course will be management skills, leadership styles, personal vision, shared vision, continuous school improvement process, employment procedures, empowering employees, and providing relevant and meaningful professional development for staff members. Prerequisite: principal license.

This course will focus on the theoretical and application strategies that are needed in the day to day roles and responsibilities of the superintendent. Specific concepts that will be covered in this class will be: the role and responsibility of the superintendent and the school board, allocating and managing resources to support student and staff success, communication skills used to update and communicate with all stakeholders, and relationship building strategies. Prerequisite: principal license.

This course will focus on support systems for the superintendent along with the legal information and resources needed to manage and lead a school district in an efficient and ethical manner. Concepts and strategies that will be covered in this class include support systems available for professional growth, current issues, legal issues (student/staff), state and federal mandates and rules, current local, state, and national issues, and civil and criminal liability issues. Prerequisite: principal license.

The focus of this course is to address factors that affect student learning, model instructional strategies that meet different learning styles, systems thinking, and provide multiple opportunities for student learning. Strategies and programs to identify and address the needs of gifted and talented students, supervision strategies of instruction to improve student achievement, and alternative/multiple methods of assessment. An in-depth analysis of collaborative lesson planning by staff including lesson study will be investigated.

Students will gain an understanding of the legal aspects of education with a focus on administration related applications. Knowledge will be acquired in the areas of education and the legal system, employee rights and obligations, student rights and discipline, tort liability, and public-private school related legal issues. Prerequisite: admission to the educational leadership program.

Students enrolled in this course will gain an understanding of school district level human resource programs and how they apply to the building level. Topics in this course include employee recruitment, selection, and termination; personnel evaluation and supervision; special students; and special services. Additionally, models of staff development will be addressed in this course as well as in courses EDUC 723 and 759. Site based-related activities will be included in this course. Prerequisite: admission to the educational leadership program.